Combivent

Combivent contains a combination of albuterol and ipratropium. Albuterol and ipratropium are bronchodilators that relax muscles in the airways and increase air flow to the lungs.
Combivent is used to prevent bronchospasm in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are also using other medicines to control their condition.

Combivent contains 2 active substances: ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) and albuterol sulfate (Proventil; Ventolin). Ipratropium blocks m-cholinoreceptors of smooth muscles in the bronchi and treacheas, suppresses reflect constriction of bronchis, decreases secretion of the mucous membrane in the respiratory tract. The drug is used in treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with spasm of the airways.

Effect of bronchodilators consists in dilatation and enlargement of the airways by relaxing the muscles of respiratory tract. Ipatropium works different way, it has a structural similarity with acetylcholine and becomes its competitive antagonist. The medication effectively prevents spasm of the bronchi due to breathing with cigarette smoke, cold air, activity of different agents which cause spasm of bronchi associated with influence of n.vagus.

Possible side effects
If signs of allergic reaction become bothersome you should immediately contact your doctor or pharmacist. Other most frequent adverse reactions include bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing), especially after starting a new inhaler, uneven heart beats, chest pain and fast, pounding, increased blood pressure (severe headache, chest pain, numbness, seizure, blurred vision, trouble concentrating), swelling of your ankles or feet, pain or burning with urination.