Combivent Respimat<\/a> is a combination of the drugs albuterol and ipratropium, commonly prescribed to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)\u2014a group of pulmonary medical conditions (like chronic bronchitis) that make breathing difficult. As a bronchodilator, Combivent Respimat comes in an inhaler and can help open constricted airways. It can sometimes be expensive, and although there are no over-the-counter or generic versions, there are still some potentially cheaper alternatives. Plus, we\u2019ve got tips on how to save, even if you don\u2019t have insurance.\u00a0<\/p>\n Generic drugs are often more affordable than their brand-name references, but unfortunately, there are no current generics for Combivent Respimat. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a generic mixture of ipratropium and albuterol<\/a>\u2014Combivent Respimat\u2019s active ingredients\u2014for use by COPD patients.\u00a0<\/p>\n They may be prescribed as two separate inhalers or as part of a nebulizer treatment. Nebulizers are machines that turn liquid medications into a mist that you inhale through a mask. They\u2019re effective, but they\u2019re larger than inhalers, take 5\u201320 minutes to administer the medicine, and require a power source, so they\u2019re less convenient to use on the go.\u00a0<\/p>\n For people who don\u2019t have insurance or Medicare\u2014or whose plans don\u2019t cover Combivent Respimat\u2014the average retail price is $676 for a 4 gm of 20\u2013100 mcg\/act inhaler with 120 inhalations. The typical dosage is four inhalations per day<\/a>, so that\u2019s around a month\u2019s worth of medication. In comparison, the generic ipratropium-albuterol<\/a> combo costs an average of $149 out of pocket and as low as $7 with a SingleCare coupon.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not an across-the-board price, though. It can vary based on the specific pharmacy you use, your dosage, and even where you live.\u00a0<\/p>\n Many times, yes. However, your out-of-pocket costs depend completely on your specific insurance plan. Some may cover it in full, while others may only cover part of the price. Check your plan\u2019s formulary for information on copays, coinsurance, and deductibles to get a better sense of what you might pay after insurance.\u00a0<\/p>\n Coverage may depend on how your plan classifies Combivent Respimat as well. \u201cInsurance companies have a tier system on medications,\u201d says David Nazarian, MD<\/a>, founder of My Concierge MD<\/a>. \u201cThe higher the [tier], the more out of pocket you typically have to pay.\u201d Drug tiers vary between plans, so check your formulary to see where Combivent Respimat falls.<\/p>\n If your coverage isn\u2019t sufficient, you can speak with a healthcare provider about alternative drugs that might come at a lower cost. Only the generic nebulizer solution, or a combination of an albuterol inhaler and an ipratropium inhaler, contains the same ingredients as Combivent Respimat. The other inhalers listed below contain different forms of medication that may be used to treat COPD.<\/p>\nWhat is the generic for Combivent Respimat?<\/h2>\n
How much does Combivent Respimat cost without insurance?<\/h2>\n
Is Combivent Respimat covered by insurance?<\/h2>\n