Ipratropium and Albuterol (Inhalation-Local)

Brand Names : Combivent, DuoNeb, salbutamol

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ipratropium and albuterol combination, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to albuterol, ipratropium, atropine, belladonna, hyoscyamine, or scopolamine, or to other inhalation aerosol medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to soya lecithin or related food substances such as soybeans and peanuts.

Pregnancy - Ipratropium and albuterol have not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that albuterol causes birth defects when given in doses comparable to the maximum human dose. Ipratropium has not been found to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether ipratropium or albuterol passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Studies comparing the effects of the inhalation aerosol dosage form of ipratropium and albuterol in children with those in other age groups have not been done.

Older adults - Ipratropium and albuterol combination has been tested in elderly patients and has not been found to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking ipratropium and albuterol combination, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ipratropium and albuterol combination. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Difficult urination - This medicine may make the condition worse

• Glaucoma - This medicine may make the condition worse if it gets into the eyes

• Heart rhythm problems or
• High blood pressure (hypertension) or
• Problems with blood circulation to the heart - The albuterol contained in this combination medicine can cause unwanted effects on the heart in some patients