| Q. Is DuoNeb® the right drug combination for me? |
A. DuoNeb® has helped thousands who suffer from COPD to breathe easier. Many people prefer the convenience and simplicity of a nebulizer compared to MDIs and PDIs. You simply insert the medication into the unit, place your lips over the mouthpiece (or use a mask), and breathe naturally. You can be confident that you are getting the right dose of your medicine. The decision whether or not to take DuoNeb® is up to you and your doctor. |
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| Q. Why should I prefer a nebulizer to an MDI or DPI? |
A. Many people have found that nebulizers are simpler to use and deliver the correct dose of medication. A survey conducted by a COPD patient advocacy group found that:1
- 82% of those who have used a nebulizer report that it controls symptoms for a longer period of time
- 70% believe their nebulizer has saved them a trip to the emergency room
- 80% say that the nebulizer gives them a better quality of life than an MDI alone
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| With an MDI or DPI, you must coordinate your breathing with the mechanics of the inhaler. This can be tricky if you have arthritis or simply breathe in too soon or too late. If you can’t use these inhalers correctly, you may not get the full benefit of the medicine. |
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| Q. What is the advantage of a single vial? |
| A. It’s simple—no measuring, no mixing, no confusion. DuoNeb® contains two of the most commonly prescribed medicines for COPD in a single easy-to-use vial. With DuoNeb®, you can receive the same amount of active medicine with up to 45% less solution. DuoNeb® can reduce the time it takes to nebulize. And finally, the single vial means no mixing in the pharmacy and a lower risk of contamination. |
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| Q. What is the advantage of combining albuterol and ipratropium? |
A. A clinical trial has proven that the 2 medicines together work better than either alone. The total DuoNeb® dose is 3.0 mL. An equivalent dose of the 2 medicines separately is 5.5 mL.*
*DuoNeb® unit dose is 3.0 mL total volume vs 2.5 mL ipratropium unit dose and 3.0 mL albuterol for 5.5 mL total volume. |
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| Q. Will DuoNeb® cure my COPD? |
A. No. There is no cure for COPD at this time. But DuoNeb® can help you get the most out of life with COPD. |
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| Q. Is DuoNeb® covered by Medicare? |
| A. Yes. DuoNeb® is covered by most insurance carriers. As a nebulized medication it is eligible for Medicare reimbursement. Medicare* Part B may reimburse much of the cost of your DuoNeb® prescription if you are over the age of 65.
*Reimbursable under Medicare Part B, Code J7620 (albuterol/ipratropium). |
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| Q. How often do I use DuoNeb®? |
A. DuoNeb® can be used up to 6 times a day. Your doctor will help you set up your DuoNeb® schedule. |
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| Q. How long after using DuoNeb® will I get relief? |
A. DuoNeb® can provide relief in as little as 5 minutes. But the time will vary from patient to patient. |
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DuoNeb® improves bronchodilation 24% more than albuterol alone (p<0.001) |
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| Q. How long does DuoNeb® last? |
| A. One dose of DuoNeb® can provide relief for up to 4 hours. DuoNeb® provides a longer period of improvement in FEV1 over albuterol alone, and improves bronchodilation 37% more than ipratropium alone. |
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-DuoNeb® provides superior duration of improvement in FEV1 over albuterol alone (p<0.001)
-DuoNeb® improves bronchodilation 37% more than ipratropium alone (p<0.001)
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| 1. Patient Assessment of Efficacy of Nebulizer Systems on Their Respiratory Health.Maplewood, NJ: Safian Communications Inc.; 1995. |
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| 4. | | Gross N, Tashkin D, Miller R, Oren J, Coleman W, Linberg S, and the Dey Combination Solution Study Group, Inhalation by nebulization of albuterol-ipratropium combination (Dey combination) is superior to either agent alone in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respiration. 1998;65:354-362. |
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