Breo Ellipta vs Symbicort
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Breo Ellipta
Fluticasone/Vilanterol
Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline
Symbicort
Budesonide/Formoterol
Manufactured by AstraZeneca
Breo Ellipta costs 0% less per claim than Symbicort ($221.00 vs $222.00). A generic version of Breo Ellipta is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Breo Ellipta | Symbicort |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $221.00 | $222.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $1.2B | $1.9B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 680,000 | 1,120,000 |
| Total Claims | 5,240,000 | 8,460,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $1,700.00 | $1,675.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -4.3% | -6.4% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | GlaxoSmithKline | AstraZeneca |
| Condition | Asthma/COPD | Asthma/COPD |
| Generic Name | Fluticasone/Vilanterol | Budesonide/Formoterol |
Breo Ellipta vs Symbicort: What the Data Shows
Breo Ellipta (Fluticasone/Vilanterol) and Symbicort (Budesonide/Formoterol) are both used to treat asthma/copd. Based on Medicare Part D data, Breo Ellipta costs $221.00 per claim, which is 0% less than Symbicort at $222.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $1.2B on Breo Ellipta and $1.9B on Symbicort. In terms of patient reach, Symbicort serves more beneficiaries (1,120,000 vs 680,000).
Year-over-year spending changed -4.3% for Breo Ellipta and -6.4% for Symbicort.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Patients should discuss generic alternatives with their pharmacist to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Breo Ellipta is cheaper at $221.00 per claim, compared to $222.00 for Symbicort. That makes Breo Ellipta about 0% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Breo Ellipta and Symbicort are used to treat asthma/copd. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Generic Fluticasone/Vilanterol and generic Budesonide/Formoterol can offer significant cost savings — typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $1.2B on Breo Ellipta covering 680,000 beneficiaries, and $1.9B on Symbicort covering 1,120,000 beneficiaries.
Explore Further
Cost data reflects Medicare Part D spending and may not represent retail pharmacy prices. Average cost per claim represents the total drug cost (not patient out-of-pocket) divided by total claims. This comparison is informational only and should not replace medical advice.