TOBI® (tobramycin) and Ventolin® (salbutamol)

Question

Hello,

I have several questions:

1.) When inhaling with tobramycin I notice a strong mucolytic effect. After the inhalation I have a lot of sputum. Much more than after inhaling 6% NaCl or Pulmozyme® (dornase alfa). Is it a side effect of tobramycin that the production of sputum is increased. Is this normal and do you have the same experience?

2.) I am 29 years old. I took salbutamol for a very long time since I was a child. In the last two years I was disadvised to inhale salbutamol because it is bad for my heart. Is salbutamol harmful for the heart if it is taken for a long time?
Since a couple of days I am supposed to inhale
Onbrez Breezhaler® 150 (indacaterolmaleat) and take at the same time SPIRIVA® (tiotropium) Respimat®. Am I supposed to inhale both at the same time or isn’t this the same drug just from two different pharmaceutical companies? If it is useful and safe, am I supposed to take both in the morning or one in the morning and one in the evening?

Many thanks, Ingrid

Answer

Hello Ingrid,

Tobramycin is an antibiotic. It cannot be excluded that the liquid in which the agent (tobramyin) is dissolved has a mucolytical effect.
SPIRIVA® (tiotropium) Respimat® and Onbrez Breezhaler® 150 (indacaterolmaleat) both have an anti-obstructive and anti-convulsant effect on the airways. However, the effect is achieved by different mechanisms so that you can take both drugs at the same time if you tolerate both of them. Nevertheless, I absolutely recommend you to discuss these questions with your doctor in charge.

Best regards,
Christian von Mallinckrodt

31.03.2011