Combivent is a combination medication (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) that is used to treat patients with COPD. Combivent Respimat is a bronchodilator; drugs such as these widen the bronchi and are used for the alleviation of asthma or asthma-like symptoms. Combivent Respimat is a very expensive drug without insurance: depending on the pharmacy you use, Combivent Respimat can cost upwards of $389.46 WITH a coupon. With the cost of bills and daily expenses, this is an unwelcome dollar amount for anyone suffering with COPD. Living without insurance can be a struggle, which is the reason we founded The RX Helper. With help from pharmaceutical companies and doctors, we can offer patients over 1,500 FDA-approved and brand-name medications for uninsured and under-insured patients. With no generic equivalent for Combivent, your prescription for Combivent can add up to thousands of dollars over the course of a year.
What is COPD?
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and is a very serious lung disease. By blocking the airflow to the lungs and increasing the difficulty of breathing, COPD causes irrepairable damage to the lungs. Some of the most common conditions that qualify a COPD condition are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Bronchitis occurs when the lining of the bronchial tubes become inflamed. Characterized by a substantial daily cough and increased mucus production, COPD and emphysema is most often caused by cigarette smoke and other environmental factors. In developing countries, exposure to fumes from fuel used for heating and cooking can cause COPD if the home is poorly ventilated for a long period of time.
Only 20-30% of cigarette smokers may develop COPD; however, our best advice is to stop smoking immediately if you have been diagnosed with this condition. Smoking will only worsen the condition and will not allow your body the much needed time to repair some of the damage done. COPD can cause irreversible lung damage if it is not treated with medication and smoking cessation.
Symptoms of COPD
Generally speaking, symptoms of COPD do not occur until much later in a patient’s life. This is because symptoms do not become apparent until significant damage has occurred to the lining of the lungs. If you have a number of the symptoms below, we recommend a visitation to your doctor, as well as smoking cessation if you are a smoker:
- A bluish tint to the skin (known as cyanosis) due to lack of oxygenation
- Wheezing, excessive coughing and chest tightness
- If walking up the stairs or physical activity causes shortness of breath
- Ankle, feet or leg swelling
- Excessive respiratory infections
Prescription Assistance for COPD
If you or a loved one is suffering from COPD, immediate treatment is needed. This includes prescription treatment with Combivent, smoking cessation, daily exercise, and a healthy diet. Our company, The Rx Helper, was founded to help solve your problem. We assist the uninsured and under-insured by providing their prescription medication for a fraction of the price that the drug usually goes for. We work with health care providers, pharmaceutical companies, and doctors to help deliver the medications you need for a price that won’t take out a second mortgage. By working with patient advocacy groups, we give the uninsured a much needed voice in America. To find out if you qualify, contact us for a free consultation.
