Compare Combivent vs. Spiriva
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Makes it easier to breathe.
Combivent (ipratropium / albuterol) is effective for people who need 2 medications to control their COPD symptoms, but has to be used 4 times a day.
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3.4/ 5 average rating with 142 reviewsforCombivent
Makes it easier to breathe.
Spiriva (Tiotropium) works well to reduce COPD symptoms and flare-ups with fewer side effects than some medicines that open airways, but you have to use it every day.
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3.5/ 5 average rating with 74 reviewsforSpiriva
Upsides
- Effectively relieves symptoms of COPD.
- The Respimat inhaler doesn't require shaking before use, and only 1 inhalation per dose is needed.
- The nebulizer solution comes in a generic form and is much cheaper than the inhaler.
- Helps you breathe easier and lessens the need for a fast-acting (rescue) inhaler.
- Reduces flare-ups and hospitalizations with fewer side effects compared to some other medicines that open airways.
- You only need to take it once a day.
Downsides
- No generic form of the inhaler is currently available, so it can be very expensive for people without insurance.
- Can make your heart beat faster, which is an uncomfortable side effect. Might not be a good option for those with heart problems since the medicine can raise your heart rate and blood pressure.
- Can raise eye pressure and worsen symptoms for people who have a certain type of glaucoma.
- Can cause problems with urinating, so might not be appropriate for those with an enlarged prostate.
- Won't cure your COPD (but it will relieve your symptoms).
- You'll need to use this medicine for a long time, and you have to take it every day.
- Can make symptoms of enlarged prostate or urinary blockage worse.
- Can worsen a certain type of glaucoma.
- You might feel dizzy or have blurry vision while taking this medicine.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Inhaler
- Nebulizer solution
- Inhaler
Price
Lowest price
$12.88
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Reviews
142 reviews so far
63%
saidit'sworth it
37%
saiditworked well
13%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Combivent (ipratropium / albuterol)?
Leave a review74 reviews so far
64%
saidit'sworth it
46%
saiditworked well
8%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Spiriva (Tiotropium)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
11possible side effects
- Lung disease6%
- Common cold symptoms4%
- Sore throat4%
- Cough3%
- Headache3%
- Inflammation of lung airways3%
- Infection of airways, nose, and throat3%
- Chest pain3%
- Shortness of breath2%
- Diarrhea2%
- Urinary tract infection2%
36possible side effects
- Respiratory tract Infection41%
- Dry mouth16%
- Pharyngitis13%
- Sinusitis11%
- Chest pain (non-specific)7%
- Urinary tract Infection7%
- Dyspepsia6%
- Rhinitis6%
- Headache6%
- Edema, Dependent5%
- Abdominal pain5%
- Constipation5%
- Dry Mouth5%
- Vomiting4%
- Myalgia4%
- Infection4%
- Moniliasis4%
- Epistaxis4%
- Rash4%
- Depression4%
- Insomnia4%
- Arthralgia4%
- Allergic reaction3%
- Leg pain3%
- Dysphonia3%
- Parathesia3%
- Gastroinestinal disorder not otherwise specified3%
- Castroesophegeal reflux3%
- Stomatitis3%
- Hypercholesterolemia3%
- Hyperglycemia3%
- Skeletal pain3%
- Angina pectoris3%
- Herpes zoster3%
- Laryngitis3%
- Cataract3%
Risks and risk factors
- Sudden-onset difficulty breathing
- Effects on heart
- Using more Combivent (ipratropium / albuterol) than recommended
- People with heart problems
- People with high blood pressure
- People with an overactive thyroid
- Effects on eyes
- People with a history of narrow-angle glaucoma
- Difficulty urinating
- People with a history of urinary blockage
- People with an enlarged prostate
- Severe allergic reaction
- Life-threatening effects
- Using more Combivent (ipratropium / albuterol) than recommended
- Serious allergic reaction
- History of atropine allergic reaction
- Sudden onset difficulty breathing (paradoxical bronchospasm)
- Worsening glaucoma
- History of narrow-angle glaucoma
- Difficulty urinating
- History of urinary bladder blockage (urinary obstruction)
- History of enlarged prostate
- Serious allergic reaction
- Severe milk protein allergy
- Reduced kidney function
- History of moderate to severe kidney disease
- Feeling dizzy
- Taking with other anticholinergic medications