Ipratropium and albuterol are prescription medications that, when combined, treat symptoms of various lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While this combination medication does not cure these conditions, it does help patients with lung conditions prevent uncomfortable symptoms such as wheezing and coughing.

The combination of ipratropium and albuterol is available in its generic form or under brand names like Combivent and Duoneb. This medication is only available via prescription from a licensed health care provider.

The combination of ipratropium and albuterol is prescribed to help patients control the symptoms of various lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that narrows and irritates the lungs' airways. Asthma is a prevalent but non-contagious respiratory disease that usually begins in childhood and continues into adulthood. Asthma may vary in severity from person to person.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an umbrella term for several diseases that cause airflow blockage and difficulty with breathing. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common diseases classified under COPD.

Chronic bronchitis is long-term inflammation of the bronchioles and is characterized by productive coughing that occurs over several months to years. Chronic bronchitis may be caused by smoking tobacco products, air pollution, or allergens and may lead to COPD.

Emphysema is a condition that occurs when the air sacs in your lungs have become damaged. This can be caused by smoking, inhaling harmful chemicals, or regular exposure to air pollution. Emphysema is most commonly characterized by chronic shortness of breath that can lead to additional adverse symptoms.

These diseases cause similar symptoms, including:

• Chest tightness
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Difficulty breathing
  
• Coughing
  
• Wheezing
  

The combination of ipratropium and albuterol is prescribed to patients who cannot control their symptoms with a single bronchodilator inhalant.

Both of these drugs are classified as bronchodilators. These medications help relax the muscles surrounding the airways in the lungs (known as the bronchi) to help prevent lung damage and disease symptoms.

Symptoms of these conditions commonly occur after exercise or exposure to an irritant (such as secondhand smoke or airborne allergens). Bronchodilators help people mitigate and prevent the symptoms listed above by relaxing the muscles surrounding the airways and encouraging airflow to and from the lungs. This combination medication does not cure asthma or lung disease patients, but it can improve quality of life and prevent potentially severe breathing problems.

The use of this combination medication may cause side effects. Talk to your health care provider if these adverse reactions do not go away within a few days or become severe.

Mild side effects reported from ipratropium and albuterol use include:

• Tremors (uncontrollable shaking of the body)
  
• Nervousness
  
• Dizziness
  
• Headache
  
  

More serious side effects include:

• Tachycardia (fast or irregular heartbeat)
  
• Chest pain
  
• Rash/ hives
  
• Swelling of the face, throat, or extremities
  
• Difficulty breathing
  
• Sore throat
  
• Fever symptoms
  
• Difficulty with urination
  
  

Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. These are signs of a severe adverse reaction or overdose requiring medical treatment.

The specific dosage of this combination medication will vary depending on the condition requiring treatment and the patient’s age. Talk to your health care provider about administering this inhalant correctly and how often to use it.

Do not discontinue or increase your ipratropium and albuterol dosage without consulting your doctor first. Take the medication exactly as prescribed, and inform your doctor if you begin to experience any side effects while taking the medication.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regularly scheduled amount. Do not take a double dose of ipratropium and albuterol.

This combination medication should be stored in the container it’s supplied in. Keep these containers at room temperature, away from excess heat or moisture.

Do not freeze this medication.

Keep all medicines out of sight and out of the reach of children. Ensure that the caps of all medicine bottles are tightly closed and locked (if applicable).

This combination medication is only available by prescription from a licensed health care provider.

Looking for a prescription? Providers on Sesame can write you a prescription during a virtual or in-person visit. You can arrange for same-day pickup at your pharmacy, depending on the medication. Book an online consultation with a licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not ipratropium and albuterol might be right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Sesame cannot guarantee that you will be provided a prescription after a video or in-person appointment. Providers on Sesame are unable to prescribe controlled substances. For more information about controlled substances, check out the Drug Enforcement Agency’s scheduling guidelines here.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription for ipratropium and albuterol to be picked up near you—often within the same day. Don’t wait to get your prescription filled. Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your prescription ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your doctor.

Ipratropium and albuterol are generic drugs. This combination medication is available in its generic form or under brand names like:

• Combivent
  
• Duoneb