Ipratropium bromide/salbutamol, sold under the brand name Combivent among others, is a combination medication used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains ipratropium (an anticholinergic) and salbutamol (albuterol, a β2-adrenergic agonist).
Common side effects include sore throat, muscle cramps, and nausea. Other side effects may include bronchospasm, allergic reactions, and upper respiratory tract infections. Safety in pregnancy is unclear.
The combination was approved for medical use in the United States in 1996. It is available as a generic medication. In 2022, it was the 178th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.
Medical uses
Ipratropium bromide/salbutamol can be used for the treatment of COPD and asthma.
Society and culture
Since Combivent contains a chlorofluorocarbon-based propellant, its use was discontinued in 2013 in the United States and other countries. This is because chlorofluorocarbons are attributed to depletion of the ozone layer.
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