How to Help Your Patients Find AirDuo in Stock: A Provider's Guide

Since Teva discontinued AirDuo RespiClick in July 2025, pulmonologists, allergists, and primary care providers have fielded a surge of calls from patients who can't find their inhaler. The solution in most cases is straightforward — the authorized generic is still available — but many patients don't know to ask for it, and some prescriptions still specify the discontinued brand name.

This guide provides practical strategies to help your patients stay on fluticasone/salmeterol therapy without gaps in coverage — and tools you can recommend to make the process easier.

Step 1: Audit Your Active AirDuo Prescriptions

Run a report from your EHR for active prescriptions for AirDuo RespiClick. Any prescription still written as "AirDuo RespiClick" (particularly with DAW-1/brand necessary) may be blocking the pharmacy from dispensing the authorized generic. Proactively updating these to allow the authorized generic — Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI — will prevent patients from hitting a wall at the pharmacy counter.

If your EHR system still lists AirDuo RespiClick as an active drug option, notify your pharmacy team to add the authorized generic to your formulary favorites or prescribing shortcuts.

Step 2: Provide Patients with the Right Terminology

A major contributor to patient confusion is that the authorized generic has a different name. Arm your patients with the exact phrase to use at the pharmacy:

"I need Fluticasone Propionate and Salmeterol Inhalation Powder, the MDPI version, by Teva — it's the authorized generic of AirDuo RespiClick."

Many pharmacists will recognize this immediately. Having this printed on a handout or sent via your patient portal message can prevent unnecessary callbacks to your office.

Step 3: Recommend medfinder for Pharmacy Locating

For patients who are struggling to locate the authorized generic at their usual pharmacy, medfinder is a valuable resource you can refer them to. The service contacts pharmacies near the patient to check which ones have their specific medication and strength in stock — then texts the results directly to the patient.

This is particularly helpful for patients in rural areas, those with limited mobility who can't drive to multiple pharmacies, and older patients who may find it difficult to navigate pharmacy websites or hold for pharmacy staff.

Step 4: Identify Patients Who Need a Therapeutic Switch

Some patients may be on formularies or assistance programs that no longer cover fluticasone/salmeterol MDPI, or they may have difficulty with the RespiClick device technique. Use the following framework to identify who needs a switch:

• Patient can access authorized generic: No change needed clinically. Update prescription to allow generic dispensing.
• Patient can't find MDPI generic locally, adherent to therapy: Consider Advair Diskus or Wixela Inhub (same ingredients, Diskus device). Counsel on new inhaler technique.
• Patient has insurance/formulary barriers: Consider Symbicort (widely covered, generic available) or Breo Ellipta (once-daily, good adherence profile). Prior auth may be required.
• Uninsured/underinsured patient: The authorized generic is approximately $100–165 cash. With GoodRx, prices can be as low as $55–72. Wixela Inhub savings card ($10/month for commercially insured) is another option.

Step 5: Address Patients Experiencing Asthma Gaps

Any asthma patient who has gone without their ICS/LABA for more than a few days should be assessed for worsening disease activity. Key warning signs to monitor:

• Increased rescue inhaler use (>2 days/week)
• Nocturnal awakenings with cough or wheeze
• Decreased activity tolerance or exercise-related symptoms
• Peak flow readings below personal best

Patients who missed more than a week of their maintenance inhaler may require a short course of oral corticosteroids to re-establish control, followed by resumption of ICS/LABA therapy.

Summary Action Checklist for Providers

• Audit active AirDuo RespiClick prescriptions and update to allow authorized generic
• Provide patients with the correct generic name to use at the pharmacy
• Refer patients having trouble locating their inhaler to medfinder.com
• For patients needing a therapeutic switch, check formulary coverage before prescribing
• Proactively assess patients who may have missed doses — document and treat any worsening control

Visit medfinder for providers to learn how to streamline medication access for your patients. For a full clinical deep dive, see our provider guide to the AirDuo discontinuation.