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Details for: TEVA-COMBO STERINEBS

Company: TEVA CANADA LIMITED

DIN DIN name Active Ingredient(s) Strength Dosage Form Route of Administration
02272695TEVA-COMBO STERINEBSSALBUTAMOL (SALBUTAMOL SULFATE); IPRATROPIUM BROMIDE (IPRATROPIUM BROMIDE MONOHYDRATE)2.5 MG / 2.5 ML; 0.5 MG / 2.5 MLSOLUTIONINHALATION
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Consumer Information

This information was provided by the drug’s manufacturer when this drug product was approved for sale in Canada. It is designed for consumers and care givers. It is a summary of information about the drug and will not tell you everything about the drug. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the drug.

What the medication is used for

TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® is used to treat the wheezing or shortness of breath caused by COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema).

What it does

TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® is a combination of two drugs that are bronchodilators: ipratropium bromide (an anticholinergic) and salbutamol (a beta-agonists). TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® works by relaxing the muscle surrounding the bronchi (airways in the lungs) and therefore helps to ease breathing problems.

You may already be familiar with one or both of these bronchodilators, since they are also available separately, with a prescription as TevaIpratropium (Ipratropium bromide) and TevaSalbutamol (salbutamol).

When it should not be used

Do not take TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs®

  • if you are allergic to ipratropium bromide or other drugs which are anticholinergic (contain atropine or its derivatives), salbutamol sulphate, or to any component of TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® (see “What the nonmedicinal ingredients are”);
  • if you have a fast or irregular heart beat or have a thickened heart muscle due to various conditions;
  • if you are under 18 years of age.
What the medicinal ingredient is

Ipratropium bromide monohydrate and salbutamol sulphate.

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

Sodium chloride and hydrochloric acid.

What dosage form it comes in

TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® (Salbutamol Sulphate and Ipratropium Bromide inhalation solution) is supplied in plastic single dose units in strips of 5 with a foil overwrap, each containing 0.5 mg ipratropium bromide (as monohydrate) and 2.5 mg salbutamol (as salbutamol sulphate) in a 2.5 mL isotonic preservative-free solution for inhalation by ventilator or compressor-driven nebulizer. There are 4 strips per carton for a carton size of 20 unit dose vials

Warnings and precautions

The solution is intended for inhalation only. Do not inject or drink.

Do not let the nebulized mist get into your eyes as this may cause blindness known as acute angle glaucoma. This may present as eye pain or discomfort, blurred vision, visual halos or coloured images in association with red eyes. If any combination of these symptoms occurs, seek immediate medical attention. Patients with glaucoma should use swimming goggles or a nebulizer with a mouthpiece to prevent nebulized solution getting into the eyes.

BEFORE you use TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you:

  • are pregnant or intend to become pregnant;
  • are breast feeding;
  • are having treatment for a thyroid or adrenal gland condition;
  • are having treatment for high blood pressure, angina or a heart problem;
  • have diabetes;
  • have low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), especially if you are taking:
    • drugs known as xanthine derivatives (such as theophylline)
    • steroids to treat asthma
    • water pills (diuretics)
  • have eye problems, such as glaucoma, or eye pain;
  • are taking any other medications including eye drops or any medications you can buy without a prescription;
  • have difficulty in urination;
  • have enlarged prostate;
  • have any allergies or reactions to foods or drugs;
  • have a history of convulsions (uncontrolled shaking or seizures);
  • have liver or kidney disease.
Contact your doctor immediately if:
  • you require more than one dose to relieve your breathing problems;
  • your shortness of breath becomes worse;
  • you don’t get the same benefit from your medicine as you did before;
  • you have breathing difficulties and chest pain;
  • you experience difficulty with urination.
TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® may cause dizziness, difficulty in focusing the eye, dilated pupils, and blurred vision. You should not drive or operate machinery if this occurs.

The use of TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® may test positive for performance enhancement (doping) in athletic competition.
Interactions with this medication
Do not mix TEVA-COMBO STERINEB with other drugs in the same nebulizer.

As with most medicines, interactions with other drugs are possible. Tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about all the medicines you take, including drugs prescribed by other doctors, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements, or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® :

  • digitalis;
  • other anticholinergic drugs, such as ipratropium bromide and other beta2- adrenergic agents such as salbutamol, the individual ingredients of TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® ;
  • beta blockers, such as propranolol;
  • xanthine derivatives such as theophylline;
  • monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as isocarboxazid
  • tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline;
  • epinephrine;
  • certain diuretics or “water pills” such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide.
Proper use of this medication

TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® should only be inhaled from a nebulizer. It must not be injected or swallowed.

Do not let the TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® or the mist produced by the nebulizer, get in your eyes.

Use your nebulizer in a well ventilated room. Some of the mist will be released into the air and may be breathed in by others.

Use TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® only as directed by your doctor. During administration your doctor may want to monitor your blood.

Treatment with TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® is to be initiated and administered under medical supervision (e.g. in the hospital setting). Home based treatment can be recommended in exceptional cases (severe symptoms or experienced patients requiring higher doses) when a low dose rapid acting beta-agonist bronchodilator has been insufficient in providing relief after consultation with an experienced physician. Administration should be stopped when sufficient symptom relief is achieved.

TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® has been prescribed to treat your current condition. DO NOT give it to other people. Always use TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® should be used only in a properly functioning and regularly maintained nebulizer or an intermittent positive pressure ventilator. Before starting treatment, be certain that you are completely familiar with the use and proper care of your nebulizer. The content of the unit dose vials does not need to be diluted for nebulization.

Not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Usual Adult Dose

The recommended dosage is 1 unit dose vial (0.50 mg ipratropium bromide (as ipratropium bromide monohydrate) and 2.5 mg salbutamol (as salbutamol sulfate) in 2.5 mL) three or four times daily.

