A popular asthma inhaler will be discontinued in January. Here's what to know.

Flovent, a popular steroid inhaler used to treat and control asthma symptoms in children and adults, is being discontinued next week as its manufacturer prepares to roll out a generic version of the medication. 

Starting on Jan. 1, 2024, GlaxoSmithKline will stop manufacturing Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus. In its place, the biopharmaceutical company will produce a generic version of the prescription inhaler featuring an identical formula and drug-delivery mechanism, GSK said in a statement last fall posted by the Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). 

While GSK says Flovent's generic makeover will "provide patients in the U.S. with potentially lower cost alternatives of ... medically important products," some medical professionals aren't convinced. According to some experts, the switch-up could negatively impact patients' pocketbooks and their health.