Uses
What the official label says Albuterol and ipratropium is used for
Albuterol and ipratropium is a prescription inhalation solution that combines two kinds of bronchodilators, medicines that open the airways. The label says it is used to treat bronchospasm (tightening of the airways) linked to COPD in people who need more than one bronchodilator.
Your prescriber or pharmacist can explain how this medicine fits into a COPD treatment plan.
Read the label's “Indications and usage” section (verbatim)
Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution is indicated for the treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD in patients requiring more than one bronchodilator.
Names & forms
Brand names, forms and strengths
Brand names (from RxNorm; not every brand is still sold): Combivent.
Generic name: albuterol and ipratropium · RxNorm ID (RxCUI): 214199
| Form | Strengths listed in RxNorm |
|---|---|
| Inhalation Solution | albuterol 1 MG/ML / ipratropium bromide 0.2 MG/ML, albuterol 0.833 MG/ML / ipratropium bromide 0.167 MG/ML |
| Inhalation Spray | albuterol 0.1 MG/ACTUAT / ipratropium bromide 0.02 MG/ACTUAT |
Strengths are listed so you can recognise a product — not as dosing information. Only your prescriber can decide what is right for you.
Appearance
What Albuterol and ipratropium looks like
The DailyMed product data we retrieved does not include colour or shape details for Albuterol and ipratropium (common for respiratory (inhalation) products). Appearance varies by manufacturer — your pharmacist can confirm what yours should look like.
Read the label's “How supplied” section (verbatim)
Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution, USP is supplied as a 3 mL sterile solution for nebulization in sterile low-density polyethylene unit-dose vials. Store vials in pouch until time of use. Supplied in cartons as listed below. NDC 64980-645-03: 30 vials per carton / 5 vial per foil pouch NDC 64980-645-06: 60 vials per carton / 5 vials per foil pouch Storage and Handling PROTECT FROM LIGHT. The unit-dose vial should remain stored in the protective foil pouch until time of use. Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F and 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Distributed by: Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. East Brunswick, NJ 08816 Manufactured by: Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation West Columbia, SC 29172 For Customer Service Call: 1-844-874-7464 IC 3026 Issued: 02/2025
Safety
Important warnings for Albuterol and ipratropium
In plain English, the label's key warnings include:
- The label says paradoxical bronchospasm, a sudden worsening of airway tightness, has been seen with inhaled ipratropium and albuterol products and can be life-threatening.
- Deaths have been reported with excessive use of inhaled products of this type and with home use of nebulizers.
- It can affect pulse rate, blood pressure and heart rhythm tests (ECG), so the label says it is used with caution in people with heart disease, irregular heartbeat or high blood pressure.
- Immediate allergic reactions, including hives, swelling, rash, throat swelling, bronchospasm and anaphylaxis, have rarely occurred.
Contraindications — who should not use it (verbatim)
Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of its components, or to atropine and its derivatives.
Warnings and precautions (verbatim excerpt)
PARADOXICAL BRONCHOSPASM In the clinical study of Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution, paradoxical bronchospasm was not observed. However, paradoxical bronchospasm has been observed with both inhaled ipratropium bromide and albuterol products and can be life-threatening. If this occurs, Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted. DO NOT EXCEED RECOMMENDED DOSE Fatalities have been reported in association with excessive use of inhaled products containing sympathomimetic amines and with the home use of nebulizers. CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution, like other beta-adrenergic agonists, can produce a clinically significant cardiovascular effect in some patients as measured by pulse rate, blood pressure, and/or symptoms. Although such effects are uncommon for Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution at recommended doses, if they occur, the drug may need to be discontinued. In addition, beta-agonists have been reported to produce ECG changes, such as flattening of the T-wave, prolongation of the QTc interval, and ST segment depression. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown. Therefore, Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution, like other sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. IMMEDIATE HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to albuterol and/or ipratropium bromide may occur after the administration of Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution as demonstrated by rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, pruritis, oropharyngeal edema, bronchospasm, and anaphylaxis.
Side effects — opening of the label's adverse reactions section
Adverse reaction information concerning Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution was derived from the 12-week controlled clinical trial. Additional adverse reactions reported in more than 1% of patients treated with Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution included constipation and voice alterations. In the clinical trial, there was a 0.3% incidence of possible allergic-type reactions, including skin rash, pruritis, and urticaria. …
Drug interactions — opening of the label's section
Anticholinergic agents Although ipratropium bromide is minimally absorbed into the systemic circulation, there is some potential for an additive interaction with concomitantly used anticholinergic medications. Caution is, therefore, advised in the co-administration of Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution with other drugs having anticholinergic properties. β-adrenergic agents Caution is advised in the co-administration of Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution and other sympathomimetic agents due to the increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects. β-receptor blocking agents These agents and albuterol sulfate inhibit the effect of each other. β-receptor blocking agents should be used with caution in patients with hyperreactive airways, and if used, relatively selective β 1 selective agents are recommended. …
This is not a complete list of warnings or side effects. Read the full label and talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. To report a side effect to the FDA, use MedWatch.
Resources
If you were hurt at work
Whether a medicine is right for you is a decision for your prescriber. If you were injured on the job, these educational guides explain the next steps and who can help.
- Injured at work? →What to do after a workplace injury and how workers' comp generally works.
- Prescription home delivery →How mail-order pharmacies can deliver prescriptions to your door.
- Find help →Connect with workers' comp attorneys and doctors who take work-injury cases.
- Pharmacies near you →Search local pharmacies by ZIP code.