A Quality and Practical Pharmacy for COPD/Asthma Patients

If you are living with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you are not alone. The American Lung Association estimates COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, with 16.4 million Americans suffering from it. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation models state that approximately 25 million Americans suffer from asthma, which amounts to 1 in 13 people.

SpotRx understands the prevalence of both diseases. That is why we have developed an in-depth guide for proper management and symptom control to improve your quality of life. Because we are not just any kind of pharmacy – we are a true partner in your wellness.

 

1. Understanding How COPD or Asthma Can Affect You

Your doctor can explain some of the symptoms more in-depth, but it is important to know what to expect when living with COPD and asthma.

COPD and Asthma both have similar symptoms that include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Wheezing
• Mucus production
• Cough

Asthma: 

• Occurs when the bronchi of the lungs suffer from spasms caused by a specific sensitivity.
• These triggers are caused by genetics, the environment, or even exercise.
• Onset occurs usually during childhood
• Symptoms vary daily and are usually worse at night or early morning

If you are diagnosed with asthma, it is important to ask your doctor or identify what specific triggers you may have to avoid asthma attacks.

COPD: 

• Occurs when your lungs become inflamed or constructed.
• Onset occurs mid-life and symptoms slowly increase over time
• Caused by long-term exposure to:
  • Air pollution
  • Long term smoking or secondhand smoke
  • Harmful chemicals or fumes

 

2. Build a Routine Around Your Medication

If your doctor prescribes medication to you, it is important to understand when and how to use it. It is important to give yourself reminders of times and dosages. These can include setting reminders into your phone and placing the medication where you can see it.

The mainstay of treatment for both COPD and asthma are inhalers. Depending on the severity, providers may also prescribe additional therapies.

Rescue Inhalers vs. Maintenance Inhalers

Rescue inhalers are short-acting and should only be used for quick symptom relief. If you are using a rescue inhaler throughout the day and find yourself needing refills every month, this can be a sign of uncontrolled asthma/COPD. The frequency for these inhalers is prescribed as needed and only lasts for about 2-4 hours. As well, they are used for exercise-induced asthma.

• Albuterol: 
  • ProAir HFA, ProAir RespiClick, ProAir Digihaler AccuNeb nebulizer
  • Ventolin HFA
  • Proventil HFA
• Levalbuterol: 
  • Xopenex HFA inhaler
  • Levalbuterol HFA
  • Levalbuterol or Xopenex nebulizer solution
• Ipratropium:
  • Duo-neb
  • Atrovent

Maintenance inhalers are called inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting bronchodilators (LABA). These types of inhalers control the symptoms of asthma and COPD and prevent exacerbations and help decrease visits to the hospital or doctor.

These include, but not all:

• Flovent HFA
• Pulmicort Flexhaler
• Asmanex Twisthaler
• Qvar RediHaler
• Alvesco
• Servant
• Breo Ellipta
• Dulera
• Symbicort
• Advair Diskus
• Wixela Inhub
• Arcapta Neohaler
• Striverdi Respimat
• Serevent Diskus
• Spiriva Handihaler/Respimat
• Incruse Ellipta
• Tudorza Pressair
• Seebri Neohaler
• Anora Ellipta
• Stiolto Respimat
• Telegy Ellipta
• Beztri Aerospace
• Dualkir Pressair
• Bevespi Aerospace

It is understandable if you cannot keep up with your asthma or COPD treatment due to life’s busy schedule, however, it is very important to help keep your symptoms in control for a better lifestyle.

We are not perfect and being forgetful is a part of life—That is why SpotRx is here to help you stay on track!

 

3. Talk to SpotRx Pharmacy

We are the preferred pharmacy for thousands of asthma and COPD patients, specializing in delivering their medications and anything else to their doorstep. We handle your medications and devices with the highest care, ensuring they are dropped off at your home, right when you need them.

SpotRx is simplifying pharmacy and making receiving any type of COPD or asthma medication stress-free experience by these easy 1-2-3 steps:

1. Transfer or send us your prescription – You can get your prescription by asking your doctor to send it to SpotRx Pharmacy or by transferring your existing prescriptions.
2. Get notified when your prescription’s ready – We’ll let you know when your medication is ready, by text, phone or through the app. Your choice!
3. Choose pick up or delivery – Let us know which kiosk location you’d like to pick up your prescription, or if you’d like them delivered for free the next day!

4. Tailoring your care

In addition, we’re offering several exclusive features that simplify pharmacy:

• Auto refill – You’ll never run out of your prescription.
• Refill reminders by phone or text.
• Medication synchronization services that tie all of your prescriptions to the same refill date.
• Our Clinical Pharmacists are always available for consultations, questions you have, and monitor your asthma or COPD treatment plan.

We’re currently operating in Phoenix, Tucson, Detroit, and Southern California, with plans to expand into Florida later this year.

If you are interested in learning about a pharmacy that hundreds of asthma and COPD patients call their own, give us a call at (602) 837-0599 or transfer your medications here.