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Maintenance and rescue medicines. Know the difference:
There are two types of medicine for COPD. They're known as maintenance and rescue. Depending on your condition and symptoms, your doctor may prescribe one type. Or both. Some patients are on multiple maintenance medicines.
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Work gradually and keep you breathing better longer than rescue medicine.
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Taken in times of emergency to help you catch your breath when symptoms suddenly get worse.
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-- Non-Steroid-Containing --
-- Steroid-Containing --
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Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. either owns or uses under license the Spiriva® HandiHaler®, Atrovent®, and Combivent® trademarks. The other trademarks referenced above are owned by third parties not affiliated with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
COPD can be treated at any stage.
There are many prescriptions available, both maintenance and rescue, for the treatment of COPD. Click here to learn about one maintenance option.
The information provided on this site is for general informational and educational purposes
only. You should always consult a doctor for diagnosing and treating a health or fitness
problem, and before using any drug product discussed on this site.
IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION for ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol
Atrovent® HFA Inhalation Aerosol (ipatropium bromide HFA) is indicated as a bronchodilator for maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to ipratropium bromide or other ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol components, or to atropine or its derivatives, and is not indicated for rescue therapy.
Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur after administration of ipratropium bromide, as demonstrated by rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis and oropharyngeal edema.
Inhaled medicines, including ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol, may cause paradoxical bronchospasm. If this occurs, treatment with ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol should be stopped and other treatments considered.
ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol should be used with caution in patients with narrow angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, or bladder-neck obstruction.
The most common drug-related adverse events associated with ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol were dry mouth and taste perversion (bitter taste).
Please see full Prescribing Information for ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol.
IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION for COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol
Combivent® Inhalation Aerosol (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) is indicated for use in patients with COPD on a regular aerosol bronchodilator who continue to have evidence of bronchospasm and who require a second bronchodilator.
COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to soya lecithin or related food products, such as soybean and peanut, and in patients hypersensitive to any other components of the drug product or to atropine or its derivatives.
Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur after administration of ipratropium bromide or albuterol sulfate, as demonstrated by rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, and oropharyngeal edema.
COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol can produce paradoxical bronchospasm that can be lifethreatening. If it occurs, the preparation should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted.
Extreme caution is advised in patients taking MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants. Use caution in patients with convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes mellitus, narrowangle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, or bladder-neck obstruction, and in those sensitive to sympathomimetic agents. Albuterol sulfate can produce significant cardiovascular results and hypokalemis, as well as life-threatening bronchospasm.
In clinical trials, the most frequently reported adverse events for COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol were bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache.
Please see full Prescribing Information for COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol.
IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION for Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder)
Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) is a once-daily inhaled maintenance prescription treatment for breathing problems (airway narrowing) associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
SPIRIVA does not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms.
Do not swallow the SPIRIVA capsule.
The most common side effect with SPIRIVA is dry mouth. Others include constipation and problems passing urine.
Tell your doctor about your medicines, including eye drops, and illnesses like glaucoma and urinary or prostate problems. These may worsen with SPIRIVA.
If you have vision changes, eye pain, your breathing suddenly worsens, you get hives, or your throat or tongue swells, stop taking SPIRIVA and contact your doctor.
Please see full Prescribing Information for SPIRIVA HandiHaler.
