Treats asthma and other lung problems such as chronic bronchitis
Brand Names:
Combivent, Duoneb
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to albuterol (Ventolin®, Proventil®), ipratropium (Atrovent®), levalbuterol (Xopenex™), or atropine. You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to soya lecithin, soybeans, or peanuts
Uses:
Aerosol
Your doctor will tell how much medicine to use and how often. You should not use more of the medicine or use it more often than your doctor ordered.
You will use this medicine with a device called a nebulizer or a metered-dose inhaler. A nebulizer turns the medicine into a fine mist that you breathe in through your mouth and to your lungs. A metered-dose inhaler fits on the medicine canister and turns the medicine into a fine spray. You may be told to use a spacer tube that is placed between the inhaler and your mouth. Your caregiver will show you how to use your inhaler and the spacer (if needed).
This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Never share your medicine with anyone.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Vials may be stored in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Do not keep your inhaler inside a car where it could be exposed to extreme heat or cold. Do not poke holes in the canister or throw it into a fire, even if the canister is empty.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using digoxin (Lanoxin®), or any blood pressure medicines or diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor if you have used medicine for depression such as amitriptyline or an MAO inhibitor (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®) within the past 2 weeks.
This medicine should not be used together with similar inhaled medicines such as albuterol (Ventolin®), levalbuterol (Xopenex™), isoproterenol (Isuprel®), metaproterenol (Alupent®), pirbuterol (Maxair®), or terbutaline (Brethaire®).
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, seizures, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or problems with urination.
Take all of your asthma medicines as your doctor ordered. If you use any type of corticosteroid medicine to control your asthma, keep using it as ordered by your doctor. This includes corticosteroid medicines that are taken by mouth or inhaled (such as prednisone, Azmacort®, Flovent®). If any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
Chest pain, or fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
Lightheadedness or fainting
Tremors or shaking
Worsening asthma symptoms
Blurred vision
Dry mouth or throat, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose
