Why Is Breyna So Expensive? Ways to Save on Asthma Inhalers

Breyna is the first FDA-approved generic version of Symbicort, and for a generic medication, its price does not always match what people expect at the pharmacy. This happens often in the United States, where prescription medications are often expensive. In fact, research consistently shows that people in the U.S. pay more for prescription drugs than those in many other developed countries. For example, in 2022, the average price of U.S. medications was nearly 2.8 times higher, with brand-name drugs costing more than 4 times the international average.

This is where generic drugs are meant to help, as they are designed to offer more affordable options and make long-term treatment easier to manage. However, in the U.S., the Breyna inhaler can still cost over $250 for a one-month supply on average. For some people, asthma and COPD treatment costs through the Breyna Inhaler can add up to nearly $3,000 per year.

At this point, you may wonder: Why does Breyna cost so much despite being a generic medication? And are there simple, practical ways to lower the cost of the Breyna inhaler without affecting your care? This article walks you through those answers clearly, calmly, and with helpful facts along the way.  

What Is Breyna and How Does It Work?

Breyna is a prescription inhaler that contains two active ingredients: 

• budesonide
• formoterol fumarate dihydrate

It comes in two strengths: 80 mcg/4.5 mcg and 160 mcg/4.5 mcg. The Breyna inhaler is handheld and has a built-in dose counter to track your usage.

Breyna is usually prescribed for two main purposes:

• To control and prevent asthma symptoms in people aged 6 and older.
• To maintain breathing function in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

It’s important to note that Breyna is not for sudden breathing problems.

Symbicort has been a trusted inhaler for asthma and COPD treatment since 2006. The FDA approved Breyna in 2022 as a generic alternative. This means it has the same active ingredients and meets the same quality standards as Symbicort.

The active ingredients in Breyna work together to reduce inflammation and keep airways open. This makes breathing easier for people with long-term lung conditions.

Now that we understand what Breyna is and how it works, let’s take a look at its cost in the U.S.

Breyna Cost Overview

A 120-dose Breyna inhaler can cost as high as $350 when paying out of pocket. For many Americans, that is a significant expense, even though Breyna is generally cheaper than the branded version.

For comparison, the brand-name inhaler Symbicort costs about 25% more on average. Retail prices at the same pharmacies typically exceed $400 for a 30-day supply of Symbicort. 

Because of a savings gap of around 25%, many healthcare providers may suggest Breyna over Symbicort. Let’s take a closer look at the factors that contribute to the high cost of Breyna.

Breyna Price Breakdown: What Drives Its Cost Up

The following factors highlight what drives the cost of Breyna higher in the U.S.

The U.S. Doesn’t Regulate Prescription Drug Prices

In the United States, the government doesn’t set price limits or negotiate what drug companies can charge for most medicines, including inhalers like Breyna. That’s very different from countries like Canada. In Canada, Government agencies can review and control drug prices to keep them in check. Because the U.S. lacks a broad framework for government-led drug price regulation, pharmaceutical companies can largely set prices based on what the market will bear, which may lead to higher costs for patients.

Market Forces Determine Drug Prices

Unlike in Canada, where governments negotiate drug costs directly, American drug makers are free to set prices independently. This “free market” approach means that list prices can climb much higher, even if the actual cost to make the medicine is the same as in other countries. This is one of the reasons why the Breyna inhaler costs more in the U.S.

The Role of Insurers and Middlemen

U.S. prescription pricing involves multiple intermediaries, including insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). These middlemen negotiate rebates and discounts behind the scenes. While they’re supposed to lower costs, studies show that rebates can actually encourage higher list prices, because PBMs earn more when prices are higher.

Manufacturers may raise list prices to provide bigger rebates and secure favorable insurance placement, which indirectly keeps prices high.

Breyna vs Symbicort Cost – Which Is Cheaper?

We’ve already seen that the Breyna inhaler cost without insurance is generally lower than Symbicort at the pharmacy counter. Pricing data from U.S. pharmacies already show that the brand-name Symbicort can carry a high retail price. In such a situation, Breyna’s entry into the market offered some financial relief for patients who pay out-of-pocket. However, since prescription drug prices in the U.S. aren’t government-regulated, the cost of Breyna Inhaler can still add up for many people. 

The table below provides a quick comparison of Breyna and Symbicort prices in the US.

Ways to Lower Your Breyna Inhaler Price

Managing the cost of Breyna doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There are several strategies you might use to lower what you pay out of pocket. These range from taking advantage of savings programs to considering licensed international Canadian Pharmacies that often offer significant discounts on both brand-name and generic medications.

Coupons & Manufacturer Savings Programs

Coupons and manufacturer savings programs are designed to help you save money on your prescription costs. However, not everyone is eligible to use them. And, even if you are eligible, there are some downsides. These programs often only work with brand-name drugs, which may lead people to choose more expensive options instead of cheaper generics. Over time, this can make overall drug prices higher and even affect insurance costs. While coupons and manufacturer programs might help a little, they are not enough to make medications like the Breyna inhaler truly affordable.

Order Breyna from Licensed Canadian Pharmacies

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of the Breyna inhaler is by ordering it from online Canadian pharmacies. Research shows that prescription drug prices in Canada are often significantly lower than in the United States, with studies reporting savings of 50% to 75% on many brand-name and generic medications compared with U.S. pharmacy prices. Americans importing prescriptions from certified Canadian pharmacies often report average monthly savings of several hundred dollars. 

To do this safely, you must use a pharmacy that is licensed and regulated, such as those certified by the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA), which requires a valid prescription from a doctor before dispensing medications.  You cannot just buy Breyna or any other medications without a prescription, as the pharmacy reviews your doctor’s prescription before filling it.

You can buy Breyna for as low as $3.75 per puff from a Canadian pharmacy through Doctorsolve.com

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is Breyna more expensive than Symbicort?

Yes, Breyna is a generic version of Symbicort and is usually priced lower. The final cost can vary based on pharmacy pricing, insurance coverage, and location.

Why are inhalers like albuterol and Breyna so costly?

In the U.S., inhalers like albuterol and Breyna are costly because the government does not set price limits or negotiate prescription drug prices. This free-market approach allows manufacturers to set prices largely on their own.

What is the most expensive asthma inhaler?

Research shows that combination inhalers containing both an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and a long‑acting bronchodilator are the priciest. In the U.S., some branded products like Breztri Aerosphere have list prices near $600+ per inhaler, much higher than simpler inhalers or generics.

Does insurance cover Breyna?

Many insurance plans do cover Breyna. However, coverage depends on your specific plan, and some insurers may require prior authorization or place it on a higher tier with different copays.

Conclusion

Overall, Breyna, as a generic alternative to Symbicort, can still make asthma or COPD treatment a noticeable expense. Fortunately, there are ways to manage high Breyna costs effectively. You can consider using savings programs or manufacturer coupons only if you are eligible. These programs may help reduce costs, but they often come with restrictions, such as being limited to brand-name drugs and many others. 

One of the best ways to ensure consistent savings and reliable access to Canadian pharmacies is through DoctorSolve.com, a CIPA-certified Canadian online pharmacy intermediary that delivers prescription medications safely to your doorstep.

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