Speaking with your doctor
Work with your doctor to help keep your treatment on track
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease, so it’s important to keep speaking with your doctor. When you go for regular checkups, your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and make changes to your treatment plan, as needed. Be sure to keep track of any changes in your health so you can discuss them during these visits.
What to expect at your next doctor check-in
Measure your breathing
Your doctor may perform spirometry (a test that measures how much you are able to exhale) or other breathing tests to keep track of how your symptoms are changing over time.
Ask about your symptoms
Pay close attention to increases in shortness of breath, intense coughing (with or without mucus), or frequency of COPD symptom flare-ups. Tell your doctor if you’re unable to perform your normal daily activities. Also tell your doctor if you are using your rescue inhaler more often than normal.
Evaluate your current treatment plan
Your doctor will look at the dosages of medications you’re taking, how well you’re following your treatment plan, if you’re using your inhaler(s) properly, how well your symptoms are being controlled, and any side effects you may be experiencing. Your doctor will then make any necessary changes to your plan, if needed.
How you can prepare for your next visit
When you write down how you’re feeling, you’re less likely to forget to mention something important to your doctor. So before each visit, take a few minutes to jot down your answers to the questions below. Your answers can help your doctor see how well your symptoms are being controlled with your current treatment plan.
Since your last visit:
- How often have you been: breathless, coughing, or had trouble with mucus?
- Have you had trouble: doing your normal activities or sleeping? How much?
- Do you need more help learning to use your inhaler properly?
Other things you can do to help your breathing
Your doctor’s visits are also a great time to talk about other things that can affect your COPD—including quitting smoking, getting flu and pneumonia vaccines, avoiding exposure to toxic substances, and sticking to your prescribed treatment plan.
COMBIVENT RESPIMAT (ipratropium bromide and albuterol) is indicated for use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on a regular aerosol bronchodilator who continue to have evidence of bronchospasm (airway narrowing) and who require a second bronchodilator.
Do not use COMBIVENT RESPIMAT if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in COMBIVENT RESPIMAT or to atropine or other similar drugs.
COMBIVENT RESPIMAT can cause the narrowing of the airways to get worse (paradoxical bronchospasm) which may be life threatening. If this happens, stop taking COMBIVENT RESPIMAT at once and call your doctor or get emergency help.
COMBIVENT RESPIMAT can cause serious heart-related side effects, such as palpitations, chest pain, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, tremor, or nervousness. Call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
Avoid spraying COMBIVENT RESPIMAT into your eyes. COMBIVENT RESPIMAT may increase eye pressure which may cause or worsen some types of glaucoma. If you have sudden vision changes, eye pain or visual halos, stop taking COMBIVENT RESPIMAT and call your doctor right away.
COMBIVENT RESPIMAT may cause difficulty with urination.
Dizziness and blurred vision may occur with COMBIVENT RESPIMAT. Should you experience these symptoms, use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car or operating appliances or other machines.
Do not use COMBIVENT RESPIMAT more often than your doctor has directed. Deaths have been reported with similar inhaled medicines in asthma patients who use the medicine too much. Seek medical attention if your treatment with COMBIVENT RESPIMAT becomes less effective for symptomatic relief, your symptoms become worse, and/or you need to use the product more frequently than usual.
Allergic reactions may occur, including itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (involving difficulty in breathing or swallowing), rash, hives, bronchospasm (airway narrowing), or anaphylaxis. Some of these may be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking COMBIVENT RESPIMAT at once and call your doctor or get emergency help.
Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, especially if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, prostate or urinary problems, a history of heart conditions (such as irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure), thyroid disorder, or diabetes. Also tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking, especially heart medications or drugs to treat depression.
The most common side effects reported with use of COMBIVENT RESPIMAT include infection of the ears, nose, and throat, runny nose, cough, bronchitis, headache, and shortness of breath.
Click here for full Prescribing Information and Patient Instructions for Use.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
CL-CBR-100003