What is Combivent HFA used for?
The Combivent HFA inhaler is prescribed for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as asthma. These illnesses are related to respiratory airways. In both cases, the airways become obstructed which leads to more limited airflow which in turn leads to shortness of breath. Both diseases have debilitating effects. The two components of this medication act using different mechanisms to treat these medical conditions. Ipratropium blocks the acetychloline from interacting with receptors on the bronchial muscles. This causes the contraction of the muscles to reduce. As a result, there is a reduction in the constriction of the airways which ends in increased airflow. Salbutamol binds to beta2-adrenergic-receptors on muscles which leads to smooth muscle relaxation. This leads to the dilation of the passages. It has been shown that bronchial muscles respond better to salbutamol when compared to ipratropium. However, salbutamol can have some cardiovascular side effects due to the presence of bet-adrenergic-receptors in the cardiac muscles of the heart.
Combivent HFA FAQs
How To Use Combivent HFA?
Use Combivent exactly as prescribed by your doctor and follow the directions they’ve given you. Do not use more or less of this medication or use it for longer than recommended.
Combivent is usually used 4 times per day. If you overuse Combivent, you may increase your risk of side effects or death. It is very important to follow your doctor’s instructions exactly.
Combivent HFA comes with instructions for safe and effective use as well as directions for priming your inhaler. Follow these instructions carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
Read on the box how many doses your inhaler has, and keep track of the number you’ve used. Throw the inhaler away after either 3 months or once you’ve used the indicated number of doses. Whichever comes first.
Use Combivent regularly to get the full benefits of this medication. Get your prescription refilled before you’re out of medication. Store Combivent at room temperature away from light, moisture, and heat. Don’t leave Combivent in your car when it’s hot out.
Combivent HFA Drug Interactions
Drug interactions can affect how your medication works or leave you at a greater risk for side effects. Some drugs that interact should never be used together. In other cases your doctor can make adjustments to the dosage or frequency of use for one or both medications so that you can safely take them together.
The following medications are known to interact with Combivent HFA:
This is not an exhaustive list of drug interactions for Combivent. If you are starting this medication make sure you speak with your doctor about drug interactions beforehand. You should always provide a list of medications you take (including prescription and non-prescription drugs and herbal/vitamin products) so that they can make sure you won’t run into drug interactions. If you have any questions about drug interactions you can call our customer service team at 1-844-416-4282 and asked to be transferred to a pharmacist for counselling.
What are Side Effects of Combivent HFA?
Along with the intended effects, Combivent might cause some unwanted side effects. Though not all of these side effects will occur, if you experience some, they may need medical attention. Talk with your doctor to determine which side effects require attention and which are normal and will go away with time.
If you experience any of the following side effects check in with your doctor as soon as possible:
More Common
- Body aches or pain
- chills
- cough
- cough producing mucus
- difficulty with breathing
- ear congestion
- fever
- headache
- loss of voice
- runny nose
- sneezing
- sore throat
- stuffy nose
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less Common
- Bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- blurred vision
- burning while urinating burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- chest pain
- congestion
- diarrhea
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- dizziness
- fainting
- fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- frequent urge to urinate
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- hoarseness
- increased sputum
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- muscle aches and pains
- nausea
- nervousness
- noisy breathing
- pain
- pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- pounding in the ears
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- shivering
- sweating
- swelling
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
- trouble sleeping
- trouble swallowing
- voice changes
- vomiting
Rare
- Skin rash or hives
- swelling of the face, lips, eyelids, mouth, or throat
Incidence Not Known
- Chest discomfort
- decrease in the frequency of urination
- decrease in urine volume
- difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
- itching skin
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- redness of the skin
- welts
Some of the side effects of Combivent do not need medical attention. These effects will subside with regular use as your body adjusts to the new medication. Check with your healthcare professional to find out if you can avoid some of these side effects or if they persist or become bothersome. The following side effects are mild and do not normally require medical attention:
Less Common
- Acid or sour stomach
- bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- belching
- change in taste
- diarrhea
- difficulty with moving
- dry mouth
- heartburn
- indigestion
- muscle pain or stiffness
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- voice changes
Incidence Not Known
- Bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)
- blindness
- change in near or distance vision
- decreased vision
- difficulty in focusing eyes
- dry throat
- eye pain
- increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
- itching, redness, tearing, or other sign of eye irritation not present before use of this medicine or becoming worse during use
- lack or loss of strength
- noisy breathing
- redness of the white part of the eyes or inside of the eyelids
- swelling of the eye
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
- tearing
This is not an exhaustive list of side effects that may come with Combivent usage. Talk to your doctor for more information on side effects.
If the following effects occur, check with your doctor right away:
Less Common
- Arm, back, or jaw pain
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Chest tightness or heaviness
- Chills
- Cold sweats
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Faintness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Headache
- Hearing loss
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
- Pounding in the ears
- Shortness of breath
- Slow or fast heartbeat
- Sweating
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Vomiting
Rare
- Painful or prolonged erection of the penis
Incidence Not Known
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- Blindness
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- Cough
- Cracks in the skin
- Decrease or change in vision
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty with speaking
- Double vision
- Fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- Headache, severe and throbbing
- Hives or welts
- Inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
- Inability to speak
- Itching
- Joint or muscle pain
- Loss of heat from the body
- Numbness or tingling of the face, hands, or feet
- Red irritated eyes
- Red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- Red, swollen skin
- Redness of the skin
- Redness or soreness of the eyes
- Scaly skin
- Skin rash
- Slow speech
- Sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- Sudden cardiac death
- Swelling of the feet or lower legs
There are some minor effects of Cialis that may not require medical attention. These will usually subside as your body adjusts to the medication.
You only need to bring these effects up with your doctor if they become bothersome:
More Common
- Acid or sour stomach
- Belching
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Less Common
- Bloody nose
- Body aches or pain
- Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
- Burning, dry, or itching eyes
- Burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- Congestion
- Difficulty with moving
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Dry mouth
- Dryness or soreness of the throat
- Excessive eye discharge
- Eye pain
- Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- Feeling of warmth, redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
- Fever
- Hoarseness
- Increased erection
- Lack or loss of strength
- Loose stools
- Muscle aching or cramping
- Muscle stiffness
- Nasal congestion
- Neck pain
- Pain
- Pain in the arms or legs
- Pain or burning in the throat
- Redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
- Reduced sensitivity to touch
- Runny nose
- Sensation of spinning
- Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- Sleeplessness
- Spontaneous penile erection
- Stomach upset
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Swelling or puffiness of the eyes or face
- Swollen joints
- Tearing
- Tender, swollen glands in the neck
- Tenderness in the stomach area
- Trouble with sleeping
- Unable to sleep
- Upper abdominal or stomach pain
- Voice changes
- Watering of the eyes
Rare
- Changes in color vision
This is not a complete list of side effects. You may experience other reactions to this medication. If you do experience additional side effects, contact your doctor immediately.