Dimensions Newsletter | Winter 2026

Tips for Managing Asthma in Cold Weather

For asthma sufferers, winter can be the most difficult time of the year. The colder months can be a recipe for flare-ups, with severe asthma symptoms that can become uncontrolled. The cold, dry air can irritate the airways causing coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

When you have asthma, your airways are always a little swollen, but triggers can cause the swelling to increase and extra mucus to be produced, making it hard to breathe.

Though winter brings its challenges, by being prepared you can learn to manage your symptoms and avoid triggers so you can enjoy this time of year.

At Pharmacy Benefit Dimensions, we know your health and wellness are a top priority. We want to remind you about the benefits from using your maintenance inhaler as prescribed.

Maintenance inhalers are medications used daily to minimize symptoms and reduce disease flare-ups. Unlike rescue inhalers, which are used as needed for immediate relief, maintenance inhalers are important for the long-term management of your respiratory health.

Taking your maintenance inhaler as prescribed will help prevent disease progression, flare-ups, and hospitalizations. In addition, regular maintenance inhaler use may help reduce how frequently you need to use your rescue inhaler. 

If you have questions regarding your treatment plan, including your maintenance inhaler, we encourage you to talk with your doctor at your next visit.

Here are some things to consider to help you manage your asthma during the winter:

Cold Air and Your Lungs

Everyone’s airways are protected by a layer of fluid that, when you breathe in dry air, evaporates faster than it can be replaced. This dryness can cause the airways to become irritated and swollen, a major problem for people with asthma. People’s airways are also lined with protective mucus, which helps capture unhealthy particles. Unfortunately, cold weather causes your body to produce more mucus, that is also thicker and stickier than normal, further impeding breathing. This process occurs in everyone, even people without lung disease. People with asthma, who already experience inflamed airways and overproduction of mucus have a particularly hard time.

Exercising Outside with Asthma

Regular exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle, especially for people with chronic lung diseases like asthma. Unfortunately, their lung diseases may make it harder to participate in certain exercise and activities. This is especially true for people with exercise-induced asthma (EIB). For these people, their asthma symptoms are triggered by the rapid inhalation of cool, dry air through the mouth that happens when you exercise. This problem can be worsened by the cold, which is why, though many people enjoy exercising outdoors, for those with asthma the drop in temperature can become concerning.

People with EIB find that their already inflamed airways are worsened by the cold, which can leave them short of breath or cause a tight or burning feeling in their chest.

Winter and Indoor Allergies

When the weather is cold, you are more likely to spend long periods of time indoors with the windows closed and the heat on. This can mean a higher risk of exposure to indoor allergens, irritants and respiratory viruses. Common asthma triggers like dust, pet dander, and pests may be more likely to accumulate. Vacuuming and dusting your home frequently, washing your sheets and blankets with hot water frequently and using an air cleaner are all good ways to reduce indoor triggers.

In addition, winter is respiratory virus season, when colds, flu, RSV, COVID-19 and many other viruses tend to circulate. For people with asthma, these infections can lead to more inflammation and symptoms. Being up to date with your vaccines, trying to avoid large gatherings or sick individuals, practicing good hygiene habits such as washing your hands and masking when necessary, and drinking plenty of fluids are good ways to prevent catching an infection and causing an asthma flare-up.

Flu activity this winter continues to intensify across the United States as hospitalizations surge, according to newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The percentage of outpatient visits for respiratory illnesses has now reached the highest level ever recorded. Roughly 8% of all visits to health care providers were attributed to flu-like illness — a rate that exceeds any seen since 1997, the earliest year for which comparable data is available. Flu-like illness is defined as having a fever along with a cough and/or sore throat.

Children and young adults account for a large share of these visits. About 35% of outpatient visits for respiratory illness involved people under 24 years old, while children younger than 5 represented approximately 20% of cases.

The CDC estimates that there have been at least 11,000,000 illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths from flu so far this season.

