I have suffered with asthma for 40 years now.   I have used Ventolin for at least 35 years.   I am no longer able to get ventolin as I am told by the pharmacy it is on "back order"    I have tried proair and a generic ventolin called apotex.   NEITHER of these work for me.   At 50.00 a pop ( that is with insurance)  it is very expensive to try these new inhalers only to find they don't work as well as  Ventolin.   GSK..... Please bring back Ventolin !!!!!    This is not like it is an elective drug...... I NEED it to breathe 

thank you

Heather1 posted:

Wow!!!! I have been fighting for three months to get my Proair inhaler back because of how Ventolin does NOT work!!! They just finally approved an override yesterday because I refused to use it anymore. At the doctors office two days ago and they made me use the Ventolin after I repeatedly said no. It didn't help and I was immediately back at the pharmacy trying to get my other inhaler back... I've gone over three months without a decent inhaler because of this. I am furious!! I have been saying for months that the Ventolin DID NOT WORK... 

I can't believe u prefer proair over ventolin!!!!!   I would die if it wasn't for my ventolin inhaler!!!!!    Proair does nothing for me!!!!!

Thanks!

Hi @Carrottop50, sorry to hear that your medicine is no longer covered and that the doctor is unwilling to help with an appeal. We have a couple of resources that might you:

What to Do If You Can't Afford Your Asthma Medicines

Health Insurance 101 for People With Asthma and Allergies (Video and Resources)

I'd also like to invite you to our asthma forums where you can connect with others for support.

I can only use the Ventolin and the Ins. won't cover it now and gave me Pro Air and it doesn't work for me! Now I don't have an inhaler that works and I'm 66 with Asthma and Bronchitis and a heart condition. The Ins. doesn't care if you drop dead! My doctor did a prior authorization for the Ventolin and they denied because it's not on the formulary list anymore! My cousin said to contact the manufacturer. Does anyone know if that works? I can't afford over $56 for one inhaler since on Disability and social Security.

I do apologize! I switched a number around. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I moved recently and my pharmacy is in another state. I will see what I can do to get another prescription sent to me. Thanks

Wow!!!! I have been fighting for three months to get my Proair inhaler back because of how Ventolin does NOT work!!! They just finally approved an override yesterday because I refused to use it anymore. At the doctors office two days ago and they made me use the Ventolin after I repeatedly said no. It didn't help and I was immediately back at the pharmacy trying to get my other inhaler back... I've gone over three months without a decent inhaler because of this. I am furious!! I have been saying for months that the Ventolin DID NOT WORK... 

I have one of these faulty inhalers.  What do I do with it?

Hello,do we return it ?? 

Hello @Wink - wanted to follow up because we're looking into this a bit further. Was the brand/manufacturer specifically Ventolin or was it a different generic Albuterol manufacturer? If you can provide the exact brand/manufacturer that would help!

That's scary and frustrating, I'm sorry @Wink. Have you contacted the pharmacist already about the malfunction? They may be able to help in getting you a working inhaler. Or is the problem you're experiencing from all Ventolin inhalers?

My Ventolin inhalers constantly malfunction by not actuating. I clean after each use. You have a design flaw. Fix it!!!!!

Woohoo! I'm so glad you got the medication that you needed! Way to go on sticking with it until you got what you needed!

So glad you got your inhaler @Carrottop50!

Kathy P posted:

@Carrottop50 That's really frustrating. I've run into issues where the insurance still denied coverage on a med even after the doc submitted the proper documentation. I'm currently fighting to get a nose spray covered. The one I want (had samples) works better than the others I've tried.

 

I want Beconase or Qnasl for my nose.  I used Beconase CFC on and off from about 1975-2005 and it was always miracle.  They discontinued it!  Now they exclude it. It's a new trend I was reading that started about a year ago.

You have to appeal for medical necessity, anyone done this successfully for INS (inhaled nasal steroids?)  There is a lot of research saying untreated allergic rhinitis increases chance of hospital visit for asthma significantly.

@Carrottop50 That's really frustrating. I've run into issues where the insurance still denied coverage on a med even after the doc submitted the proper documentation. I'm currently fighting to get a nose spray covered. The one I want (had samples) works better than the others I've tried.

Have you contacted the insurance company to ask if there is further documentation they need? What is the appeals process? Is there a patient advocate you can speak with?

Has the doc considered trying the nebulized version of albuterol? Or maybe you've already tried it. The nebulizer machine is generally covered and the medication vials are usually inexpensive. It's not as quick or portable as an inhaler, but may be another option to explore.

@Carrottop50, that's scary and frustrating. Kathy P mentioned this blog post below, so you may have already checked it out. But if you haven't, definitely read up on What to Do If You Can't Afford Your Asthma Medicines.