Generic Name: albuterol and ipratropium (inhalation) (al BYOO ter ol and ip ra TRO pee um)
Brand Names: Combivent, DuoNeb
What is albuterol and ipratropium inhalation?
Albuterol and ipratropium are bronchodilators that relax muscles in the airways and increase air flow to the lungs.
The combination of albuterol and ipratropium is used as an inhaled medication to prevent bronchospasm in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are also using other medicines to control their condition.
Albuterol and ipratropium inhalation may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about albuterol and ipratropium inhalation?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin), ipratropium (Atrovent), or atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine). Do not use Combivent if you are allergic to soybeans, peanuts, or other food products that contain soya lecithin.
Before you use this medicine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, seizures, diabetes, overactive thyroid, an enlarged prostate, urination problems, liver disease, or kidney disease.
Call your doctor right away if any of your medications do not seem to work as well in preventing bronchospasm.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using albuterol and ipratropium inhalation?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin), ipratropium (Atrovent), or atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine). Do not use Combivent if you are allergic to soybeans, peanuts, or other food products that contain soya lecithin.
To make sure you can safely use this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
heart disease, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or heart rhythm disorder;
a seizure disorder such as epilepsy;
diabetes;
overactive thyroid;
glaucoma;
enlarged prostate, problems with urination; or
- liver or kidney disease.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using albuterol and ipratropium inhalation.
How should I use albuterol and ipratropium inhalation?
Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
This medication may increase the risk of asthma-related death. It is critical that you use only the prescribed dose of this medicine and follow all patient instructions for safe use of the medication.
Albuterol and ipratropium inhalation comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
To use the inhaler (Combivent):
Shake the canister vigorously for at least 10 seconds before each spray.
Uncap the mouthpiece of the inhaler. Breathe out fully. Put the mouthpiece into your mouth and close your lips. Keep your eyes closed to prevent spraying any medicine into your eyes. Breathe in slowly while pushing down on the canister. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly.
If you use more than one inhalation at a time, wait at least 2 minutes before using the second inhalation.
Keep your inhaler clean and dry, and store it with the cap on the mouthpiece. Clean your inhaler once a week by removing the canister and placing the mouthpiece under warm running water for at least 30 seconds. Allow the parts to dry before putting the inhaler back together.
To use the solution with a nebulizer (Duoneb):
Open the foil pouch and remove one vial. Squeeze all of the medicine out into the chamber of the nebulizer.
Attach the mouthpiece or face mask to the drug chamber. Then, attach the drug chamber to the compressor. Sit upright in a comfortable position. Place the mouthpiece into your mouth or put the face mask on, covering your nose and mouth.
Breathe in slowly and evenly until you have inhaled all of the medicine (usually 5 to 15 minutes). The treatment is complete when no more mist is formed by the nebulizer and the drug chamber is empty.
Clean the nebulizer after each use. Follow the cleaning directions that came with your nebulizer.
Call your doctor right away if any of your medications do not seem to work as well in preventing attacks.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your lung function will need to be tested often. You may also need blood tests at your doctor's office. Visit your doctor regularly.
Store Combivent at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Extreme heat can cause the medicine canister to burst. Do not store it in your car on hot days. Do not throw an empty canister into open flame.
Use albuterol and ipratropium inhalation regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store Duoneb at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep each vial in its foil pouch until you are ready to use it.
Keep track of the number of sprays you have used and throw away the inhaler canister after 200 sprays, even if it feels like there is still medicine in it.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of albuterol and ipratropium can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include chest pain or heavy feeling, rapid or uneven heart rate, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, weakness, or general ill feeling.
What should I avoid while using albuterol and ipratropium inhalation?
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse the eyes with water and seek medical attention. This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Albuterol and ipratropium inhalation side effects
Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using albuterol and ipratropium and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing), especially after starting a new canister of this medicine;
chest pain and fast, pounding, or uneven heart beats;
swelling of your ankles or feet;
vision problems, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
pain or burning with urination; or
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
hoarse voice, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose;
constipation, diarrhea;
nausea, upset stomach;
headache; or
leg cramps.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Albuterol and ipratropium Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease -- Maintenance:
2 puffs by metered dose inhaler 4 times a day. Patients may take an extra dose as warranted by symptomatology. The maximum recommended dose is 12 puffs/day.
or
One 3 mL vial by nebulization 4 times a day. Patients may take extra doses as warranted by symptomatology. The maximum recommended dose is 6 vials (18 mL)/ day.
What other drugs will affect albuterol and ipratropium inhalation?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine), belladonna (Donnatal, and others), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm Scop);
bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);
clidinium (Quarzan);
glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others);
dicyclomine (Bentyl);
mepenzolate (Cantil);
methantheline (Provocholine);
bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);
irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl) or propantheline (Pro Banthine);
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic), carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), and others;
a diuretic (water pill);
an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
a stimulant, ADHD medication, diet pills, or over-the-counter cold or allergy medicines; or
medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease such as benztropine (Cogentin), orphenadrine (Norflex), trihexyphenidyl (Artane, Trihexane), and others.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with albuterol and ipratropium inhalation. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More albuterol and ipratropium resources
- Albuterol and ipratropium Side Effects (in more detail)
- Albuterol and ipratropium Dosage
- Albuterol and ipratropium Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Albuterol and ipratropium Drug Interactions
- Albuterol and ipratropium Support Group
- 9 Reviews for Albuterol and ipratropium - Add your own review/rating
Compare albuterol and ipratropium with other medications
- COPD, Maintenance
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about albuterol and ipratropium inhalation.
See also: albuterol and ipratropium side effects (in more detail)
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