Combivent (Ipratropium Bromide & Albuterol (salbutamol))

Albuterol and Ipratorium inhalation

What is this medicine?

Albuterol and Ipratorium 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 Ipratorium may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

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

To make sure Albuterol and Ipratorium is safe for you, tell your doctor about your other medical conditions, especially:

• 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 Albuterol and Ipratorium is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

How should I use this medicine?

Use Albuterol and Ipratorium 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.
Albuterol and Ipratorium 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 Ipratorium 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 Albuterol and Ipratorium inhaler:

• Insert metal canister into clear end of mouthpiece. Make sure the canister is fully and firmly inserted into the mouthpiece.

• Remove orange protective dust cap. If the cap is not on the mouthpiece, make sure there is nothing in the mouthpiece before use. For best results, the canister should be at room temperature before use.

• Shake and Test Spray. Perform this step before using for the first time, and whenever the aerosol has not been used for more than 24 hours.

• Shake the canister vigorously for at least 10 seconds. Vigorous shaking for at least 10 seconds before each spray is very important for proper performance.

• Breathe out (exhale) deeply through your mouth. Holding the canister upright, between your thumb and finger(s), put the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips. Keep your eyes closed so that no medicine will be sprayed into your eyes. Albuterol and Ipratorium can cause blurry vision, narrow-angle glaucoma or worsening of this condition or eye pain if the medicine is sprayed into your eyes.

• Breathe in slowly through your mouth and at the same time spray the medicine into your mouth. To spray the medicine, firmly press once on the canister against the mouthpiece. Keep breathing in deeply.

• Hold your breath for 10 seconds, remove the mouthpiece from your mouth and breathe out slowly.

• If you use more than one inhalation at a time, wait at least 2 minutes before using the second inhalation, shake the inhaler vigorously for at least 10 seconds again and repeat dose.

• Replace the orange protective dust cap after use.

• Keep track of the number of sprays used and discard after 200 sprays. Even though the canister is not empty, you cannot be sure of the amount of medicine in each spray after 200 sprays.

• 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 Albuterol and Ipratorium Respimat:

• With the orange cap closed, press the safety catch while pulling off the clear base. Be careful not to touch the piercing element located inside the bottom of the clear base.

• Write the "discard by" date on the label of the Respimat inhaler. The discard by date is 3 months from the date the cartridge is inserted into the inhaler.

• Push the narrow end of the cartridge into the inhaler. The base of the cartridge will not sit flush with the inhaler. About 1/8 of an inch will remain visible when the cartridge is correctly inserted. The cartridge can be pushed against a firm surface to ensure that it is correctly inserted. Do not remove the cartridge once it has been inserted into the inhaler.

• Put the clear base back into place. Do not remove the clear base again. Your Albuterol and Ipratorium Respimat inhaler should not be taken apart after you have inserted the cartridge and put the clear base back.

What 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 may interact with this medicine?

Tell your doctor about all medications you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Albuterol and Ipratorium, especially:

• bladder or urinary medicines such as darifenacin (Enablex), tolterodine (Detrol), solifenacin (Vesicare);

• a diuretic (water pill);

• heart or blood pressure medication, such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic), metoprolol (Dutoprol, Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), and others;

• medication for Parkinson's disease or depression;

• medication to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome;

• other bronchodilators such as formoterol (Foradil), ipratropium (Atrovent), isoproterenol (Isuprel), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), terbutaline (Brethine, Bricanyl), or tiotropium (Spiriva); or

• a stimulant, ADHD medication, diet pills, or over-the-counter cold or allergy medicine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Albuterol and Ipratorium, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

If Albuterol and Ipratorium 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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention. An overdose of Albuterol and Ipratorium 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).

What side effects may I notice from this medicine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Albuterol and Ipratorium: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Albuterol and Ipratorium and call your doctor at once if you have:

• wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems (especially after starting a new canister of this medicine);

• chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, anxiety, uneven heartbeats);

• swelling of your ankles or feet;

• eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

• painful or difficult urination; or

• low potassium (confusion, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling).

Common Albuterol and Ipratorium side effects may include:

• mild headache; 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.