Comparison of nebulised salbutamol and ipratropium bromide with salbutamol alone in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients admitted with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often prescribed ipratropium bromide in combination with a beta 2 agonist such as salbutamol. Studies have not shown any benefit in adding ipratropium bromide to salbutamol in acute exacerbations of COPD, but these studies have only assessed patients for 60-90 minutes and short term studies may not predict long term clinical response. …