What if I Can’t Afford My Asthma Medication

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Asthma inhalers and other types of respiratory medications vary in price.

A plain white background with no discernible objects or features.
  1. Shop around
  2. Contact the medication manufacturer
  3. Discuss alternatives with your doctor

Some asthma medications are expensive while others are more affordable. Many are covered by health insurance, but this will depend on what type of insurance plan you have or if you have insurance at all.

It’s very important to use your asthma medications as prescribed. Ask your doctor for help you so you don’t go without taking your medication and your asthma symptoms worsen.

If you cannot afford the cost of your asthma medications, you can:

Shop around – at pharmacies and online.

Compare prices at other pharmacies or check prices at GoodRx, SinglecareMedical Assistance Tool, Amazon Pharmacy, WebMDRx, and NeedyMeds.

In 2024, drug companies Boehringer Ingelheim and AstraZeneca voluntarily capped patient out-of-pocket costs for their inhaler products at $35 per month. In addition, AstraZeneca reduced the list price for Symbicort®.

Go generic.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a generic version of your prescription medication is available. Generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name asthma drugs, are equally as safe and effective, and cost less. Two membership-based online websites offer cost savings for generic medications:

  1. Amazon Prime members can obtain eligible generic medications for one flat fee of $5 per month through its Amazon Prime RxPass benefit.
  2. Mark Cuban CostPlus Drug Company offers a limited number of  generic medications at cost to members. The company says it cuts out the many middlemen involved in the sale of prescription drugs and instead buys them directly from pharmaceutical companies and sells them almost at cost.

If a pharmacy doesn’t regularly stock a certain generic asthma medication, ask if it can be ordered for you at no additional cost.

Contact non-profit organizations that help uninsured and under-insured people

If you are uninsured or under-insured, non-profit organizations and foundations are available to help reduce financial barriers. Organizations that help uninsured people include NeedyMeds, RX Assist, RX Hope, Accessia Health, and Partnership for Prescription Assistance. Organizations that help the under-insured include the Healthwell Foundation and Patient Advocate Foundation.

You should never pay fees or provide your credit card information to any assistance program.

Compare total out-of-pocket cost from one asthma medication to another.

Sometimes prices of medications will vary. Depending on whether you have insurance that covers your prescription, switching to another device may save you money. Just remember: if you do switch asthma medications, learn how to use the new device since they all operate a bit differently. Read the package instructions and watch the training videos on the manufacturer’s website to familiarize yourself with proper use of the medication you bring home.

Contact the manufacturer for patient assistance programs.

Some pharmaceutical companies offer coupons, discounts and rebates.

Note: Teva is no longer offering patient assistance or coupon programs for the following medications: ProAir® Digihaler™, ProAir® RespiClick, ArmonAir™ Digihaler™, AirDuo® Digihaler™, AirDuo™ RespiClick® and QVAR® Redihaler™. If you want to contact Teva about these asthma inhalers, visit Teva’s website for Patient Assistance Programs or call 888-838-2872.

Use the list below to contact drug companies and find out about their patient assistance programs and discounts.

If you are still unable to afford the prescribed medication, talk with your doctor. It’s very important to take your medication as prescribed. Be sure to ask your doctor for help you so you don’t go without taking your asthma medication or other respiratory medication.


Short-acting beta2-agonist bronchodilators


Proventil® HFA

Manufacturer: Merck

Contact:

https://www.merckhelps.com

855-257-3932

$15 off Out of Pocket Expense


A gray asthma inhaler with a red and white cap sits upright on a white background.

Ventolin® HFA

Manufacturer: GSK

Contact:

https://www.gskforyou.com

888-825-5249


Long-acting beta2-agonist bronchodilators


A single-use, transparent plastic ampoule with a narrow neck, possibly for liquid medication or eye drops, on a white background.

Brovana®

Manufacturer: Novartis

Website: https://www.novartis.com/us-en/patients-and-caregivers/patient-assistance

Contact: 888-669-6682


A transparent glass test tube, tilted and empty, on a white background.

