What is the most important information I should know about ipratropium inhalation?
Do not get this medicine in your eyes, especially if you have glaucoma.
Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your medications are not working as well.
What is ipratropium inhalation?
Ipratropium is a bronchodilator that is used to to prevent bronchospasm in people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), including bronchitis and emphysema.
Ipratropium inhalation may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using ipratropium inhalation?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to ipratropium or atropine.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- glaucoma;
- an enlarged prostate; or
- bladder obstruction or other urination problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ipratropium inhalation should not be used by anyone younger than 12 years old. Atrovent HFA is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I use ipratropium inhalation?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Do not use more than 12 Atrovent HFA inhalations in a 24-hour period.
If you are using this medicine with a nebulizer, space your doses 6 to 8 hours apart.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Before your first use of Atrovent HFA, prime the inhaler with 2 test sprays into the air, away from your face. Prime again whenever the inhaler has not been used in longer than 3 days. You do not need to shake this medicine before each use.
Ipratropium is not a rescue medicine for bronchospasm attacks. Use only fast-acting inhalation medicine for an attack. Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your medications are not working as well.
Store at room temperature. Keep the cover on your inhaler when not in use. Keep away from open flame or high heat. The canister may explode if it gets too hot. Do not puncture or burn an empty inhaler canister.
Throw away the inhaler canister when the dose indicator reaches 0, even if it feels like there is still medicine inside.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
Do not use more than 12 inhalations in a 24-hour period.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using ipratropium inhalation?
Do not get this medicine in your eyes, especially if you have glaucoma. Ipratropium inhalation accidentally sprayed into the eyes can cause blurred vision or eye irritation, and may make glaucoma worse.
This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.
What are the possible side effects of ipratropium inhalation?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
You may need to use a different bronchodilator medication if you have an allergic reaction to ipratropium inhalation.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medicine;
- little or no urination;
- blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights; or
- worsened breathing problems.
Common side effects may include:
- trouble breathing;
- cough;
- headache;
- dry mouth; or
- bitter taste after using the medicine.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect ipratropium inhalation?
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
- medicine to treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illness;
- cold or allergy medicine (Benadryl and others);
- medicine to treat Parkinson's disease;
- medicine to treat stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome;
- medicine to treat overactive bladder; or
- another bronchodilator medication.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect ipratropium, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about ipratropium inhalation.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2020 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 11.01. Revision date: 6/6/2019.
