Two medicines, side by side
Albuterol/ipratropium vs atropine
Albuterol/ipratropium is labeled for copd; atropine has no indication this site maps. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of albuterol/ipratropium since 1996 and of atropine since 1973. Pharmacies paid $0.0787 per mL (Ipratropium-albuterol 0.5-3(2.5) mg/3 mL) and $7.74 per mL (Atropine 1% eye drops) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Albuterol/ipratropium's other strengths are brand-only: $124.16 per gram (Combivent respimat 20-100 mcg). In FDA's classes, albuterol/ipratropium is a beta2-adrenergic agonist and atropine a cholinergic muscarinic antagonist.
Check it at the source: the albuterol/ipratropium FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 22, 2026); the atropine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 18, 2026).
Highlights of the albuterol and ipratropium record
Albuterol and ipratropium (Combivent) · label of June 22, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsIpratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution is indicated for the treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD in patients requiring more than one bronchodilator.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 24, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 14 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0787 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Highlights of the atropine record
Atropine (Atropen) · label of May 18, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsAtropine Sulfate Injection is indicated for temporary blockade of severe or life‑threatening muscarinic effects, e.g., as an antisialagogue, an antivagal agent, an antidote for organophosphorus or muscarinic mushroom poisoning, and to treat bradyasystolic cardiac arrest. Atropine is a muscarinic antagonist indicated for temporary blockade of severe or life‑threatening muscarinic effects.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 15, 1973
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $7.74 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 15
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Albuterol/ipratropium label of June 22, 2026, Atropine label of May 18, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do albuterol/ipratropium and atropine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, albuterol/ipratropium is a beta2-adrenergic agonist and atropine a cholinergic muscarinic antagonist.
How each works, in its label's words: Albuterol/ipratropium, “Ipratropium bromide is an anticholinergic (parasympatholytic) agent, which blocks the muscarinic receptors of acetylcholine, and, based on animal studies, appears to inhibit vagally mediated reflexes …”; Atropine, “Atropine is an antimuscarinic agent since it antagonizes the muscarine-like actions of acetylcholine and other choline esters.”
Generics: albuterol/ipratropium since 2006; atropine since 1987 (Drugs@FDA).
| Albuterol/ipratropium | Atropine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | COPD | n/a |
| Pharmacologic class | Anticholinergic, beta2-Adrenergic Agonist | Anticholinergic, Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonist |
| How it works (label) | Ipratropium bromide is an anticholinergic (parasympatholytic) agent, which blocks the muscarinic receptors of acetylcholine, and, based on animal studies, appears to inhibit vagally mediated reflexes by antagonizing the action of … | Atropine is an antimuscarinic agent since it antagonizes the muscarine-like actions of acetylcholine and other choline esters. |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life of elimination is about 1.6 hours after intravenous administration. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 24, 1996 | May 15, 1973 |
| First generic approved | December 21, 2006 | January 30, 1987 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 14 labelers | 22 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0787 per mL (Ipratropium-albuterol 0.5-3(2.5) mg/3 mL) | $7.74 per mL (Atropine 1% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -13% | -15% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 15 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 4,316 | 12,238 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Albuterol/ipratropium label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of its components, or to atropine and its derivatives.
Albuterol/ipratropium label, contraindicationsHypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in COMBIVENT RESPIMAT Hypersensitivity to atropine or any of its derivatives Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in COMBIVENT RESPIMAT (4) Hypersensitivity to atropine or any of its derivatives
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to albuterol/ipratropium
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions