What is ipratropium inhalation?
Ipratropium inhalation is used to prevent bronchospasm, or narrowing airways in the
lungs, in people with bronchitis, emphysema, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Ipratropium inhalation may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ipratropium inhalation?
Ipratropium inhalation is used to prevent bronchospasm attacks. This medication will not
treat bronchospasm while it is happening. You may still have difficulty breathing and may need
to use one of your other medicines to treat the attack. To best control your condition, use
ipratropium inhalation regularly, and continue using all your other medicines as directed by your
doctor.
Before using ipratropium inhalation, tell your doctor if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use this medication.
FDA pregnancy category B: This medication is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby. Do not use ipratropium inhalation without telling your doctor if you are pregnant
or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known if ipratropium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use ipratropium inhalation without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
Ipratropium inhalation should not be used by a child younger than 12 years of age.
How should I take ipratropium inhalation?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or
for longer than recommended by your doctor.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
When using the inhaler device for the first time, prime it by spraying 2 test sprays into the
air, away from your face. Also prime the inhaler if you have not used it for 3 days or longer.
The instructions below are for standard use of the inhaler and nebulizer devices.
Your doctor may want you to use your device differently. Be sure you understand all instructions
that are specific to your use of ipratropium inhalation.
To use the inhaler:
-
Uncap the mouthpiece of the inhaler. Breathe out fully. Put the
mouthpiece into your mouth and close your lips. Keep your eyes closed to prevent spraying any
medicine into your eyes. Breathe in slowly while pushing down on the canister. Hold your
breath for 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly.
-
If you use more than one inhalation at a time, wait at least
15 seconds before using the second inhalation.
-
Keep your inhaler clean and dry, and store it with the cap
on the mouthpiece. Clean your inhaler once a week by removing the canister and placing the
mouthpiece under warm running water for at least 30 seconds. Allow the parts to dry before
putting the inhaler back together.
To use the solution with a nebulizer:
-
Measure the correct amount of medicine using the dropper
provided, or use the proper number of ampules. Place the liquid into the medication chamber of
the nebulizer. If using a medicine dropper, do not allow the dropper to touch any surface
including your hands or the nebulizer.
-
Attach the mouthpiece or face mask to the drug chamber.
Then, attach the drug chamber to the compressor. Sit upright in a comfortable position. Place
the mouthpiece into your mouth or put the face mask on, covering your nose and mouth. Breathe
in slowly and evenly until you have inhaled all of the medicine (usually 5 to 15 minutes). The
treatment is complete when no more mist is formed by the nebulizer and the drug chamber is
empty.
-
Clean the nebulizer after each use. Follow the cleaning
directions that came with your nebulizer.
Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not
working as well as usual, or if it makes your condition worse. If it seems like you need to use
more of any of your medications in a 24-hour period, talk with your doctor.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your lung function will need to be
tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store ipratropium inhalation at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Extreme heat can cause the canister to burst. Do not store it in your car on hot days. Do not
throw an empty canister into open flame.
Keep track of the number of sprays you have used and throw away the inhaler canister
after 200 sprays, even if it feels like there is still medicine in it.
What happens if I miss a dose of ipratropium inhalation?
Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip
the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not
use
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about ipratropium inhalation?
Your pharmacist has information about ipratropium inhalation written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ipratropium inhalation?
Stop using ipratropium inhalation and get emergency medical help if you have any of
these
signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of
your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a fast, pounding heartbeat.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
-
headache, dizziness;
-
dry mouth, cough, hoarseness;
-
nausea, upset stomach; or
-
blurred vision.
If you switch from Atrovent to Atrovent HFA, you may notice a
slightly different taste or feel after inhaling the medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any
unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ipratropium inhalation?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, or an
enlarged prostate or bladder obstruction. If you have any of these conditions, you may need a
dose adjustment or special tests to safely use ipratropium inhalation.
Ipratropium inhalation is used to prevent bronchospasm attacks. This medication will not
treat bronchospasm while it is happening. You may still have difficulty breathing and may need
to use one of your other medicines to treat the attack. To best control your condition, use
ipratropium inhalation regularly, and continue using all your other medicines as directed by your
doctor.
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or
for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual,
or if it makes your condition worse. If it seems like you need to use more of any of your
medications in a 24-hour period, talk with your doctor.
Extreme heat can cause the ipratropium inhalation canister to burst. Do not store
your inhaler in your car on hot days. Do not throw an empty canister into open flame.
Keep track of the number of sprays you have used and throw away the inhaler canister
after 200 sprays, even if it feels like there is still medicine in it.
What should I avoid while taking ipratropium inhalation?
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this happens, rinse with water.
What other drugs will affect ipratropium inhalation?
Before using ipratropium inhalation, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following
medicines:
-
atropine (Donnatal, and others),
-
belladonna,
-
clidinium (Quarzan),
-
dicyclomine (Bentyl),
-
glycopyrrolate (Robinul),
-
hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others)
-
mepenzolate (Cantil),
-
methantheline (Provocholine),
-
methscopolamine (Pamine), and
-
propantheline (Pro-Banthine), or
-
scopolamine (Transderm-Scop).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs not listed that
can affect ipratropium inhalation. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of ipratropium inhalation?