Perforomist®

Manufacturer: Viatris

Website: https://www.viatris.com/en-us/lm/united-states/patient-assistance-program

Patient Assistance Program Application: https://www.viatris.com/-/media/project/common/viatris/pdf/us/pap-medicine-drop-down/pap-app-cr-v4.pdf

Contact: 888-417-5780


A green dental floss dispenser with a circular shape, featuring a split opening at the top and a central white label displaying text.

Serevent® Diskus®

Manufacturer: GSK

Website: https://www.gskforyou.com/

Contact: 800-745-2967


A gray and yellow inhaler with a clear bottom section. The label shows dosage information and text. The inhaler is upright against a white background.

Striverdi® Respimat®

Manufacturer: Boehringer Ingelheim

Website: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/bi_cares_patient_assistance_program

Mail-in form to Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Inc.: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/sites/default/files/us/2023-01/bi_cares_pap_application.pdf

Contact: 800-556-8317


Inhaled corticosteroids


Two asthma inhalers with red caps stand upright. They are enclosed in brown plastic holders, with visible brand labels and dosage information on the canisters.

Alvesco® HFA

Manufacturer: Covis

Website: https://www.alvesco.us/savings-card

Pay as little as $60.

Contact: 844-749-1023

 


Three inhalers with orange caps are displayed. Each has a white, curved base with labels in different colors: yellow, pink, and white, indicating different medication strengths or types.

Arnuity® Ellipta®

Manufacturer: GSK

Website: https://www.gskforyou.com/

Contact:

800-745-2967


Three blue asthma inhalers with red caps are displayed. Each has different labels corresponding to dosage types, indicated by varying colors at the top: green, orange, and brown.

Asmanex® HFA

Manufacturer: Organon (part of Merck)

Website: https://www.activatethecard.com/8043/#

Pay as little as $15 per prescription.

Contact: 800-727-5400


Image of two cylindrical inhalers. The one on the left has a pink label, and the one on the right has a blue label. Both inhalers are standing upright on a white background.

Asmanex® Twisthaler®

Manufacturer: Organon (part of Merck)

Website: https://www.activatethecard.com/8043/#

Pay as little as $15 per prescription.

Contact: 800-727-5400


Two white inhalers are displayed with brown caps and labels indicating doses. One inhaler is labeled with a purple and white design, and the other with a green and white design.

Pulmicort Flexhaler®

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Website: https://www.azandmeapp.com/prescriptionsavings/

Contact:

800-AZandMe (800-292-6363)


Pulmicort Respules®

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Website: https://www.azandmeapp.com/prescriptionsavings/

Contact: 800-AZandMe (800-292-6363)


Combination Medications


Three Advair Diskus inhalers in purple cases are aligned side by side. The labels indicate doses of 100/50, 250/50, and 500/50 micrograms.

Advair Diskus®

Manufacturer: GSK

Website: https://www.gskforyou.com/

Contact:

800-745-2967


Three purple medical inhalers are lined up side by side. Each inhaler has a different colored band on the top—green, yellow, and red.

Advair® HFA

Manufacturer: GSK

Website: https://www.gskforyou.com/

Contact:

800-745-2967


Three containers of Sensodyne toothpaste are displayed. Each has a blue cap and a distinct color label: yellow, blue, and pink, featuring "Pronamel" text along with varying product details.

Breo® Ellipta®

Manufacturer: GSK

Website: https://www.gskforyou.com/

Contact:

800-745-2967


A green asthma inhaler with a blue cap and silver canister, used for administering medication to manage respiratory conditions.

Breyna™

Manufacturer: Viatris

Website: https://www.viatris.com/en-us/lm/united-states/patient-assistance-program

Patient Assistance Program Application: https://www.viatris.com/-/media/project/common/viatris/pdf/us/pap-medicine-drop-down/pap-app-cr-v4.pdf

Contact: 888-417-570


Dulera®

Manufacturer: Merck

Website: https://www.dulera.com/savings-offer/

Eligible patients pay as little as $15.

