Affording Allergy/Asthma Meds

If you're worried about the price of your medications, have you been tempted to try cutting your pills in half, or taking only one puff a day instead of two?

Not taking asthma and allergy medications could result in a devastating and very expensive outcome. Asthma and allergies are chronic conditions that require ongoing management. Your allergist prescribed your medications based on your specific needs and to keep your symptoms under control. Straying from the plan could lead to severe asthma symptoms and the need for costly emergency room treatment.

Millions of Americans are scrambling to devise strategies to balance medication costs against declining incomes and possible loss of health insurance. The problem is serious enough that roughly one in four Americans surveyed for a Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation's Health Tracking Poll said they did not fill a prescription over the past year due to cost. Nearly the same number reported that they sometimes cut pills in half or even skipped doses to save money.

Don't stop taking your preventative asthma meds just because you can't afford them. And don't stop taking them just because you feel good after not taking them for a week. Asthma can pretend to not be there at times and then can suddenly reappear.

Talking to your allergist can help you with this problem. For example, ask your allergist if the medication's manufacturer offers rebates, discount cards or coupons. Many do. Ask what other sources to check out. Get connected.

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