AirDuo Discontinuation: What Providers and Prescribers Need to Know in 2026

On July 9, 2025, Teva Respiratory discontinued the AirDuo RespiClick brand in the United States — affecting an estimated patient population relying on this fluticasone propionate/salmeterol multidose dry powder inhaler (MDPI) for asthma maintenance therapy. As a prescriber, you may be fielding questions from patients whose pharmacies no longer carry AirDuo RespiClick, or who have already received the authorized generic without knowing what changed.

This guide covers the clinical and practical implications of the AirDuo RespiClick discontinuation, options for transitioning patients, and how to minimize disruptions to asthma control.

Background: What Was Discontinued and Why

AirDuo RespiClick was Teva's brand-name ICS/LABA combination inhaler: fluticasone propionate (55, 113, or 232 mcg) combined with salmeterol (14 mcg per dose), delivered via a breath-activated multidose dry powder inhaler. The AirDuo Digihaler (with Bluetooth sensor) had already been discontinued in June 2024 when Teva exited the smart inhaler market entirely.

The July 2025 discontinuation of the RespiClick brand was a voluntary business decision, not a safety recall or regulatory action. No FDA shortage declaration has been issued for the active ingredients, as Teva continues to manufacture and distribute the authorized generic.

The Authorized Generic: Clinical Equivalence Confirmed

Teva continues to manufacture and distribute the authorized generic: Fluticasone Propionate and Salmeterol Inhalation Powder (MDPI). This is not simply a bioequivalent alternative — it is the identical formulation, the identical inhaler device, and the identical strengths as AirDuo RespiClick (55/14, 113/14, 232/14 mcg). No dosage conversion is required. No new inhaler technique instruction is needed.

From a clinical standpoint, updating a patient's prescription from "AirDuo RespiClick" to "Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI" (same strength, same manufacturer) requires no additional clinical assessment. It is a label change, not a therapeutic change.

Prescribing Action Items for Your Practice

To minimize disruption for your patients, consider the following steps:

1. Update standing prescriptions. Any prescription written as "AirDuo RespiClick" should be updated to allow dispensing of the authorized generic (Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI, Teva) or any FDA-approved fluticasone/salmeterol MDPI.
2. Check DAW (Dispense As Written) flags. If any prior prescriptions were written with DAW-1 (brand medically necessary), update them to allow generic dispensing to avoid pharmacy fills being blocked.
3. Communicate proactively with patients. Many patients will receive the authorized generic from their pharmacy without understanding why the label changed. A brief message or patient education handout can prevent unnecessary alarm or non-adherence.
4. For patients who cannot access the authorized generic, consider transitioning to an equivalent ICS/LABA. See dose conversion guidance below.

ICS/LABA Alternatives with Dose Guidance

When transitioning patients to a different ICS/LABA combination, use the following clinical reference points:

• Advair Diskus (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol): 100/50, 250/50, or 500/50 mcg BID. AirDuo 55/14 ≈ Advair 100/50; AirDuo 113/14 ≈ Advair 250/50; AirDuo 232/14 ≈ Advair 500/50. Different inhaler device (Diskus); patient will need re-education on technique.
• Wixela Inhub (fluticasone/salmeterol Diskus generic): Same dose equivalencies as Advair Diskus above. $10/month savings card for commercially insured patients.
• Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol): 80/4.5 or 160/4.5 mcg, 2 inhalations BID. Pressurized MDI. No direct equivalency table available; clinical judgment required for dose selection based on ICS step.
• Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol): 100/25 or 200/25 mcg QD. Once-daily dosing advantage. Note that fluticasone furoate has higher glucocorticoid potency per mcg than fluticasone propionate; dose accordingly.

Insurance and Formulary Considerations

The authorized generic of AirDuo RespiClick is covered on most commercial and Medicare Part D formularies, typically at Tier 1 or Tier 2. In many managed care plans, the formulary preference has shifted entirely to the generic, meaning patients may face lower copays than they were paying for the brand.

If switching to a different ICS/LABA class drug (Symbicort, Breo Ellipta), check the patient's formulary tier first. Some plans require step therapy requiring a generic ICS/LABA (such as fluticasone/salmeterol) before covering a different class combination inhaler. The AirDuo discontinuation may create clinical justification to waive step therapy requirements.

How medfinder Can Help Your Patients

Patients who are having trouble locating the authorized generic at pharmacies near them can use medfinder for providers as a resource to refer patients to. medfinder contacts pharmacies on the patient's behalf to find which ones have their inhaler in stock. This is especially useful for patients in areas where independent and chain pharmacies have inconsistent supply.

See also: How to help your patients find AirDuo in stock: a provider's guide.