Ipratropium

What it is used for

Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg is a combination of two medicines called bronchodilators. Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg contains albuterol sulfate, which is a beta-adrenergic agonist, and ipratropium bromide, which is an anticholinergic. These two medicines work together to help open the airways in your lungs. Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg is used to help treat airway narrowing (bronchospasm) that happens with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adult patients who need to use more than one bronchodilator medicine.

How to take it

• Read the Patient’s Instructions for Use that you get with your prescription. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Take Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or how often you use Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg without talking to your doctor. Inhale Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg through your mouth and into your lungs using a machine called a nebulizer.
• Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg may help to open your airways for up to 5 hours after taking this medicine. If Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg does not help your airway narrowing (bronchospasm) or your bronchospasm gets worse, call your doctor right away or get emergency help if needed.

Side effects, and when to stop

Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg may cause the following serious side effects:

• Worsening of the narrowing in your airways (bronchospasm). This side effect can be life-threatening and has happened with both of the medicines that are in Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg. Stop Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg and call your doctor right away or get emergency help if your breathing problems get worse while or after using Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg.
• Serious and life-threatening allergic reactions. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include:
  • Hives, rash
  • Swelling of your face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat, and trouble swallowing
  • Worsening of your breathing problems such as wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath
  • Shock (loss of blood pressure and consciousness)

The most common side effects with Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg include lung disease, sore throat, chest pain, constipation, diarrhea, bronchitis, urinary tract infection, leg cramps, nausea, upset stomach, voice changes, and pain.

These are not all the side effects with Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg. For a complete list, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Who should not take it

Do not use Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg if you: Are allergic to any of the ingredients in Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg or to atropine. The active ingredients are albuterol sulfate and ipratropium bromide. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg.

Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg has not been studied in patients younger than 18 years of age.

What to say before you start

Tell your doctor about all of your conditions, including if you:

• Have heart problems. This includes coronary artery disease and heart rhythm problems.
• Have high blood pressure
• Have diabetes
• Have or had seizures
• Have a thyroid problem called hyperthyroidism
• Have an eye problem called narrow-angle glaucoma
• Have liver or kidney problems
• Have problems urinating due to bladder-neck blockage or an enlarged prostate (men)
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg can harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor will have to decide if Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg is right for you during a pregnancy.
• Are breastfeeding. It is not known if Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg passes into your milk or if it can harm your baby. You and your doctor should decide whether you should take Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg or breastfeed, but not both.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg and other medicines can interact. This may cause serious side effects. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• Other medicines that contain anticholinergics such as ipratropium bromide. This also includes medicines used for Parkinson’s disease.
• Other medicines that contain beta-agonists such as albuterol sulfate. These are usually used to treat airway narrowing (bronchospasm).
• Medicines called beta-blockers. These are usually used for high blood pressure or heart problems.
• Medicines called “water pills” (diuretics).
• Medicines for depression called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or tricyclic antidepressants.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take any of these types of medicines. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacists when you get a new medicine.

What to avoid

Do not get Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg in your eyes. Be careful not to spray Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg in your eyes while you are using your nebulizer. Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg can cause the following short-term eye problems:

• Enlarged pupils
• Blurry vision
• Eye pain

Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg can cause a serious eye problem called narrow-angle glaucoma or worsen the narrow-angle glaucoma you already have.

Storing it

• Store Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg at 20°C to 25°C (68°F and 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F). Protect from light. Keep the unused vials in the foil pouch or carton.
• Safely discard Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg that is out-of-date or no longer needed.
• Keep Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General advice about Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in the patient information leaflets. Do not use Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This leaflet summarizes the most important information about Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg that is written for health professionals.

Storing your medicine

Store Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution at 20°C to 25°C (68°F and 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F). Vials should be protected from light before use, therefore, keep unused vials in the foil pouch or carton. Do not use after the expiration (EXP) date printed on the carton.

Dose

Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution is supplied as a single-dose, ready-to-use vial containing 3 mL of solution. No mixing or dilution is needed. Use one new vial for each nebulizer treatment.

Instructions for use

FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF YOUR NEBULIZER / COMPRESSOR OR THE DIRECTIONS GIVEN BY YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER. A TYPICAL EXAMPLE IS SHOWN NEARBY.

• Remove one vial from the foil pouch. Place remaining vials back into the pouch for storage.
• Twist the cap completely off the vial and squeeze the contents into the nebulizer reservoir (Figure 1).
• Connect the nebulizer to the mouthpiece or face mask (Figure 2).
• Connect the nebulizer to the compressor
• Sit in a comfortable, upright position; place the mouthpiece in your mouth (Figure 3) or put on the face mask (Figure 4); and turn on the compressor.
• Breathe as calmly, deeply and evenly as possible through your mouth until no more mist is formed in the nebulizer chamber (about 5 - 15 minutes). At this point, the treatment is finished.
• Clean the nebulizer (see manufacturer's instructions).