Contact: 800-727-5400


Two Symbicort inhalers with red and white components are placed side by side. The labels display dosage information, with color-coded yellow and blue sections for differentiation.

Symbicort®

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Website: https://www.azandmeapp.com/prescriptionsavings/

Contact:

800-AZandMe (800-292-6363)


Inhaler packaging labeled "Wixela Inhub" with dosage information and a QR code. The casing is triangular and gray.

Wixela™ Inhub™

Manufacturer: Viatris

Website: https://www.viatris.com/en-us/lm/united-states/patient-assistance-program

Patient Assistance Program Application: https://www.viatris.com/-/media/project/common/viatris/pdf/us/pap-medicine-drop-down/pap-app-cr-v4.pdf

Contact: 888-417-5780


A red and white inhaler with a dose counter displaying "30". The brand name "Anoro" is visible, along with "ELLIPTA" and dosage information. The inhaler has a curved design with a prominent red cap.

Anoro® Ellipta®

Manufacturer: GSK

Website: https://www.gskforyou.com/

Contact:

800-745-2967


Bevespi Aerosphere®

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Website: https://www.bevespiaerosphere.com/patient-assistance-and-savings.html

Eligible commercially insured patients may pay as low as $0 per month.

Contact: 844-327-3401


Stiolto™ Respimat®

Manufacturer: Boehringer Ingelheim

Website: https://patient.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/products/stiolto/savings-and-support/sign-up-for-savings

Eligible patients pay as little as $0.

Contact: 844-449-4704


Two inhaler medication containers with beige caps, featuring dark blue and yellow labels. Both show "30 doses" and "mcg" details on the front. The design has a sleek, rounded shape.

Trelegy® Ellipta®

Manufacturer: GSK

Website: https://www.trelegy.com/savings-and-coupons/

Eligible patients pay as little as $0.

Contact: 888-825-5249


A gray and yellow asthma inhaler with a labeled canister and dose counter at the top.

Breztri Aerosphere®

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Website for BREZTRI Zero Pay: https://www.breztri.com/savings-support/zero-pay-program

Savings card: Eligible people pay as little as $0 per month.

Contact: 833-458-0440


Inhaler with an orange cap and a clear base, containing medication for respiratory conditions. The label displays instructions and dosage information.

Combivent® Respimat®

Manufacturer: Boehringer Ingelheim

Website for Savings Card: https://patient.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/combivent/savings-support

Eligible patients pay as little as $10.

Contact: 800-867-1052


A white Ventolin inhaler with a teal label and a dose counter at the top, used for asthma relief.

AirSupra®

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Website: https://www.azhelps.com/content/dam/website-services/us/293-azhelps-com/pdf/airsupra-savingcard.pdf

Savings card: Eligible people pay as little as $0* per month.

Contact: 866-480-0030


Muscarinic antagonist (anticholinergic) bronchodilators


Image of a metered-dose inhaler with a green cap and a visible label.

Atrovent® HFA

Manufacturer: Boehringer Ingelheim

Website: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/bi_cares_patient_assistance_program

Mail-in form to Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Inc.: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/sites/default/files/us/2023-01/bi_cares_pap_application.pdf

Contact: 800-556-8317


Inhaler for respiratory medication, featuring a grey and green plastic body. Contains 30 doses, marked with dosage and branding details.

Incruse® Ellipta®

Manufacturer: GSK

Website: https://www.gskforyou.com/

Contact:

800-745-2967


Oval-shaped Spiriva HandiHaler device for inhaling dry powder medication, featuring a gray body with a transparent window and a light blue button on the side.

Spiriva® HandiHaler®

Manufacturer: Boehringer Ingelheim

Website: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/bi_cares_patient_assistance_program

Mail-in form to Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Inc.: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/sites/default/files/us/2023-01/bi_cares_pap_application.pdf

Contact: 800-556-8317


Two inhalers are depicted side by side. The one on the left has a blue cap, and the one on the right has a green cap. Both have labels and clear sections at the bottom, set against a white background.

