Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD is a lung disease that affects and damages the airways in your lungs, making it harder and harder to breathe over time. Both chronic bronchitis and emphysema can be part of COPD.While quitting smoking is one way to slow down the rate of damage COPD causes in your lungs, COPD is a progressive disease that gets worse over time.
The good news is that COPD is treatable. Taking medication as prescribed can help you breathe easier. That’s exactly why your doctor would prescribe COMBIVENT RESPIMAT as part of your COPD treatment plan.
Your treatment plan will also include quitting smoking. And, depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may need to take other medications and do simple exercises to help with your breathing. Your doctor may modify your treatment plan over time to help keep your symptoms under control.
How COPD damages your lungs and makes it hard to breathe
Inflammation and mucus narrow and restrict your airways (chronic bronchitis)
Your body’s immune system responds to long-term irritation by causing the airways in your lungs to narrow. This happens as inflammation causes airway walls to thicken and airways to become clogged with mucus. It also causes the muscles around your airways to tighten up, further limiting airflow in and out of your lungs and making it hard to breathe. Unlike the bronchitis you may experience with a common cold or other virus, chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that keeps coming back or never goes away completely.
Trapped air limits the amount of air you can breathe in and out (emphysema)
According to the American Lung Association, there are also tiny air sacs clustered like bunches of grapes in your lungs (called alveoli). Inflammation in your airways causes the inner walls of these air sacs to weaken and eventually break down—creating fewer large air spaces instead of many small ones. This reduces the surface area of the lungs and reduces the amount of oxygen that is able to reach your bloodstream. The damaged air sacs are also unable to squeeze out all of the air inside them when you exhale. This air becomes trapped in your lungs, leaving less room for fresh air. All of this can make you feel short of breath.
Symptoms may get worse for a while, or new symptoms may develop (flare-ups or exacerbations)
You may develop new symptoms or feel your usual symptoms worsen. When that happens, it’s referred to as having a flare-up, or exacerbation. COPD flare-ups can be unpleasant and may, in some cases, result in hospitalization.
COPD doesn’t go away. So following up and speaking with your doctor will always be important for your breathing.
It’s important to have an open and productive conversation with your doctor
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.
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