Combivent Respimat vs. ProAir

Combivent Respimat (ipratropium bromide and albuterol) Inhalation Spray and ProAir (fluticasone and salmeterol oral inhaler) are used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

ProAir is also used to treat asthma.

Both Combivent Respimat and ProAir contain a beta2-adrenergic bronchodilator. Combivent Respimat also contains an anticholinergic bronchodilator and ProAir also contains a corticosteroid.

Side effects of Combivent Respimat and ProAir that are similar include headache, cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, or sore throat), nausea, and vomiting.

Side effects of Combivent Respimat that are different from ProAir include flu-like symptoms, nervousness, difficulty breathing, urinary retention, and fast or irregular heartbeat.

Side effects of ProAir that are different from Combivent Respimat include upper respiratory tract infections, dizziness, stomach upset, diarrhea, yeast infections of the mouth or throat (oral thrush), sore throat, dry mouth/nose/throat, sinus pain, hoarseness or deepened voice, and musculoskeletal pain.

Both Combivent Respimat and ProAir may interact with diuretics (water pills) and antidepressants.

Combivent Respimat may also interact with other bronchodilators, bladder or urinary medicines, heart or blood pressure medications, medications for Parkinson's disease, stimulants, ADHD medications, diet pills, over-the-counter cold or allergy medicine, and medications to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcers, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome.

ProAir may also interact with amiodarone, HIV medicines, MAO inhibitors, antibiotics, antifungal medications, and beta-blockers.

Common side effects of Combivent Respimat include:

• headache,
• cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, or sore throat),
• flu-like symptoms,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• nervousness,
• difficulty breathing,
• urinary retention and
• fast or irregular heartbeat.

Serious side effects of Combivent Respimat include:

• bronchospasms,
• eye (ocular) changes, and
• heart (cardiac) complications.

Side effects of ProAir include:

• nervousness,
• shaking (tremor),
• headache,
• dizziness,
• mouth/throat dryness or irritation,
• sore throat,
• cough,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dizziness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• hoarseness,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• muscle pain, or
• diarrhea

Combivent Respimat (sunitinib malate) is a multi-kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor after disease progression on, or intolerance to imatinib mesylate, for advanced renal cell carcinoma, and for progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic disease. Combivent Respimat is available in generic form.

ProAir is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs used to prevent and treat wheezing and shortness of breath caused by breathing problems such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ProAir is also used to prevent exercise-induced asthma.

Combivent Respimat may interact with bladder or urinary medicines, diuretics (water pills), heart or blood pressure medications, medications for Parkinson's disease or depression, other bronchodilators, stimulants, ADHD medications, diet pills, over-the-counter cold or allergy medicine, or medication to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

ProAir may interact with other inhaled medicines, other asthma medicines, beta-blockers, diuretics, digoxin, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

The Combivent Respimat inhaler delivers 20 mcg of ipratropium bromide (monohydrate) and 100 mcg albuterol (equivalent to 120 mcg albuterol sulfate) from the mouthpiece. The recommended dose of Combivent Respimat is one inhalation four times a day. Patients may take additional inhalations as required; however, the total number of inhalations should not exceed six within 24 hours.

ProAir is a dry powder inhaler supplied for 200 measured inhalation doses.