atrovent

This medication is used to treat a runny nose due to the common cold or seasonal allergies in adults and children 5 years and older. Ipratropium works by reducing the amount of discharge made by the glands in your nose. This medication does not relieve symptoms of stuffy nose or sneezing.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Spray this medication in your nose, usually 2 sprays in each nostril 3 or 4 times a day as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to therapy. Do not use ipratropium more often or for longer than prescribed. Avoid spraying in or near the eyes. If this accidentally occurs, flush your eyes with cool tap water for a few minutes. Contact of ipratropium with the eyes may cause temporary blurred vision and sensitivity to light that may last several hours. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience blurred vision or eye pain. The first time you use this medication, you must prime the bottle to make sure that the proper dose is delivered. Remove the dust cap and safety clip. Hold the bottle upright and point the tip away from your eyes. Place your thumb at the bottom of the bottle and your middle and index finger on either side of the spray tip. Press down firmly and quickly on the sprayer about 7 times until the spray appears. The device will have to be reprimed with 2 pumps if it has not been used for more than a 24 hour period. If the device is not used for more than 7 days, prime it again with 7 pumps. To use this medication, first gently blow your nose to clear the nasal passages. Tilt your head forward, close one nostril by placing a finger against the side, and gently insert the spray tip into the other nostril. Point the tip toward the back and outer side of the nostril. Squeeze the bottle to deliver the spray. Sniff deeply in through the nostril, then breathe out through your mouth. Remove the spray tip from your nose and tilt your head back for a few seconds. Deliver the second spray the same way, then repeat this procedure for the other nostril. Replace the cap and safety clip on the bottle. If the sprayer gets clogged, hold the nasal tip under warm running tap water for one minute. Dry the nasal tip, reprime, and replace the cap and safety clip. Drink a glass of water or juice after using this medication to help relieve irritated throat or bad taste in the mouth. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine, meclizine), anti-spasmodic drugs (e.g., atropine, dicyclomine, hyoscyamine, propantheline), certain drugs used for Parkinson's disease (e.g., benztropine, trihexyphenidyl), pramlintide. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not share this medication with others.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Before taking ipratropium, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to atropine or other belladonna-type drugs; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: glaucoma (narrow angle), enlarged prostate, trouble urinating. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known if the nasal form of ipratropium passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from extreme cold and heat. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

See also How to Use. Bloody nose, dry nose, dry mouth, dry/irritated throat, bad taste in the mouth, dizziness, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: fast heartbeat, vision changes, eye pain, difficulty urinating, severe constipation. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.