Spiriva® Respimat®

Manufacturer: Boehringer Ingelheim

Website: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/bi_cares_patient_assistance_program

Mail-in form to Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Inc.: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/sites/default/files/us/2023-01/bi_cares_pap_application.pdf

Contact: 800-556-8317


An inhaler device with a white body and green mouthpiece. The label reads "Tudorza Pressair" indicating it's for asthma or COPD treatment, with a dosage of 400 mcg. The inhaler is positioned with the mouthpiece facing left.

Tudorza™ Pressair™

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Website: https://www.tudorza.com/savings-program.html

Eligible patients pay as little as $0.

Contact: 844-749-1023


A transparent, plastic syringe-like instrument with measurement markings along the side. The cylindrical structure narrows to a closed tip at one end, and a wider, open end at the other.

Yupelri®

Manufacturer: Viatris

Website: https://www.viatris.com/en-us/lm/united-states/patient-assistance-program

Patient Assistance Program Application: https://www.viatris.com/-/media/project/common/viatris/pdf/us/pap-medicine-drop-down/pap-app-cr-v4.pdf

Contact: 866-255-9018


Biologics (Severe Asthma Treatments)


A clear glass vial with a blue cap labeled "CINQAIR (reslizumab) Injection, 100 mg/10 mL." The text indicates it is for intravenous infusion use and includes dosage information.

Cinqair

Manufacturer: Teva

Website: https://www.tevasupportsolutions.com/patients/financial-assistance/

Contact: 877-237-4881


Four medical syringes with different colored caps and labels, arranged upright against a white background.

Dupixent

Manufacturer: Sanofi and Regeneron

Website: https://www.dupixenthcp.com/patient-support/dupixent-myway

Contact:

844-387-4936


An injectable syringe and a medical pen injector are displayed side by side against a white background. The syringe has a needle cap, while the pen injector appears labeled with medical information.

Fasenra

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Website: https://www.fasenra.com/savings-support

Eligible patients pay as little as $0.

Contact: 833-360-4357


The image shows a medical syringe and a test tube. The syringe has a plunger with a transparent barrel, and the test tube has a yellow cap with a label. Both are positioned against a white background.

Nucala

Manufacturer: GSK

Website: https://www.nucala.com/severe-asthma/steps-to-start/coverage-options/index.html

$0 co-pay program.

Contact: 844-468-2252


A medical syringe and a tube of topical adhesive gel are placed side by side on a white background. The syringe is transparent with a clear body, while the tube has an orange cap and visible branding and text.

Tezspire™

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Website: https://www.tezspire.com/savings-and-support.html

Eligible patients pay as little as $0.

Contact: 888-897-7473


Two metallic pens shaped like syringes, one in blue and the other in purple, are displayed on a white background.

Xolair

Manufacturer: Genentech Novartis

Website: https://www.xolair.com/allergic-asthma/financial-support/assistance-options.html

Includes Xolair co-pay program; Independent Co-pay Assistance Foundations; The Genentech® Access to Care Foundation (GATCF)

Contact: 866-422-2377


PDE4 Inhibitors


Image of a bottle of Daliresp (roflumilast) tablets, 500 mcg per tablet. The bottle is white with blue and orange text. Contains 30 tablets.

Daliresp®

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Website: https://www.daliresp.com/savings-program.html

$25 savings program.

Contact: 866-459-2015


Leukotriene Modifiers


A small white bottle with a purple label displaying "Singulair" and "10 mg." The label also lists "Montelukast Sodium," and the bottle is designed for oral tablets.

Singulair®

Manufacturer: Merck

Website: https://www.merckhelps.com

Contact: 855-257-3932

Can’t afford your medication?

The Allergy & Asthma Network has a series on helping to afford medication for asthma, allergies, and related conditions. More will be coming as they become available.