Common Affordable Asthma and COPD Medications
high drug prices
Recent reports from the CDC show over 25 million people in the United States suffer from asthma. Of those 25 million, 10.3 million people report at least one asthma attack over the course of a given year.
During an attack, an asthmatic’s airways become inflamed and swollen, causing them to have trouble breathing. Their chest tightens. They cough and wheeze. This sensation is disruptive, painful, and can be deadly. Each year, over 3,500 people die from complications related to asthma.
An even higher number of people die annually from complications due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 15 million people in the United States are affected by COPD — a set of chronic lung conditions that (much like asthma) can cause people to have a hard time breathing.
Fortunately, there are medications, such as the Advair Diskus and the Symbicort Turbuhaler, which can provide life-saving relief from both asthma and COPD symptoms.
Unfortunately, these necessary asthma and COPD medications are priced out of many people’s reach. In recent years, the cost of inhalers for COPD and asthma has skyrocketed. If you’re wondering how much an inhaler costs, the answer is simple: Too much. Especially if you live in the U.S.
Americans seeking safe, affordable medications can purchase asthma and COPD inhalers at NorthWestPharmacy.com for as much as 83% in savings.
The High Cost of Inhalers for COPD and Asthma
To manage their symptoms effectively, most people with asthma or COPD require both a long-term treatment (such as a daily corticosteroid) and a fast-acting rescue solution. This combination helps prevent breathing issues and provides life-saving relief in the midst of a severe respiratory attack.
Since both of these non-optional treatments are so expensive in the United States, at NorthWestPharmacy.com, we find a significant percentage of our customer base is searching for inhalers.
If you or a loved one has asthma, you need to be able to find and purchase this necessary medication without breaking the bank. But oftentimes, they’re priced exorbitantly and are sometimes even out of stock.
Here are some popular asthma and COPD medications that you can purchase at NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Advair HFA Inhaler Cost
The Advair HFA Inhaler (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate) is a metered-dose inhaler. It’s used to treat symptoms of asthma and chronic bronchitis, but not necessarily COPD. The Advair HFA Inhaler delivers an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid and a bronchodilator straight into your respiratory system. These two active ingredients work together to reduce airway inflammation and relax the smooth muscle cells surrounding your airways.
While the Advair HFA Inhaler is a maintenance medication (not a rescue inhaler) it can help reduce the number of asthma attacks you experience. This one puff, twice-daily prescription medication is approved for patients as young as 12 years old.
In the United States, you can purchase one brand-name Advair HFA Inhaler for $390.00. Each inhaler contains 120 doses. This works out to $3.25 per dose.
Alternatively, you can purchase Advair HFA inhaler for $125.00, or about one dollar per dose — a savings of about 68%.
Want to save even more? Buy the generic for $77.00, or $0.60 per dose.
QVAR Inhaler Cost
The QVAR Inhaler (beclomethasone dipropionate) is a metered-dose inhaler that contains an inhaled corticosteroid, much like the Advair HFA inhaler. However, it does not contain an additional muscle dilator, which can offer a more streamlined treatment strategy.
The QVAR Inhaler can help prevent asthma symptoms like wheezing and coughing. It can also help allergic responses and triggered asthma attacks if taken twice daily as a long-term preventative medication.
In the U.S., a generic equivalent to QVAR costs about $325.00 for 120 doses or $2.70 per dose.
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy one brand-name QVAR inhaler for $80, or about $0.60 per dose — a savings of about 80%.
If you’d like to save even more, you can purchase the generic version at NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $54.00 — or only $0.45 per dose.
Incruse Ellipta Cost
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) is a dry powder inhaler prescribed for patients with COPD. Its active ingredient is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist which can help keep airways open. Typically, Incruse Ellipta is used in conjunction with an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid inhaler. Your doctor will help you figure out which combination of medications is best for you.
As a dry powder inhaler, Incruse Ellipta delivers medication to a patient’s lung through deep inhalation, without any propellants. Since it’s dependent on this specific breathing strategy, this once-daily medication is often prescribed to older patients, not kids.
In the United States, you can purchase 30 doses of brand-name Incruse Ellipta for $415.00 — almost $14.00 a dose.
Alternatively, at NorthWestPharmacy.com, you save over 75% by purchasing the same product for $101.00, or about $3.00 per dose.
Dulera Inhalation Aerosol Cost (Dulera is known as Zenhale in Canada)
Dulera Inhalation Aerosol (mometasone furoate/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) is a pressurized metered-dose inhaler. Dulera contains both a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and a long-acting beta-agonist to relax your muscles.
This is a newer drug, and it may have fewer side effects than other, similarly working prescription medications. While you do have to take Dulera twice every day, it may also be more cost-effective than several of its alternatives.
However, Dulera is not for children under 12 years of age.
In the U.S., you can purchase 120 doses (about a two-month supply) of Dulera for approximately $230.00 — about $2.00 per dose.
At NorthWestPharmacy, you can buy the same amount of Dulera with almost 20% savings, starting at $192.00, or $1.60 per dose.
Singulair Cost
Singulair (montelukast) isn’t an inhaler. Instead, it’s a once-per-day tablet for adults containing a leukotriene receptor antagonist. This active ingredient works to mitigate asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, sneezing, shortness of breath, and watery eyes.
Montelukast, the active ingredient, is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. It helps with symptoms like watery eyes, sneezing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing over the long term.
This means Singular is an excellent option for maintenance treatment, but you will still need a fast-acting inhaler to provide relief during an asthma attack.
In the United States, name-brand Singulair isn’t widely available. Fortunately, you can find it at NorthWestPharmacy.com starting at 28 tablets (a one-month supply) for $81.00, or about $2.90 a dose.
