Generic Name: Ipratropium (i-pra-TROE-pee-um)
Brand Name: Atrovent
Atrovent Aerosol Suspension is used for:
Treating and preventing bronchospasm (wheezing or difficulty breathing) associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It can be used alone or in combination with other medicines. It may also be used to treat certain conditions as determined by your doctor.
Atrovent Aerosol Suspension is an anticholinergic. It works by relaxing and opening bronchial tubes (air passages in the lungs), making it easier to breathe.
Do NOT use Atrovent Aerosol Suspension if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Atrovent Aerosol Suspension, including soya lecithin or related food products (eg, soybeans, peanuts)
- you are allergic to atropine or similar medicines
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Atrovent Aerosol Suspension:
Some medical conditions may interact with Atrovent Aerosol Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, enlargement of the prostrate, or urinary blockage or retention
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Atrovent Aerosol Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Anticholinergic medicines (eg, benztropine, diphenhydramine) because side effects of these medicines may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Atrovent Aerosol Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Atrovent Aerosol Suspension:
Use Atrovent Aerosol Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Atrovent Aerosol Suspension comes with an additional patient information sheet. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Atrovent Aerosol Suspension refilled.
- Remove the protective cap, hold canister and shake well before each use. If the cap is not present on the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece should be inspected for the presence of foreign objects before use. The canister should be at room temperature before use.
- It is recommended to "test-spray" Atrovent Aerosol Suspension three times before using for the first time, or if the aerosol has not been used for more than 24 hours. Avoid spraying into eyes.
- Exhale deeply through the mouth. Holding the canister, enclose mouthpiece with the lips. Keep the eyes closed because temporary blurring of vision, visual halos or colored images in association with red eyes, precipitation or worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma, pupil dilation, or eye pain/discomfort may result if the aerosol is sprayed into the eyes.
- Inhale slowly through the mouth and at the same time firmly press once on the upended metal canister base as in continue to inhale deeply. Hold your breath for ten seconds and then remove the mouthpiece from the mouth and exhale slowly. Wait approximately fifteen seconds, shake the inhaler again and repeat previous steps.
- Replace protective cap after use. Keep the mouthpiece clean. Wash with hot water. If soap is used, rinse thoroughly with plain water. Dry thoroughly before use. When dry, replace cap on the mouthpiece when not using the drug product.
- Track the number of sprays used and discard after 200 sprays. The amount of medication in each inhalation cannot be assured after 200 sprays.
- If you miss a dose of Atrovent Aerosol Suspension, 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.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Atrovent Aerosol Suspension.
Important safety information:
- It may take up to 1 hour for Atrovent Aerosol Suspension to start working. Do not use it to treat sudden wheezing attacks.
- Atrovent Aerosol Suspension may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Atrovent Aerosol Suspension. Using Atrovent Aerosol Suspension alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase dizziness. To prevent dizziness, sit up or stand slowly. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness.
- Avoid contact with eyes. Flush with water immediately if eye contact occurs. Temporary blurring of vision, worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma, or eye pain may result if the solution comes into direct contact with the eyes. Contact your doctor if you notice these symptoms.
- Atrovent Aerosol Suspension is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 12 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is unknown if Atrovent Aerosol Suspension can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Atrovent Aerosol Suspension during pregnancy. It is unknown if Atrovent Aerosol Suspension is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Atrovent Aerosol Suspension, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Atrovent Aerosol Suspension:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Cough; dizziness; dry mouth; dry nose or nose irritation; flu-like symptoms; headache; nausea; nervousness; pain; runny nose; sinus infection; sore throat; upper respiratory tract infection.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; eye pain; nosebleeds; trouble urinating; visual halos or colored rings.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
See also: Atrovent side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/DNN/), or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Atrovent Aerosol Suspension:
Store Atrovent Aerosol Suspension between 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. Do not puncture, break, or burn the canister, even if it appears to be empty. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Atrovent Aerosol Suspension out of the reach of children and pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Atrovent Aerosol Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Atrovent Aerosol Suspension 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.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Atrovent Aerosol Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Atrovent resources
- Atrovent Side Effects (in more detail)
- Atrovent Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Atrovent Drug Interactions
- Atrovent Support Group
- 3 Reviews for Atrovent - Add your own review/rating
Compare Atrovent with other medications
- Asthma
- COPD, Maintenance
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