Ipratropium + Salbutamol

USES
This medication is used to treat severe breathing trouble caused by ongoing lung diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, which include chronic bronchitis and emphysema). It helps to relax the muscles around your airways so that they open up to make breathing easier. It helps to reduce shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. This medication is a combination of 2 drugs, ipratropium and albuterol. Albuterol is also called salbutamol in some countries. Ipratropium is an anticholinergic bronchodilator and albuterol (salbutamol) is a beta-agonist bronchodilator.

HOW TO USE
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. This medication is used with a special machine called a nebulizer. Consult your healthcare professional for how to properly use the nebulizer and read the manufacturer's instructions. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.This medication does not require any mixing before use. Inhale this medication into your lungs using the nebulizer and mouthpiece/face mask, usually 4 times a day or as directed by your doctor.Avoid getting any medication into your eyes. It may help to close your eyes during use. This will reduce the risk of temporary blurred vision, other vision changes, eye pain, and worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma. If you do get some medication into your eyes, rinse them with water and call your doctor promptly if symptoms persist.Each treatment should last about 5-15 minutes. Rinse your mouth after treatment to prevent dry mouth and throat irritation. To prevent infections, clean the nebulizer according to the manufacturer's directions.Use this medication exactly as prescribed. Remember to use it at the same times each day. Do not increase your dose or use it more often than prescribed because serious side effects may occur. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.Inform your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen. Consult your doctor about what you should do in case this medication stops working well, or if you have worsening shortness of breath/cough, increased sputum, or worsening peak flow meter readings.

SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, blurred vision, dizziness, headache, nervousness, dry mouth, dry/sore throat, or voice changes may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: muscle cramps, vision changes, eye pain, trouble urinating, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat.Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain.Rarely, this medication has caused severe (possibly fatal), sudden worsening of breathing problems (paradoxical bronchospasm). Seek immediate medical attention if you experience increased wheezing/trouble breathing.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS
Before taking ipratropium/albuterol (salbutamol), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to atropine or other belladonna-type drugs; or if you have any other allergies.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems (e.g., irregular heartbeat, heart failure), high blood pressure, seizures, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), low potassium blood levels, diabetes, problems urinating, enlarged prostate, glaucoma (narrow-angle type).This drug may make you dizzy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during, and after treatment with this medication. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: anticholinergic drugs (e.g., atropine, scopolamine), certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine, meclizine), antispasmodic drugs (e.g., dicyclomine, hyoscyamine), certain anti-Parkinson's drugs (e.g., benztropine, trihexyphenidyl), some beta-blockers (such as propranolol), bladder control drugs (e.g., oxybutynin, tolterodine), pramlintide, stimulant-like drugs (e.g., ephedrine, epinephrine), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline), certain "water pills" (diuretics that cause potassium loss from the body such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide).Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: very fast or irregular heartbeat, unusual dizziness, seizures, chest pain.

MISSED DOSE
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE
Store U.S. product between 36-86 degrees F (2-30 degrees C) in the foil pouch or carton away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.Store Canadian product at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Note : This product information is intended only for residents of the India. Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited, medicines help to treat and prevent a range of conditions—from the most common to the most challenging—for people around the world.