QVAR Redihaler Cost
The QVAR Redihaler (beclomethasone dipropionate) is a twice-a-day metered-dose inhaler. If ‘QVAR’ is ringing a bell, it’s because we mentioned the QVAR Inhaler earlier on this list.
While the two therapies feature the same anti-inflammatory active ingredient, the Redihaler uses a breath-actuated dose inhalation system. This eliminates a patient’s need for navigating hand-breath coordination while administering their medication. You don’t have to prime, shake, or use a spacer. You can just open the cap of the Redihaler, inhale, and close the device.
In the United States, you can purchase one 120-dose inhaler for $256.00, or just over $2.00 per dose.
At NorthWestPharmacy, you can buy the QVAR Redihaler with 66% savings for $86.00, or $0.71 per dose.
Alvesco Cost
Alvesco (ciclesonide) is a soft mist inhaler. It works by releasing a fine spray of the medication with every dose. Alvesco’s active ingredient, ciclesonide, is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, much like QVAR.
Every medication works a little differently, though, and produces varying side effects in every individual. It’s important to work with your doctor to determine which prescription medication is right for you.
Ciclesonide is a pro-drug, in that it changes from ciclesonide to des-ciclesonide when you inhale it. This second substance is an active metabolite. Des-ciclesonide can reduce inflammation and swelling in your airways. It can help treat and manage headaches, joint pain, irritation of the nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections.
In the United States, you can purchase 120 doses of Alvesco for $288.00, or $2.40 per dose.
Alternatively, you can purchase the name-brand medication at NorthWestPharmacy.com for just $91.00, or $0.75 per dose — a savings of 68%.
Cost of Daliresp (known as Daxas internationally)
Daliresp (roflumilast) is a tablet, much like Singulair, which is prescribed to provide adults with COPD relief from any associated breathing or respiratory issues.
The active ingredient in Daliresp, roflumilast, can increase the cellular factors causing inflammation. This may provide an alternative route to relief if more directly anti-inflammatory drugs have not worked for you.
Daliresp can, in some rare cases, cause mood problems. Some have noticed Daliresp may lead to a heightened feeling of nervousness or anxiety. Be sure to tell your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your mood.
Daliresp is taken once daily with water, at about the same time each day.
In the United States, you can purchase 30 tablets — a one-month supply — of Daliresp starting at $431.00, which works out to be more than $14.00 per dose.
Or, you can buy the same quantity of Daliresp at NorthWestPharmacy.com for $129.00, or $4.30 per dose — a 70% savings.
Combivent Respimat Inhalation Spray Cost
Combivent Respimat Inhalation Spray (ipratropium bromide/albuterol) is a slow-moving mist inhaler that treats COPD symptoms with two active ingredients: an anticholinergic drug, and a beta-2 agonist.
Together, these help relax the muscles around your airway and dilate your blood vessels, allowing you to breathe more easily.
While Combivent does need to be taken four times a day, you only need one puff or inhalation per administration. The Respimat inhaler doesn’t need to be shaken before inhaling.
You can purchase a one-month supply, or 120 doses, of Combivent Respimat Inhalation Spray in the United States for $490.00 — over $4.00 per dose.
Alternatively, at NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can purchase the same amount of brand-name medication starting at $240.00, or $2.00 per dose — a savings of just over 50%.
Arnuity Ellipta Cost
Arnuity Ellipta (fluticasone furoate) is a corticosteroid dry powder inhaler. By delivering an anti-inflammatory drug directly into a patient’s respiratory system once per day, Arnuity Ellipta can help prevent future asthma attacks.
In some rare cases, Arnuity Ellipta may cause your airways to spasm one you’ve taken the medication. Some doctors recommend pairing Arnuity Ellipta with a fast-acting medication to mitigate this effect. Your doctor will help you determine which route or pair of medications will work best for you.
After you’ve taken Arnuity Ellipta, always rinse out your mouth to avoid any oral infections. It can take about two weeks to experience the intended benefits of Arnuity Ellipta.
In the United States, you can purchase 30 doses of brand-name Arnuity Ellipta for $245.00, or just over $8.00 per dose.
For 65% savings, you can purchase Arnuity Ellipta at NorthWestPharmacy.com starting at $87.00 for 30 doses, or about a one-month supply.
How to Save Money on Asthma/COPD Meds Through an Online Canadian Pharmacy
At NorthWestPharmacy.com, we understand the costs for asthma and COPD care are already steep — and it’s unlikely that they’ll stop increasing anytime soon. When you realize you’ll require both a long-term maintenance medication and a fast-acting rescue inhaler, it’s clear your bills will be stacking up for the foreseeable future.
If your prescription medication costs are forcing you to put up with a medication that doesn’t work well for you — or if you’re foregoing your medication completely — we have the solution for you.
Prescription medications such as asthma/COPD meds are often far cheaper in Canada. It can be scary to trust an online Canada pharmacy with your day-to-day health, which is why we’re so diligent about our safety standards.
In order to keep you safe, we follow guidelines determined by two professional organizations specifically set up to monitor online Canadian pharmacies: the International Pharmacy Association of British Columbia (IPABC) and the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA).
We can help you find the prescription asthma/COPD meds you need. We know this can be stressful. Our friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives can chat with you to provide helpful resources, order your needed medications, connect you with a pharmacist who can help you understand your prescription, and more.
Give the team at NorthWestPharmacy.com a call at 1-866-539-5330, and we’ll provide you with the support you need. We look forward to helping you save money on your prescription COPD and asthma medications!
