Combivent Respimat inhalation

Generic name: Albuterol And Ipratropium (inhalation)
Brand names: Combivent Respimat
Drug class: Bronchodilator combinations

Usage of Combivent Respimat inhalation

Combivent Respimat are bronchodilators that relax muscles in the airways and increase air flow to the lungs.

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

Combivent Respimat may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Combivent Respimat inhalation side effects

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

Combivent Respimat may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using Combivent Respimat;

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 side effects of Combivent Respimat 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 Respimat inhalation

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

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.

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

Relate drugs

How to use Combivent Respimat inhalation

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Combivent Respimat is usually used 4 times per day. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. Do not use more than 6 inhalations in a 24-hour period.

Overuse of this medicine may increase the risk of death. It is critical that you use only the prescribed dose of this medicine.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Always use the new inhaler device provided with your refill.

To use the inhaler:

You do not need to shake the inhaler before use.

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 pressing the dose-release button on the inhaler. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly.

Close the cap until you use your inhaler again.

Carefully follow all directions for cleaning your specific inhaler device once per week.

Keep track of the number of sprays you have used. Throw away the Combivent Respimat inhaler canister after 3 months or 120 sprays, whichever comes first.

To use the solution with a nebulizer:

Open the foil pouch and remove one vial. Empty the medicine into the chamber of the nebulizer. Attach the mouthpiece or face mask, then attach the drug chamber to the compressor.

Sit upright in a comfortable position. Place the mouthpiece into your mouth or put on the face mask, covering your nose and mouth. Turn on the compressor.

Breathe in slowly and evenly until 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.

Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your medications are not working as well.

To make sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects on your lungs, you may need to have chest X rays or other frequent lung function tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze. Keep each vial in its foil pouch until you are ready to use it.

Keep the cover on your inhaler when not in use. Keep away from open flame or high heat. The canister may explode if it gets too hot. Do not puncture or burn an empty inhaler canister.

Warnings

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 this medicine.

What other drugs will affect Combivent Respimat inhalation

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 affect Combivent Respimat, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.