Combivent Patient Assistance Programs

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Several patient assistance programs are available to help patients pay for their Combivent. In most cases, patients must demonstrate financial need and not have insurance that covers Combivent to qualify, although Medicare is okay in some instances.

Combivent is a prescription drug that combines two medications: albuterol sulfate and ipratropium bromide. It is used to treat symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema and usually results from smoking cigarettes. Combivent can help stop bronchospasms that cause muscles to tighten and restrict breathing.^[1]

Because the Combivent aerosol inhaler utilizes environmentally threatening chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, a propellant, Combivent will be replaced in July of 2012 by a new format, Combivent Respimat, that has been approved by the FDA.^[2]

Contents 1 Combivent Information 2 Combivent Patient Assistance Programs 3 Patient Assistance Program Overview 4 References

Combivent Information

Combivent is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. The inhaler provides two different medications that can together provide greater relief than either one individually. Combivent is used by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. These time-release drugs relieve bronchial spasms that cause wheezing and difficulty breathing.^[1]

As with all substances, Combivent users may experience side effects from the drugs, including infections in the throat, nose and ears, as well as headache, coughing and breathing trouble.^[1] Those who exceed recommended doses are at risk for life-threatening effects, including potentially fatal cardiac symptoms.^[5]

Combivent Patient Assistance Programs

There are several patient assistance programs to help users pay for Combivent inhalers. Application forms are available in doctors' offices and online, or patients may order them by phone.^[4] Applications in Spanish are also online.

• The Boehringer Ingelheim CARES Foundation Patient Assistance Program provides up to a 90-day supply of Combivent, which they send to the doctor's office for dispensing. The program phone number is 800-556-8317. Patients eligible for this program must have no prescription drug insurance, be U.S. citizens or legal residents, and meet certain income standards.^[3]
• Members of the Boehringer Ingelheim CARES Foundation Patient Assistance Program For Medicare Beneficiaries must be eligible for Medicare Part D coverage and may carry it. The program is only available to U.S. citizens and legal residents and applicants must meet certain low income standards. The program phone number is 800-556-8317.^[3]
• The HealthWell Foundation Copay Program covers U.S. residents with health insurance who still have difficulty paying for their medications. The program accepts those who earn at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level. The program phone number is 800-675-8416.^[3]
• The umbrella organization RxHope Savings Card works with many pharmaceutical companies to provide a central online location for information on many medical savings opportunities, including federal and state programs. Patients may apply online and then print up a savings card from home.^[6]

Patient Assistance Program Overview

Also See: Patient Assistance Programs, Drug Coupons, Combivent Side Effects, Combivent Coupons, Combivent, Advair Diskus Patient Assistance Programs, Symbicort Coupons, Albuterol Coupons

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} http://www.combivent.com/index_whatis.html
2. ↑ http://us.boehringer-ingelheim.com/news_events/press_releases/press_release_archive/2010/april_13_2010.html
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5} http://www.needymeds.org/drug_list.taf?_function=name&name=Combivent
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} http://us.boehringer-ingelheim.com/our_responsibilty/patients_families.html
5. ↑ http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.Label_ApprovalHistory
6. ↑ https://www.rxhope.com/faq.aspx