The combination of ipratropium and albuterol provides a greater improvement in key efficacy measures of COPD than either agent alone.
Trade name COMBIVENT RESPIMAT
Indicated for 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.
Should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension.
Ipratropium bromide and may increase intraocular pressure which may result in precipitation or worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma.
Spraying the aerosol into the eye may cause acute eye pain, blurring of vision, mydriasis, visual halos, or colored images, and red eyes from conjunctival or corneal congestion.
Ipratropium bromide also may cause urinary retention.
Should be used with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, prostatic hyperplasia, or bladder-neck obstruction.
Patients should be cautioned about engaging in activities such as driving a vehicle or operating appliances or machinery as vision may be impaired.
Albuterol should be used with caution in patients with convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes mellitus, and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines.
Albuterol may produce significant hypokalemia in some patients.
In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions reported for COMBIVENT RESPIMAT were upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, cough, bronchitis, headache, and dyspnea.
May interact additively with concomitantly used anticholinergic medications.
Caution is advised in co-administration of other beta-adrenergic agents, beta-receptor blocking agents, and non-potassium sparing diuretics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants.