How Much Do Asthma Medications Cost Without Insurance?

More than 7% of adults and 8% of children suffer from asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Indeed, asthma is a serious medical condition, resulting in more than 1 million emergency room visits each year. So it is essential to take your asthma medication exactly as prescribed. Here is a look at how much asthma medications cost without insurance, and how you can save on asthma medications whether you have insurance or you don’t have insurance.

How much do asthma medications cost without insurance?

The cost of asthma medications depends upon the type of medication you’re prescribed, which pharmacy you purchase it from, and whether or not you use a prescription drug coupon. Some asthma medications may be less than $10 per month when you use an RxSaver coupon.

The RxSaver coupon price for generic Singulair starts at $13.36 for 10 mg and 30 tablets.

Common Asthma Medications

Medications used to treat asthma work in one of two ways. They are either taken regularly to prevent asthma attacks or they are taken to treat asthma attacks once they happen.

Common Medications That Prevent Asthma Attacks

The best way to manage your asthma is to prevent asthma attacks. Medications that prevent asthma attacks are taken regularly. Common medications that prevent asthma attacks include:

Budesonide (generic Pulmicort) Budesonide/Formoterol (generic Symbicort) Montelukast (generic Singulair) Fluticasone/Salmeterol (generic Advair Diskus)

Common Medications That Treat Asthma Attacks

If you have an asthma attack, you need medicine that acts quickly to open your airways and help you breathe. Fast-acting medications that help stop asthma attacks include:

Albuterol HFA (generic for ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA, Proventil HFA) Methylprednisolone (generic for Medrol) Levalbuterol (generic Xopenex)

How to Save on Asthma Medications Without Insurance

You can save money on asthma medications if you do not have insurance. Just follow these simple steps.

1. Request a generic medication from your health care provider
2. Compare pricing at various pharmacies
3. Use an RxSaver coupon

When you use RxSaver to compare prices at various pharmacies, you may discover a pharmacy with better pricing near you. It is easy to switch pharmacies to save money on prescriptions. Follow these simple steps to switch your pharmacy.

Common Asthma Medications and Prices

Can You Buy Asthma Medication Over the Counter?

No. Asthma medications require a prescription from your health care provider. You must purchase them from a pharmacy in the United States.

How Do Different Asthma Medications Work?

Asthma medications help control your asthma in different ways based on the type of drug you use. There are five types of medications commonly prescribed to treat asthma. They are:

• Inhaled corticosteroids
• Inhaled long-acting beta-agonists
• Leukotriene modifiers
• Inhaled short-acting beta-agonists
• Oral corticosteroids

Inhaled Corticosteroids

Inhaled corticosteroids help prevent asthma attacks by preventing and reducing swelling in the airways. They work better when you use them regularly. Fluticasone (generic Flovent HFA) is an example of an inhaled corticosteroid.

Inhaled long-acting beta-agonists

Beta-agonists work by relaxing the smooth muscles in the airways, which allows air to move more freely in and out of the lungs. Long-acting beta-agonists are used in combination with a corticosteroid. Examples of inhalers in this category include fluticasone/salmeterol (generic Advair Diskus), and budesonide/formoterol (generic Symbicort).

Leukotriene modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers help control asthma by preventing the airway’s smooth muscles from constricting and reduce swelling in the airways. Montelukast (generic Singulair) is a commonly used medication in this category.

Inhaled short-acting beta-agonists

These medicines work quickly to stop asthma attacks by relaxing the smooth muscles in the airways. Medications in this category include albuterol (generic ProAir, Ventolin, and Proventil) and levalbuterol (generic Xopenex).

Oral corticosteroids

Oral corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone (generic Medrol), help control severe asthma by reducing swelling in the airways.

Ask Your Health Care Provider About Generic Options

If you’re prescribed a brand-name asthma medication, ask if a generic option may be available. Generic medications are typically 80-85% cheaper than their brand-name counterparts, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Always Check RxSaver Before Filling Your Asthma Prescription

Before filling a prescription for asthma medication, or any other medication, check RxSaver. RxSaver offers prescription coupons for more than 6,000 medications. You can find RxSaver coupons on the website, or in the free RxSaver app. RxSaver coupons can be used if you do not have insurance, or in place of your insurance if the coupon price is better than your insurance copay. RxSaver is free to use, and does not require a membership.

Albuterol: 2.5 mg/3ml / 30 vials

Budesonide: 0.5 mg/2ml / 30 ampuls

Budesonide/Formoterol Fumarate Dihydrate: 160-4.5mcg / 1 aer w/adap

Fluticasone Salmeterol: 113-14 mcg / 1 aer pow ba

Levalbuterol: 1.25mg/3ml / 30 vials

Methylprednisolone: 4 mg / 1 tab ds pk

Montelukast: 10 mg / 30 tablets

*Lowest online price at national pharmacy chains Costco, CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens and Walmart as of 4/20/2021. Prices vary by location and pharmacy, see RxSaver.com for actual pricing in your area.