Combivent Respimat

Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD on May 4, 2023
Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ipratropium/albuterol to treat bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways in your lungs) due to COPD. It’s used in adults who need more than one bronchodilator to treat this condition.

This article describes ipratropium/albuterol’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of ipratropium/albuterol.

Ipratropium/albuterol may cause mild or serious side effects (also known as adverse effects). More common mild side effects of ipratropium/albuterol and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about ipratropium/albuterol’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for ipratropium/albuterol.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with ipratropium/albuterol inhalation solution are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Ipratropium/albuterol’s mild side effects include:

• sore throat
• chest discomfort
• diarrhea
• infection, such as urinary tract infection (UTI) or bronchitis
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for ipratropium/albuterol” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of ipratropium/albuterol inhalation solution are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, ipratropium/albuterol’s serious side effects include:

• paradoxical bronchospasm (when the narrowing of your airways gets worse instead of better)
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for ipratropium/albuterol” section below.

The dosage of ipratropium/albuterol your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should use.

Inhaling ipratropium/albuterol

Ipratropium/albuterol is a liquid solution that you inhale using a nebulizer attached to a mouthpiece or mask. A nebulizer works by turning a liquid solution into a mist that you inhale through a mouthpiece or mask. A healthcare professional will show you how to use a nebulizer.

It usually takes about 5–15 minutes to inhale one dose of ipratropium/albuterol.  

You shouldn’t eat while you’re taking a dose of ipratropium/albuterol, but you can eat before or after each dose.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to use ipratropium/albuterol. They’ll explain how much to inhale and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of ipratropium/albuterol

You should not inhale more ipratropium/albuterol than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much ipratropium/albuterol, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about ipratropium/albuterol.

How does ipratropium/albuterol compare with other similar drugs, such as tiotropium?

Ipratropium is one of the drugs in ipratropium/albuterol and is similar to tiotropium. Both ipratropium and tiotropium are prescribed to treat breathing problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Tiotropium is an ingredient in the following brand-name drugs:

• Stiolto Respimat inhaler
• Spiriva HandiHaler inhaler
• Spiriva Respimat inhaler

Your doctor or a pharmacist can tell you more about how ipratropium/albuterol compares with similar drugs, including tiotropium.

Can ipratropium/albuterol be used for asthma?

By itself, albuterol is commonly prescribed to treat asthma. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved the combination drug ipratropium/albuterol for asthma. However, doctors may prescribe ipratropium/albuterol off-label for this purpose.

With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about treatment options for asthma.

How does ipratropium/albuterol work? And how long does it take to start working?

Ipratropium and albuterol are two drugs that work together to open or widen the airways in your lungs. This effect is called bronchodilation. Treatment with ipratropium/albuterol makes it easier to breathe for people with COPD.

Ipratropium/albuterol starts working within 15 minutes to treat symptoms of COPD, such as shortness of breath. It keeps working for up to 5 hours after you take a dose.

Your doctor or a pharmacist can tell you more about how ipratropium/albuterol works and what to expect with treatment.

Is ipratropium/albuterol an anticholinergic?

Ipratropium and albuterol are short-acting bronchodilators (drugs used to widen the airways in the lungs). Specifically, ipratropium belongs to a drug class called anticholinergics. Albuterol belongs to a drug class called short-acting beta-agonists.

Anticholinergic drugs are known for causing certain side effects, such as constipation and blurred vision. Ipratropium/albuterol may cause these side effects, but they are usually mild if they occur.

This is because the drug is inhaled and mainly works in your lungs. Very little of the drug absorbs into your bloodstream, so it doesn’t significantly affect other areas of your body. However, using ipratropium/albuterol in combination with other anticholinergic drugs may increase the risk or severity of these side effects.

You can talk with your doctor or a pharmacist to learn more about how ipratropium/albuterol is classified.

Can ipratropium/albuterol be used with Trelegy Ellipta?

Doctors may prescribe ipratropium/albuterol or Trelegy Ellipta to treat your COPD, but they usually aren’t prescribed together. This is because these medications contain similar ingredients and work in similar ways.

Trelegy Ellipta is a brand-name inhaler. It contains three drugs: fluticasone (a steroid), umeclidinium (an anticholinergic), and vilanterol (a long-acting beta-agonist). These ingredients help to reduce swelling and damage and open the air passages in your lungs, making it easier to breathe. 

Ipratropium/albuterol is a liquid solution that you inhale using a nebulizer. It’s a generic* medication that contains two drugs: ipratropium (an anticholinergic) and albuterol (a short-acting beta-agonist). These ingredients work together to widen the airways in your lungs.

* A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

Is it safe to use expired ipratropium/albuterol?

No, because medications may no longer be effective after they expire. It’s important to use ipratropium/albuterol that’s within its expiration date. You should not use the drug if it’s expired.

If your ipratropium/albuterol is expired, talk with your pharmacist or doctor to refill or renew your prescription.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as ipratropium/albuterol for certain conditions. Approved uses for ipratropium/albuterol are described below.

Use for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Doctors may prescribe ipratropium/albuterol for treating COPD. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

COPD is a group of lung conditions that get worse over time. COPD includes emphysema, long-term bronchitis, or both. These conditions cause swelling, damage, and bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways) in your lungs.

Specifically, the FDA has approved ipratropium/albuterol to treat bronchospasm due to COPD. It’s used in people who need more than one bronchodilator to manage their symptoms. (Bronchodilators are a group of drugs. Ipratropium and albuterol belong to this group.)

Symptoms of bronchospasm can include:

• shortness of breath
• wheezing
• coughing
• chest tightness
• excess mucus
• fatigue (low energy)

Ipratropium/albuterol inhalation solution isn’t a cure for COPD, but it can help lessen the symptoms. The drug works by causing the airways in your lungs to widen. This makes it easier to breathe.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for ipratropium/albuterol by using our Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for ipratropium/albuterol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Below, you’ll find information about ipratropium/albuterol’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of ipratropium/albuterol

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take/use ipratropium/albuterol, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for ipratropium/albuterol” section just below.

Warnings for ipratropium/albuterol

Some people should not use ipratropium/albuterol and others should use it cautiously.

Ipratropium/albuterol could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether ipratropium/albuterol is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for ipratropium/albuterol, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Ipratropium/albuterol can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to ipratropium/albuterol or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe ipratropium/albuterol. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to ipratropium/albuterol, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and ipratropium/albuterol

Information about ipratropium/albuterol and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Ipratropium/albuterol and pregnancy

It’s not known whether ipratropium/albuterol should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Ipratropium/albuterol and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether ipratropium/albuterol should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

This article describes ipratropium/albuterol’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about ipratropium/albuterol or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Should I use ipratropium/albuterol even when I don’t have symptoms?
• Are there other options if ipratropium/albuterol doesn’t help lower my symptoms enough?
• Can I use my albuterol inhaler as needed between doses of ipratropium/albuterol?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate- ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/18eb6536-3ec4-41b1-aeb8-df82ace1b28e/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.