Combivent is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (often abbreviated to COPD) treatment that is available in the form of nebuliser. Marketed in the UK by Boehringer Ingelheim pharmaceutical company, this medication is based on two distinct active ingredients, both of which are, however, aimed at facilitating dilation of the airways and thus contributing to easier breathing. Highly adept at mitigating the symptoms of COPD, Combivent is supplied in a specialised nebuliser device which makes it exceptionally easy to use and suitable to carry with you at all times.

What’s on this page?

COPD: A general introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short, is so-called umbrella term denoting number of different conditions affecting the lungs and the airways, including chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive airways disease and emphysema. While different in their nature, all of these conditions cause the same array of symptoms including shortness of breath (especially during and following physical strain), phlegmy cough and recurrent chest infection problems.

While often confused with asthma due to similarity in symptoms, COPD is caused not by occasional inflammations, but by long-lasting damage to the airways. Due to this, COPD is usually marked by more frequent or even continuous symptoms, as opposed to asthma which is characterised by occasional exacerbations.

How does Combivent help with COPD?

Combivent is based on two active ingredients, salbutamol sulphate and ipratropium bromide, which belong to different classes of pharmaceutical compounds. While the former is classified as a beta-2 agonist which is, as such, commonly used in reliever asthma treatments, the latter is used in pharmacology as a signal blocker. These differences cause these compounds to work in slightly different ways once they are introduced into the system.

Salbutamol is highly adept at soothing irritation and mitigating the characteristic shortness of breath by inhibiting the activity of beta-2 receptors within the body, subsequently facilitating the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue lining the airways. Once this occurs, the airways will also expand, allowing the person affected to breath much easier.

On the other hand, ipratropium bromide has a somewhat different mechanism of action, albeit with the same end result. As muscarinic receptors can often be overstimulated by a neurotransmitter acetylchoiline in those affected by COPD, thus leading to narrowing of the muscles lining the airways, this pharmaceutical compound will interfere with the process, making it impossible for muscarinic receptors to send a signal to the muscles to contract. By doing so, ipratropium will successfully contribute to further dilation of the airways and eliminate the shortness of breath.

Can I buy Combivent online in the UK?

Yes, it is possible to buy Combivent online. However, you should keep in mind that within the UK, Combivent is a prescription-only medication and as such it can be obtained only with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. But, if you’re not too keen on taking a day off work to wait at your doctor’s and later in the pharmacy, you might be interested in ordering Combivent online.

This can be done fairly simply through any one of numerous online clinics operating within the United Kingdom. Some of those will offer only a prescription renewal, while others might be more open towards actually issuing the prescription first time. In both scenarios, you will be asked to fill in a detailed medical questionnaire that will help the doctor employed at the online clinic of your choice to determine whether you are suitable for Combivent treatment.

If everything checks out, the doctor will issue the prescription and forward it to the partner pharmacy, so that Combivent can be delivered to the address you provided as soon as possible.

How to use Combivent?

In order to ensure the best possible results with Combivent while at the same time minimising the risk of experiencing side effects, you should always follow the instructions provided by your prescriber. And if you need a quick recap, you can always refer to the official patient information that is supplied within every pack of the medicine. There, you will find a detailed step by step guide that will inform you on how to safely and efficiently use Combivent.

Please note that the text that follows is not a complete guideline and as such it cannot be used as a substitute for the official information or the doctor’s directions. Instead, the main points outlined below serve as a kind of illustration that should help you get a better idea of what should you expect from your Combivent treatment.

  • Always use exactly as instructed
  • The usual dose for COPD treatment is one dose unit, inhaled three to four times daily
  • Combivent is supplied in a nebuliser device – use it as instructed
  • To prepare the nebuliser, first separate one vial
  • Remove the top and squeeze the contents into the nebuliser cup
  • If you will be required to dilute the solution, doctor will instruct you on how to do this
  • Proceed to use the nebuliser according to instructions provided in the patient information leaflet
  • Never exceed the prescribed dose
  • If you are unsure about how to operate the nebuliser, ask your doctor or a nurse to demonstrate it to you

For a comprehensive step-by-step guide that includes the instructions on how to use the nebuliser device, please refer to the official patient information leaflet.

What are Combivent side effects?

While Combivent is considered to be a rather safe and reliable medication, certain side effects can manifest in people especially susceptible to them. The side effect that you should be most aware of is, as is the case with most other medications, the possibility of an allergic reaction. So, if you notice any signs and symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction or worsening of your symptoms following use, you should immediately contact your doctor or the local emergency service and ask for advice.

Other documented side effects include:

Uncommon (1 in 100 users) Rare (1 in 1000 users)
·       Coughing

·       Migraines

·       Nervousness

·       Shakiness

·       Dizziness

·       Throat irritation

·       Dryness of the mouth

·       General malaise

·       Increase in blood pressure

·       Increase in heart rate

·       Uneven heartbeat

·       Hoarse voice

·       Skin reactions

 

 

 

·       Abnormally fast heart rate

·       Chest pain

·       Blurred vision

·       Pupil dilation

·       Glaucoma

·       Painful, stinging or red eyes

·       Swelling of the eyes

·       Seeing flashes of light and colour

·       Swelling in the throat

·       Difficulties breathing

·       Inflammation of the mouth

·       Diarrhoea

·       Constipation

·       Weakness

·       Fall in blood pressure

·       Mood changes

Please note that this is not a complete list of all documented side effects. For a more comprehensive overview, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that you can find within your pack of Combivent.