Combivent vs. Spiriva HandiHaler

• Are Combivent and Spiriva HandiHaler the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Combivent?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Spiriva HandiHaler?
• What Is Combivent?
• What Is Spiriva HandiHaler?
• What drugs interact with Combivent?
• What drugs interact with Spiriva HandiHaler?
• How Should Combivent Be Taken?
• How Should Spiriva HandiHaler Be Taken?

Combivent (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) and Spiriva HandiHaler (tiotropium bromide) are used to treat and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, which includes bronchitis and emphysema).

Combivent is a combination of an anticholinergic bronchodilator and a selective beta2-adrenergic bronchodilator and Spiriva HandiHaler is an anticholinergic drug.

Side effects of Combivent and Spiriva HandiHaler that are similar include dry mouth or cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, or sore throat.

Side effects of Combivent that are different from Spiriva HandiHaler include headache, dizziness, nausea, shaking (tremors), or nervousness.

Side effects of Spiriva HandiHaler that are different from Combivent include constipation, upset stomach, vomiting, nosebleed, or muscle pain.

Both Combivent and Spiriva HandiHaler may interact with medications to treat excess stomach acid or stomach ulcer, medications to treat irritable bowel syndrome, or medicines to treat motion sickness.

Combivent may also 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, or over-the-counter cold or allergy medicines.

Spiriva HandiHaler may also interact with atropine or belladonna.

Side effects of Combivent include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• dry mouth,
• shaking (tremors),
• nervousness, or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, or sore throat.

Common side effects of Spiriva HandiHaler include:

• dry mouth,
• constipation,
• upset stomach,
• vomiting,
• cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat),
• nosebleed, or
• muscle pain.

Tell your doctor if you have any serious side effects of Spiriva HandiHaler including:

• difficult or painful urination, or
• fast heartbeat.

Combivent (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) is an inhaler that is a combination of an anticholinergic bronchodilator and a selective beta2-adrenergic bronchodilator used to treat and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD which includes bronchitis and emphysema).

Spiriva HandiHaler (tiotropium bromide) Inhalation Powder is an anticholinergic drug used to prevent bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways in the lungs) in people with bronchitis, emphysema, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

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

Spiriva may interact with atropine, belladonna, cimetidine, clidinium, dicyclomine, glycopyrrolate, hyoscyamine, mepenzolate, methantheline, methscopolamine, propantheline, or scopolamine. Tell your doctor all medications you use. During pregnancy, Spiriva should be used only when prescribed. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The dose of Combivent Inhalation Aerosol is two inhalations four times a day.

The recommended dose of Spiriva HandiHaler is two inhalations of the powder contents of one Spiriva capsule, once-daily, with the HandiHaler device.