If one unit dose vial does not improve your breathing difficulties, you may need another unit dose vial. If this is the case, you should contact your doctor or the nearest hospital.

Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how to prepare your TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® solution for inhalation. Your doctor or pharmacist might instruct you to use sterile sodium chloride solution (0.9%) to dilute the TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® . If you are told to dilute TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® solution, you must do so immediately before you plan to use the solution. If necessary, doses may be diluted to a total nebulization volume of 3-5 mL with preservative free 0.9% sterile sodium chloride solution and used immediately. Discard any unused solution. Nebulize over 10-15 minutes at gas flow of 6-10L/min. Repeat every six hours as necessary.

Please read and carefully follow these instructions:


  1. Open the pouch foil and detach one plastic vial by pulling it firmly from the strip.

  2. Open the vial by twisting off the top. It is important that you use the contents of the vial as soon as possible after opening it.

  3. Squeeze the contents of the plastic vial into your nebulizer chamber. If your doctor has instructed you to use less than one complete vial, use a syringe to withdraw the prescribed dose. Any solution left in the plastic vial must be thrown away.

  4. Using a syringe, add sodium chloride solution to the chamber if you have been directed to do so by your pharmacist or physician.

  5. Gently shake the nebulizer chamber and connect it to the mouthpiece or face mask. Then connect the nebulizer tube to the air or oxygen pump and begin therapy.

  6. Breathe calmly and deeply through the mask or mouthpiece until no more mist is formed in the nebulizer chamber. This usually takes 10-15 minutes.

    It is very important to adjust the face mask, if required, to prevent the mist from getting in your eyes.
  7. Follow the instructions provided by the nebulizer and air pump manufacturers for the proper care and maintenance of the equipment. Keep the nebulizer, nebulizer tube and face mask clean to minimize microbial contamination.
Make sure you use the vial soon after opening and use a fresh vial each time to prevent contamination (growth of harmful microorganisms). Partly used, opened or damaged unit dose vials should be discarded.

Do not mix TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® with other drugs in the same nebulizer.

Overdose

In case of an overdose, contact your doctor, or the Regional Poison Control Center, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Missed Dose

If a dose is missed and no symptoms occur, the regular next dose according to the dosing schedule should be taken. If a dose is missed and respiratory symptoms are experienced, the missing dose should be taken and the dosing schedule according to the recommended dosage should be resumed.

Side effects and what to do about them

Side effects may include:

  • wheezing after inhalation;
  • headache, dizziness;
  • nausea (feeling sick), digestive problems like constipation, diarrhoea and vomiting;
  • muscle problems such as cramps weakness, pain, feeling weak, tremor (shaking);
  • feeling nervous;
  • mental disorder;
  • impaired voice sounds;
  • increased sweating;
  • bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infection (a cold)
  • throat irritation, cough, dry mouth or throat, bad taste-sucking on a sour candy or rinsing your mouth may help.
Check with your doctor if the dry mouth or bad taste persist or if you experience constipation for a prolonged period of time.

TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® contains a beta-agonist, and taking additional doses in the form of other single agent, beta-agonists (fenoterol, salbutamol etc.) could cause harmful effects on the heart, lungs and circulatory system. Therefore do not take additional bronchodilators by inhalation with TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® unless instructed to do so by your doctor or pharmacist.

Stop taking the medication and tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
  • you are wheezy or have any other difficulties in breathing;
  • you are having an allergic reaction – the signs may include skin rash, itching and nettle rash. In severe cases the signs include swelling of your tongue, lips and face, sudden difficulties in breathing and reduction of your blood pressure.
TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® can cause abnormal blood test results for hypokalemia and/or ketoacidosis. Your doctor will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.

If you have any questions about TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® or your nebulizer, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects, how often they happen and what to do about them
Symptom / effect Talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist only if severe Talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist in all cases Stop taking drug and seek immediate medical help
Uncommon
Bronchospasm: Increased wheezing or tightness in the chest, difficulty in breathing, coughing bouts    
Shortness of breath    
Hypotension or Hypertension, Changes in blood pressure: dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness    
Skin rash    
Rare
Allergic Reaction: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, choking due to swelling of the muscles around the voice box    
Fast or irregular heart beat / chest pain    
Eye Disorders: new or worsened pressure in your eyes, eye pain or discomfort, blurred vision, seeing halos or rainbows around items or red eyes    
Urinary Retention: difficulty and pain when passing urine, urinating frequently, urination in a weak stream or drips    
Muscle pain, weakness or spasms; paralysis    
Myocardial Ischaemia: decreased blood flow to the heart leading to angina (chest pain), shortness of breath, or a heart attack    
Angina: Chest pain    
Decreased levels of potassium in the blood: irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness and generally feeling unwell    

This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® , contact your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store

Unopened unit dose vials of TEVA-COMBO Sterinebs® should be stored at room temperature (15-25°C). The vials should be protected from heat and light. Do not use if solution is discoloured. Keep out of reach of children.

Partly used, opened or damaged unit dose vials should be discarded.

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following three ways:

  • Report online at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
  • Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
  • Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:
    • Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or
    • Mail to:
      Canada Vigilance Program
      Health Canada
      Postal Locator 0701E
      Ottawa ON K1A 0K9

Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffectTM Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.

NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

More information

This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found by contacting Teva Canada Limited
at: 1-800-268-4127 ext. 1255005 (English)
or 1-877-777-9117 (French)
or druginfo@tevacanada.com

This leaflet was prepared by:
Teva Canada Limited
30 Novopharm Court
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M1B 2K9

Last revised: March 1, 2016

Date modified: