Allergic asthma is specific type of asthma that occurs when allergens or irritants are inhaled. Once inhaled, these substances cause reactions in your airways. Symptoms of allergic asthma are the same as those seen in other types of asthma and include: wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing. The treatment plan your doctor chooses for you may be different depending on which type of asthma you have.

It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions and not skip any medication. To learn more about allergic asthma medications, treatment and ongoing management of the disease, please read the information below.

Specialty Pharmacy Program for allergic asthma:

• Members using certain medications for allergic asthma can benefit from our Specialty Pharmacy Program. This program helps make sure that you're using the right medications for your condition, and it allows your doctor to get your medications at a lower cost through a specialty pharmacy.
• Your doctor should contact Prescription Solutions^® by OptumRx Specialty Pharmacy at 1-888-293-9309 or Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy at 1-888-282-5166 for more information.
• Care or Case Management Programs may also be available through your health plan. To learn more, call the number or visit the Web site found on the back of your health insurance ID card.

Specialty medications used to treat allergic asthma:

• Xolair^®

Related topics:

The following resources may be helpful for learning more about allergic asthma, how it's treated, and what medications are used.

• Diseases and Conditions at myOptumHealth.com
• Drug Guide at myOptumHealth.com
• What Is Asthma? (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute)
• Allergic Asthma (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)