Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate

Adverse reaction information concerning Combivent® (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is derived from two 12-week controlled clinical trials (N=358 for COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol) as seen in Table 1.

Table 1 : All Adverse Events (in percentages), from Two Large Double-blind, Parallel, 12-Week Studies of Patients with COPD*

Additional adverse reactions, reported in less than two percent of the patients in the COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol treatment group include edema, fatigue, hypertension, dizziness, nervousness, paresthesia, tremor, dysphonia, insomnia, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, vomiting, arrhythmia, palpitation, tachycardia, arthralgia, angina, increased sputum, taste perversion, and urinary tract infection/dysuria.

Allergic-type reactions such as skin reactions including rash, pruritus, and urticaria (including giant urticaria), angioedema including that of tongue, lips and face, laryngospasm and anaphylactic reaction have been reported with Combivent® (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol, with positive rechallenge in some cases. Many of these patients had a history of allergies to other drugs and/or foods including soybean (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).

Post-Marketing Experience

In a 5-year placebo-controlled trial, hospitalizations for supraventricular tachycardia and/or atrial fibrillation occurred with an incidence rate of 0.5% in COPD patients receiving Atrovent® (ipratropium bromide) Inhalation Aerosol CFC.

Additional side effects identified from the published literature and/or post-marketing surveillance on the use of ipratropium bromide-containing products (singly or in combination with albuterol), include: hypersensitivity, pharyngeal edema, mouth edema, urinary retention, mydriasis, bronchospasm (including paradoxical bronchospasm), cases of precipitation or worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma, glaucoma, intraocular pressure increased, acute eye pain, halo vision, blurred vision, accommodation disorder, ocular irritation, corneal edema, conjunctival hyperaemia, nasal congestion, drying of secretions, mucosal ulcers, stomatitis, irritation from aerosol, throat irritation, dry throat, wheezing, exacerbation of COPD symptoms, hoarseness, palpitations, heartburn, drowsiness, CNS stimulation, coordination difficulty, flushing, alopecia, hypotension, edema, gastrointestinal distress (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting), gastrointestinal motility disorder, constipation, hypokalemia, mental disorder, hyperhidrosis, muscle spasms, muscular weakness, myalgia, asthenia, myocardial ischemia, diastolic blood pressure decreased, and systolic blood pressure increased.

Metabolic acidosis has been reported with use of albuterol-containing products.

The active components in DuoNeb® (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Solution are albuterol sulfate and ipratropium bromide.

Albuterol sulfate, is a salt of racemic albuterol and a relatively selective β2-adrenergic bronchodilator chemically described as α1-[(tert-butylamino)methyl]-4-hydroxy-mxylene-α, α'-diol sulfate (2:1) (salt). It has a molecular weight of 576.7 and the empirical formula is (C13H21NO3)2•H2SO4. It is a white crystalline powder, soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. The World Health Organization recommended name for albuterol base is salbutamol.

Figure 3 1-1: Chemical structure of albuterol sulfate

Ipratropium bromide is an anticholinergic bronchodilator chemically described as 8azoniabicyclo [3.2.1]-octane, 3-(3-hydroxy-1-oxo-2-phenylpropoxy)-8methyl-8-(1methylethyl)-, bromide, monohydrate (endo, syn)-, (±)-; a synthetic quaternary ammonium compound, chemically related to atropine. It has a molecular weight of 430.4 and the empirical formula is C20H30BrNO3•H2O. It is a white crystalline substance, freely soluble in water and lower alcohols, and insoluble in lipophilic solvents such as ether, chloroform, and fluorocarbons.

Figure 3. 1-2: Chemical structure of ipratropium bromide.

Each 3 mL vial of DuoNeb (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) contains 3.0 mg (0.1%) of albuterol sulfate (equivalent to 2.5 mg (0.083%) of albuterol base) and 0.5 mg (0.017%) of ipratropium bromide in an isotonic, sterile, aqueous solution containing sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid to adjust to pH 4, and edetate disodium, USP (a chelating agent).

DuoNeb (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) is a clear, colorless solution. It does not require dilution prior to administration by nebulization. For DuoNeb (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Solution, like all other nebulized treatments, the amount delivered to the lungs will depend on patient factors, the jet nebulizer utilized, and compressor performance. Using the Pari-LC-Plus™ nebulizer (with face mask or mouthpiece) connected to a PRONEB™ compressor system, under in vitro conditions, the mean delivered dose from the mouth piece (% nominal dose) was approximately 46% of albuterol and 42% of ipratropium bromide at a mean flow rate of 3.6 L/min. The mean nebulization time was 15 minutes or less. DuoNeb (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) should be administered from jet nebulizers at adequate flow rates, via face masks or mouthpieces (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Paradoxical Bronchospasm

In the clinical study of DuoNeb (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) , paradoxical bronchospasm was not observed. However, paradoxical bronchospasm has been observed with both inhaled ipratropium bromide and albuterol products and can be life-threatening. If this occurs, DuoNeb (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted.

Do Not Exceed Recommended Dose

Fatalities have been reported in association with excessive use of inhaled products containing sympathomimetic amines and with the home use of nebulizers.

Cardiovascular Effect

DuoNeb (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) , like other beta adrenergic agonists, can produce a clinically significant cardiovascular effect in some patients as measured by pulse rate, blood pressure, and/or symptoms. Although such effects are uncommon for DuoNeb (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) at recommended doses, if they occur, the drug may need to be discontinued. In addition, beta agonists have been reported to produce ECG changes, such as flattening of the T-wave, prolongation of the QTc interval, and ST segment depression. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown. Therefore, DuoNeb (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) , like other sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension.

Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions

Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to albuterol and/or ipratropium bromide may occur after the administration of DuoNeb (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) as demonstrated by rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, pruritus, oropharyngeal edema, bronchospasm, and anaphylaxis.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin), ipratropium (Atrovent), or atropine (Atreza, Lomotil, Vi-Atro, Sal-Tropine). Do not use Combivent if you are allergic to soybeans, peanuts, or other food products that contain soya lecithin.

To make sure this medication is safe for you, tell your doctor about your other medical conditions, especially:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or heart rhythm disorder;
• a seizure disorder such as epilepsy;
• diabetes;
• overactive thyroid;
• glaucoma;
• enlarged prostate, problems with urination;
• liver or kidney disease; or
• if you are allergic to soybeans, peanuts, or other food products that contain soya lecithin.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether albuterol and ipratropium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medication.