Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a serious health condition. More than 12 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD, and it is estimated that 12 million others may have the disease without realizing it. Doctors call COPD “chronic” because it’s ongoing and never goes away completely.
If you have COPD, you’re likely to experience a bronchospasm—a sudden, temporary tightening of the muscles surrounding your airways. What’s more, with COPD:
As a result, the more your airways are constricted and damaged, the harder it is to draw air into your lungs.
COPD is actually a group name for two related conditions: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. If you’ve been diagnosed with COPD, you may have either one of these conditions or both at the same time.
While polluted air, dust, and genetic factors may play a role, the number one cause of COPD in the United States is smoking. If you smoke now or have a history of smoking, you may have already experienced some or all of the following symptoms of COPD:
COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. If you experience the symptoms of COPD, talk to your doctor. That “smoker’s cough” could be an early warning sign of a potentially life-threatening condition.
If you’ve been diagnosed with COPD or think you may be experiencing symptoms, take steps to quit smoking immediately. It’s the only way to slow the progression of COPD, a disease that gets worse over time and may be associated with other related health conditions.
If you need help quitting, ask your doctor to recommend a smoking cessation plan as soon as possible. You’ll also find advice and tips on quitting smoking at LungUSA.org, the official site of the American Lung Association.
Important Safety Information
COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol is indicated for use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on a regular aerosol bronchodilator who continue to have evidence of bronchospasm and who require a second bronchodilator.
COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol should not be used in patients who:
COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol can cause the narrowing of the airways to get worse (paradoxical bronchospasm) in some patients, which may be life threatening. If this happens, stop taking COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol at once and call your doctor or get emergency help.
COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol can cause serious allergic reactions. Symptoms include itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (which may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing), skin rash, hives, bronchospasm (airway narrowing), or anaphylaxis. If you experience any of these symptoms stop taking COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol at once and call your doctor or get emergency help.
COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol can cause serious heart-related side effects, such as an increase in pulse, blood pressure, and/or related symptoms.
Deaths have been reported with similar inhaled medicines in asthma patients who use the medicine too much. Do not use COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol more often than your healthcare provider has directed.
Certain medical conditions may increase your risk of side effects.
Tell your healthcare provider about all your conditions and medicines you take, including if you:
Read the step-by-step Patient's Instructions for use before using this medicine.
Remember to vigorously shake your COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol for 10 seconds before each use or inhalation.
Do not get the spray into your eyes.
The most common side effects reported with use of COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol include bronchitis, infection of the ears, nose, and throat, headache, shortness of breath, and cough.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Instructions for Use.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.