Albuterol and ipratropium inhalation solution, system, kit and method for relieving symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
The present invention relates to a dual bronchodilator inhalation solution, system, kit and method for relieving bronchospasm in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In one alternative embodiment, the solution of the present invention is a prepackaged, sterile, premixed, premeasured single unit dose of albuterol and ipratropium bromide for patients suffering from COPD. The present solution may be free of antimicrobial preservatives, such as benzalkonium chloride. In another alternative embodiment, the solution of the present invention comprises about 2.50 mg albuterol and about 0.50 mg ipratropium bromide in a 0.5 ml volume.
1. A method of inducing bronchodilation or providing relief of bronchospasm in an individual suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, said method comprising the step of:
(a) providing one or more single dispensing containers; the one or more containers each being prefilled with a content of about 0.1 ml to about 0.5 ml of a premixed, premeasured aqueous inhalation solution comprising a single unit dose of a therapeutically effective amount of albuterol and ipratropium bromide; wherein the amount of albuterol is about 0.6 mg to about 5.0 mg and the amount of ipratropium bromide is about 0.1 mg to about 1.0 mg; and
(b) administering the inhalation solution in one of the containers from a nebulizer chamber such that the mist is removed from the nebulizer chamber in less than 12 minutes.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more containers is prefilled with about 0.5 ml of the inhalation solution.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing dosage, administration, contraindication and adverse reaction data pertaining to the inhalation solution in each of the one or more containers.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mist is removed from the nebulizer chamber in less than 10 minutes.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mist is removed from the nebulizer chamber in less than 8 minutes.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mist is removed from the nebulizer chamber in less than 6 minutes.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mist is removed from the nebulizer chamber in less than 4 minutes.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said amount of albuterol ranges from about 2.0 mg to about 3.0 mg.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the albuterol is albuterol base, and said amount of albuterol base is about 2.5 mg and the amount of ipratropium is about 0.5 mg.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inhalation solution in each of the one or more containers is sterile.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inhalation solution in each of the one or more containers is free of benzalkonium chloride.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a label which indicates that the inhalation solution can be used to relieve bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said label comprises instructions for using the solution to relieve said bronchospasm.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein all of the mist is removed from the nebulizer chamber in less than 12 minutes.