Albuterol and ipratropium is a combination bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs.
Albuterol and ipratropium inhalation is used 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.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin), ipratropium (Atrovent), or atropine (Atreza, Lomotil, Vi-Atro, Sal-Tropine).
To make sure albuterol and ipratropium inhalation is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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 albuterol and ipratropium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medication.
Follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Overuse of this medicine may increase the risk of death. It is critical that you use only the prescribed dose of this medicine.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use, and directions for priming the inhaler device. Duoneb and Combivent Respimat have different patient instructions. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
To use the inhaler (Combivent Respimat):
To use the solution with a nebulizer (Duoneb):
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.
Seek medical attention if you think this medication is not working as well as usual.
While using albuterol and ipratropium, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office.
Use albuterol and ipratropium regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep each Duoneb vial in its foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Do not store Combivent Respimat in your car on hot days. Extreme heat can cause the medicine canister to burst. Do not throw an empty canister into open flame.
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.
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, fast or pounding heartbeats, extreme thirst, muscle weakness or limp feeling, severe headache, buzzing in your ears, weak pulse, fainting, or slow breathing (breathing may stop).
If this medication gets in your eyes, rinse 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.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using albuterol and ipratropium inhalation and call your doctor at once if you have:
Common side effects may include:
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.
Tell your doctor about all medications you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with albuterol and ipratropium, especially:
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with albuterol and ipratropium, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Your pharmacist can provide more information about albuterol and ipratropium inhalation.