Combivent

Generic name: Albuterol And Ipratropium
Drug class: Bronchodilator combinations

Usage of Combivent

Combivent Respimat contains a combination of albuterol and ipratropium. Albuterol and ipratropium are bronchodilators that relax muscles in the airways and increase air flow to the lungs.

Combivent Respimat is used to prevent bronchospasm (tightening and narrowing of the airways) in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are also using other medicines to control their condition.

Combivent side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Combivent Respimat: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medicine;

chest pain;

fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest;

tremors, nervousness;

swelling of your ankles or feet;

blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

painful or difficult urination; or

low potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common Combivent Respimat side effects may include:

headache;

trouble breathing; or

cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, or sore throat.

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.

Before taking Combivent

You should not use Combivent Respimat if you are allergic to albuterol, ipratropium, or atropine.

To make sure Combivent Respimat is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart disease, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or heart rhythm disorder;

a seizure disorder such as epilepsy;

diabetes;

overactive thyroid;

glaucoma;

liver or kidney disease; or

enlarged prostate, problems with urination.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Combivent is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Combivent

Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease -- Maintenance:

Inhalation Aerosol: 1 inhalation (albuterol-ipratropium bromide 100 mcg-20 mcg) orally four times a day. Additional inhalations can be taken as required. Maximum dose: 6 inhalations in 24 hours -If a previously effective regimen fails to provide the usual relief, medical advice should be sought immediately, as this is often a sign of worsening COPD and may require reassessment of therapy. Use: In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on a regular aerosol bronchodilator who continue to have evidence of bronchospasm and who require a second bronchodilator

Warnings

You should not use Combivent if you are allergic to albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin), ipratropium (Atrovent), or atropine (Atreza, Lomotil, Vi-Atro, Sal-Tropine).

Before you use Combivent, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, high blood pressure, seizures, diabetes, thyroid disease, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, urination problems, liver disease, or kidney disease.

Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your medications are not working as well. Overuse of albuterol and ipratropium may increase the risk of death. It is critical that you use only the prescribed dose of Combivent Respimat.

What other drugs will affect Combivent

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

a diuretic or "water pill";

heart or blood pressure medicine;

other beta-blockers; or

an antidepressant.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Combivent Respimat, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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