DuoNeb vs Albuterol: Asthma & COPD Drugs Compared

Managing a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) or asthma can be stressful. Fortunately, several medication options can help control symptoms and alleviate symptom flares. Two frequently used medications are DuoNebs and albuterol. But why use DuoNeb instead of albuterol? Read on for everything you need to know about DuoNeb vs albuterol therapy.

What is DuoNeb?

DuoNeb is a combination medication that can be inhaled. It is available in nebulizer form. DuoNeb is a combination of two bronchodilator medications. The first medication is albuterol, which is a short-acting beta-adrenergic agonist. The second medication is ipratropium bromide, which is a longer-acting anti-cholinergic medication. These two bronchodilating medications help open up your airway and keep it open, which can be helpful when you have a diagnosis like chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

What is Albuterol?

Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilating medication. It works by binding to the beta2-adrenergic receptors on smooth muscle cells, which helps relax the airways and make it easier to breathe. Albuterol is often prescribed as a rescue medication in asthma, and it can also be used prophylactically to help keep airways open in people who have been diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. Albuterol can also be a helpful rescue medication to help with COPD flares.

Why take DuoNeb vs Albuterol for treating COPD symptoms?

When considering DuoNeb vs albuterol, it’s important to know that both DuoNeb and albuterol have one ingredient in common: albuterol. Used alone, albuterol can be a helpful, fast-acting rescue medication. This medication can help during times of a COPD exacerbation. However, the combination of both ipratropium bromide and albuterol (which is what is found in a DuoNeb nebulizer treatment) can open up the airway even more significantly. Both medications are bronchodilators that dilate the airways through different mechanisms. The effect of a DuoNeb treatment also lasts longer than the effect of a solo albuterol treatment.

What is the difference between DuoNeb and Albuterol?

Albuterol vs DuoNeb—what is the difference? Both medications can be prescribed to help with symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). However, there are differences between the two medications.

	DuoNeb	Albuterol
Form of delivery	DuoNeb is only available in nebulized form	Albuterol is available in nebulized form, as well as in inhaler and oral forms
Duration of action	A DuoNeb treatment lasts longer than an albuterol treatment	Albuterol therapy does not last as long as a DuoNeb therapy, because ipratropium bromide is a longer-acting medication
Efficacy of bronchodilation	A DuoNeb uses two bronchodilator medications so it more powerfully opens the airway	Albuterol is a bronchodilator that acts fast to open up the airway, but it is not as powerful alone as it is when it is combined with ipratropium bromide (DuoNeb)

Is DuoNeb the same as Albuterol?

No, when considering DuoNeb vs. albuterol, it’s essential to understand that they are not identical therapies. DuoNeb is a combination of albuterol and a second bronchodilator, known as ipratropium bromide.

Is Albuterol as good as DuoNeb?

Albuterol is a bronchodilator that helps open up the airways. When you have a diagnosis of COPD, using a combination of both albuterol and ipratropium bromide (which is the composition of a DuoNeb treatment) can more effectively open up your away because it represents two bronchodilators.

What side effects are common between DuoNeb and Albuterol?

A DuoNeb and albuterol treatment both have albuterol as a component, so side effects of albuterol—such as tremors, nervousness, headache, fast heart rate, and dizziness—can be common to both.

What side effects are not common between Albuterol and DuoNeb?

The primary difference between albuterol and DuoNeb is the presence of the ipratropium bromide component. A DuoNeb treatment may be associated with additional side effects that are unique to the anticholinergic medication category. These include dry mouth, urinary symptoms, changes in vision, muscle cramps, and constipation.

How successful is DuoNeb in treating asthma?

DuoNeb can be a valuable medication for treating asthma in some cases. However, this is not a formal indication of DuoNeb therapy, and it is considered to be an “off-label” treatment for asthma. Instead, DuoNeb is indicated for the treatment of COPD symptoms as a maintenance therapy.

How successful is Albuterol in treating asthma?

Albuterol can be used successfully for treating symptoms of an asthma flare-up or exacerbation. It is a powerful rescue medication because it can quickly open up the airways. However, albuterol should not be used as a maintenance medication for asthma treatment—it is only recommended for as needed use.

Is DuoNeb better than Albuterol for asthma treatment?

DuoNeb is not a first-line medication used for asthma treatment. DuoNeb may sometimes be used to treat asthma symptoms; however, this is in an “off-label” capacity. So, when should you use DuoNeb vs. albuterol, and why use DuoNeb instead of albuterol therapy? If you have a diagnosis of COPD, DuoNeb maintenance therapy may be more beneficial than strict albuterol therapy. The DuoNeb therapy uses two mechanisms to open up the airway, and it lasts longer.

Albuterol vs DuoNeb: Related FAQs

 

Does DuoNeb have albuterol in it?

Yes, DuoNeb therapy has albuterol as a component. It also contains albuterol, a second bronchodilator.

When should you not use DuoNeb?

DuoNebs should not usually be used as an initial rescue therapy. Contraindications to DuoNeb therapy include a history of an allergy to ipratropium bromide, an increased risk of urinary retention (such as from benign prostatic hyperplasia or bladder neck narrowing), glaucoma, and myasthenia gravis.

Why are albuterol and ipratropium used together?

Albuterol and ipratropium are combined to provide a powerful bronchodilating effect via two discrete mechanisms. The two medications are said to be synergistic, meaning that their combined impact is greater than the sum of their individual effects when used at the prescribed dose, rather than used alone.

Do you need to rinse your mouth after DuoNeb?

While DuoNeb therapy does not include steroids, which always necessitate rinsing out your mouth after use, it may still be a good idea. Rinsing your mouth after using a DuoNeb can help prevent irritation or dryness of your mouth and throat.

Does DuoNeb or albuterol work faster?

DuoNeb and albuterol both contain albuterol, which is a rapid-acting medication. As such, they work equally as fast.

Can kids use DuoNeb better than Albuterol?

DuoNebs are not indicated for use in the pediatric population; however, they are sometimes used off-label to help children.

Are there any serious warnings for taking DuoNeb or Albuterol?

Both of these medications carry the risk of paradoxical bronchospasm, a severe side effect in which the airway bronchoconstricts instead of bronchodilating, causing a worsening of symptoms when taking the drug.

DuoNebs vs albuterol: Which one is easier to use?

DuoNeb vs albuterol—which is easier? Both medications are available in nebulizer form. However, albuterol has the additional benefit of being available in both inhaler and oral forms, making it easier to use in certain settings.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544261/

https://reference.medscape.com/drug/proventil-hfa-ventolin-hfa-albuterol-343426

https://reference.medscape.com/drug/atrovent-atrovent-hfa-ipratropium-343416

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/020950s032lbl.pdf