The "Super Flu" Variant

The current surge is primarily driven by the subclade K variant of the flu ­— H3N2 virus. This strain circulated in Australia over the summer and then in the United Kingdom and Canada later in the fall. Since early December, H3N2 subclade K has been the dominant flu strain in the U.S.  Because of how rapidly subclade K has spread, some people have dubbed subclade K a "super flu."

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• High fevers (up to 105.5 degrees)
• Intense body aches
• Severe coughs
• Shaking and chills

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older who has not yet been vaccinated this season get an annual flu vaccine, saying that the shot will still help protect them against severe illness. Pharmacy Benefit Dimensions will continue to cover flu vaccines, when administered at a network pharmacy, as part of the Affordable Care Act. 

At-home tests for the flu and/or COVID-19 are widely available over the counter, and some pharmacies offer rapid on-site testing if a person doesn't want or need to seek care at a health care facility or emergency room. Testing can help guide treatment, especially to distinguish between COVID-19 and the flu, which have different treatments. After testing, please contact your doctor to discuss appropriate treatment options, including prescription treatment, if needed. There are three FDA-approved prescription antiviral drugs recommended by CDC to treat flu this season that are on our formulary:

• oseltamivir phosphate
• Relenza®
• Xofluza®
  

The beginning of a new year offers a powerful moment to reset habits and refocus on health. As 2026 begins, Pharmacy Benefit Dimensions encourages you to make maintaining a healthy weight a priority — for overall well‑being, energy, and longevity.

A healthy weight supports heart health, mobility, mental clarity, and confidence, and it is best achieved through balance, consistency, and mindful choices, not drastic changes.

Nutrition plays a central role in maintaining a healthy weight. Choosing nutrient‑dense foods, paying attention to portion sizes, and developing a healthier relationship with food can make a lasting difference. Rather than dieting or deprivation, sustainable eating habits focus on fueling the body properly — enjoying meals that are satisfying, balanced, and supportive of long‑term health.

Regular physical activity is another essential component. Exercise helps regulate weight by boosting metabolism, building strength, and supporting overall body function. Whether it’s walking, strength training, stretching, or structured workouts, movement doesn’t need to be intense to be effective — it simply needs to be consistent.

People who are overweight may be at increased risk for many serious health conditions compared to those with a healthy weight. These may include but are not limited to:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint)
• Sleep apnea and breathing problems

Letting go of habits that interfere with healthy weight management is equally important. Smoking, for example, places significant strain on the body and can complicate metabolism and overall health. Quitting smoking is a major step toward restoring balance and supporting the body’s ability to function at its best.

As 2026 unfolds, maintaining a healthy weight becomes less about perfection and more about progress. Small, steady choices — made day after day — lay the groundwork for lasting change. This year is an opportunity to listen to your body, honor its needs, and commit to habits that support a healthier, stronger, and more confident life.

Here are the quarterly changes to the Pharmacy Benefit Dimensions drug formulary.

The following medications will be added to the formulary:

The following new generic medications are available:

The following medications were reviewed and will remain non-formulary:

• Lynkeut® capsules
• Wayrilz® tablets
• Lasix ONYU® subcutaneous
• Rhapsido® tablets
• Jascayd® tablets
• Clotic® otic solution
• Palsonify® tablets
• Forzinity® subcutaneous injection
• Kygevvi® powder for oral solution
• Zolymbus® ophthalmic gel
• Enbumyst® nasal spray
• Subvenite® oral suspension
• Bondlido® topical patch
• Javadin® oral solution

Please reach out with any questions you may have. To best assist you, choose from the following:

Questions about your pharmacy benefits as a PBD member? Contact Member Services, 1-888-878-9172.

Questions about a claim from a pharmacy or provider? Contact our Pharmacy Help Desk, (716) 635-3578.

Questions about the benefits of partnering with PBD? Contact our Sales Department, (716) 860-0743.

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