Drug Name

Atrovent (Ipratropium)

Drug Uses

Atrovent inhaler is used to treat lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It relaxes the muscles around your airways so that they open up and you breathe more easily.

How Taken

Use Atrovent as directed by your doctor.

You should do some test sprays before using an inhaler for the first time or if it hasn't been used for more than a day.

Inhale this medication by mouth usually 4 times a day, or as directed by your doctor. Close your eyes and place your lips tightly around the mouthpiece to avoid spraying any of this medication into your eyes. This will minimize the risk of temporary blurred vision, other vision changes, and eye irritation.

If two inhalations/puffs are prescribed, wait at least one minute between them. If you are using other inhalers at the same time, wait several minutes between each medication.

Rinse your mouth after using this inhaler to prevent dry mouth and throat irritation.

If you are directed to take this medication regularly, it works best if used consistently at evenly spaced intervals. Remember to use it at the same times each day. Do not increase your dose, use it more frequently, or stop using this medication without first consulting your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Atrovent is a type of bronchodilator. It relaxes the muscles around your airways so that they open up and you breathe more easily.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Atrovent, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store Atrovent between 39 and 86 degrees F (4 and 30 degrees C). Keep Atrovent out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Atrovent if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Atrovent.
• you are allergic to atropine or similar medicines.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Important:

If this medicine does not seem to prevent wheezing or chest tightness as well as usual, or for as long as usual, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. It may be that your lung condition is getting worse and your doctor might need to give you another medicine.

Inhalers may cause an unexpected increase in wheezing (paradoxical bronchospasm) straight after using them. If this happens, stop using the inhaler immediately and consult your doctor. The medicine should be stopped and an alternative treatment found.

You should avoid accidentally getting this medicine into eyes, especially if you have, or are susceptible to, glaucoma. You should take particular care if you are using a nebuliser to avoid the mist getting in your eyes. It is recommended that you use a mouthpiece with a nebuliser, or if this is not available, then a properly fitting nebuliser mask. Seek medical advice if the medicine gets into your eyes.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: red and painful eye, possibly with headache, loss of vision or blurred vision, seeing haloes around lights.

This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Possible Side Effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• headache;
• nausea and vomiting;
• dry mouth;
• cough;
• throat irritation;
• unexpected narrowing of the airways (paradoxical bronchospasm);
• increased heart rate (tachycardia);
• awareness of your heart beat (palpitations);
• constipation;
• blurred vision;
• difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention).

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

Atrovent is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.