Anticholinergics

Atrovent®

Atrovent® (ipratropium) is a quick-relief medication more commonly used for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Atrovent® opens the airway by blocking reflexes through nerves that control the smooth muscle around the airways. It is slower-acting than the short-acting beta-agonists and can take 15-20 minutes to show a significant effect. Therefore, it is not a first-line, rapid-acting asthma rescue drug. Atrovent® may be useful following an inhaled beta-agonist to achieve a longer-lasting effect, especially during an acute attack. Atrovent® is available in two inhaled forms: as a metered-dose inhaler, and in a form suitable for use with a nebulizer.

Combivent®

Combivent® is a combination metered-dose-inhaler. Albuterol and Atrovent® are the medications combined in Combivent®. DuoNeb® is a combination solution for the nebulizer.  The beneficial effects have been observed primarily in persons with COPD. While it can be somewhat effective in the treatment of asthma, it is conventionally not used for this purpose.

This information has been approved by Phil Corsello, MD (June 2009).