Combivent Udvs
1. WHAT COMBIVENT IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
2. BEFORE YOU USE COMBIVENT
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER COMBIVENT® UDVS®
(ipratropium bromide and salbutamol sulphate)
Your medicine will be referred to as Combivent throughout the
remainder of this leaflet.
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this
medicine
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or practice nurse.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If any of the side effects gets troublesome or serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
1. What Combivent is and what it is used for
2. Before you use Combivent
3. How to use Combivent
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Combivent
6. Further information
The name of your medicine is Combivent UDV's. You use it with a device called a 'nebuliser'. This changes your medicine into a mist for you to breathe in. Combivent contains two different medicines called:
• Ipratropium bromide and
• Salbutamol sulphate
Both belong to a group of medicines called bronchodilators. They are used to make breathing easier in an illness called 'chronic obstructive pulmonary disease' or COPD. They work by opening up your airways.
Do not use Combivent if:
• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to ipratropium or salbutamol or any of the other ingredients in Combivent. (Listed in section 6: Further information)
• You are allergic to similar medicines which contain atropine or medicines like atropine
• You have a heart problem called 'hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy'. This is where the wall between the two sides of the heart gets bigger and blocks the blood flow
• You have a very fast heart beat (called 'tachyarrythmia')
• You are pregnant, likely to get pregnant or are breast-feeding Do not use if any of the above apply to you.
If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Combivent.
Take special care with Combivent
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if:
• You have glaucoma, or have been told that you may develop it
• You have heart or circulation problems, or have had a recent
heart attack
• You have diabetes
• You have an over-active thyroid gland
• You have problems passing water (urine)
• You are a man who has prostate problems
• You have cystic fibrosis
• You have ever had something called 'pheochromocytoma'. This is a rare tumour which is not malignant. Using your inhaler can make the symptoms of this worse.
If you are not sure if any of these apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Combivent.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines.
This is because Combivent can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some other medicines can affect the way Combivent works.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
• Steroid medicines such as prednisolone
• Water tablets (also called 'diuretics')
• Medicines for depression
• Medicines to help your breathing
• Medicines called 'anti-cholinergics'. These can be used to treat colic pain, Parkinson's Disease, problems passing water or lack of control of your bladder or bowels
• Medicines called 'beta blockers' such as propanolol. These can be used to treat heart problems, high blood pressure, anxiety or migraine
• Medicines called 'beta mimetics' such as fenoterol for breathing problems
• Digoxin - used for a fast heart beat or heart failure
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Combivent.
Operations
Some gases used in operations (anaesthetic gases) may affect how your medicine works. If you are about to have surgery, make sure you mention that you are taking Combivent to the doctor, dentist or anaesthetist.
Tests
If you have to provide an urine sample as part of a routine sport drug test, tell the person giving the test that you are taking this medicine. This is because Combivent contains salbutamol and this may lead to a positive result.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Do not use Combivent if you are pregnant, likely to get pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
You may feel dizzy, or have difficulty in focusing, or blurred vision whilst taking Combivent. If this happens do not drive or use tools or machines.
3. HOW TO USE COMBIVENT
Always use Combivent exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Follow these instructions to get the best results. If anything is unclear after reading this leaflet, ask your doctor, pharmacist or practice nurse.
How many dose units
The usual dose is the contents of 1 single dose unit, three or four times a day for:
Adults (including the elderly) and children over 12 years.
Combivent is not recommended for children under 12 years.
Do not swallow or give this medicine by injection.
Do not use more than your doctor has told you
See your doctor straight away if:
• You feel that your medicine is not working as well as usual
• You need to use the nebuliser more than your doctor has recommended.
Your doctor may need to check how well your medicine is working. In some cases your doctor may need to change your medicine.
How to use your nebuliser
Read through numbers 1 to 6 first, before starting to use your nebuliser.
1. Get your nebuliser ready by following the manufacturer's instructions. Ask your doctor if you are not sure how to use it.
2. Open the pouch and remove the strip of unit dose vials.
• Carefully separate a new dose unit from the strip
• Do not use if it is already open or if the liquid inside is discoloured
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