Combivent Respimat (inhalation)

Combivent Respimat is a bronchodilator that helps relax the muscles in the airways and improves air flow to the lungs.

Combivent Respimat is used to prevent bronchospasm in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are also taking other medicines to manage their condition.

Combivent Respimat may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Seek medical help if your breathing problems worsen quickly, or if you feel your medications are not working as well. Using too much albuterol and ipratropium may raise the risk of death. It is very important to use only the dose prescribed by your doctor.

You should not use Combivent Respimat if you are allergic to albuterol, ipratropium, or atropine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or heart rhythm disorder;
• a seizure disorder such as epilepsy;
• diabetes;
• overactive thyroid;
• glaucoma;
• liver or kidney disease; or
• enlarged prostate, problems with urination.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Combivent Respimat may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

• wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using Combivent Respimat;
• chest pain;
• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest;
• tremors, nervousness;
• swelling of your ankles or feet;
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• painful or difficult urination; or
• low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or feeling weak.

Common side effects of Combivent Respimat may include:

• headache;
• trouble breathing; 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. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Combivent Respimat is usually used 4 times per day. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. Do not use more than 6 inhalations in a 24-hour period.

Overuse of this medicine may increase the risk of death. It is critical that you use only the prescribed dose of this medicine.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Always use the new inhaler device provided with your refill.

To use the inhaler:

• You do not need to shake the inhaler before use.
• Uncap the mouthpiece of the inhaler. Breathe out fully. Put the mouthpiece into your mouth and close your lips. Keep your eyes closed to prevent spraying any medicine into your eyes. Breathe in slowly while pressing the dose-release button on the inhaler. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly.
• Close the cap until you use your inhaler again.
• Carefully follow all directions for cleaning your specific inhaler device once per week.

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.

To use the solution with a nebulizer:

• Open the foil pouch and remove one vial. Empty the medicine into the chamber of the nebulizer. Attach the mouthpiece or face mask, then attach the drug chamber to the compressor.
• Sit upright in a comfortable position. Place the mouthpiece into your mouth or put on the face mask, covering your nose and mouth. Turn on the compressor.
• Breathe in slowly and evenly until no more mist is formed by the nebulizer and the drug chamber is empty.
• Clean the nebulizer after each use. Follow the cleaning directions that came with your nebulizer.

Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your medications are not working as well.

To make sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects on your lungs, you may need to have chest X rays or other frequent lung function tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze. Keep each vial in its foil pouch until you are ready to use it.

Keep the cover on your inhaler when not in use. Keep away from open flame or high heat. The canister may explode if it gets too hot. Do not puncture or burn an empty inhaler canister.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at once.

Make sure to get your prescription refilled before you completely run out of medicine.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of Combivent Respimat can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, tremors, dry mouth, extreme thirst, muscle weakness or limp feeling, severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears, or feeling like you might pass out.

If this medication gets in your eyes, rinse with water and seek medical attention.

Avoid driving or doing anything dangerous until you know how Combivent Respimat will affect you. Your vision or reactions could be impaired.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• a diuretic or "water pill";
• heart or blood pressure medicine;
• other beta-blockers; or
• an antidepressant.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Combivent Respimat, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.