Atrovent (Ipratropium Bromide) is a prescription medication used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is a lung disease that causes obstructive airflow from the lungs, presenting symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cough, wheezing, and mucus production. The active ingredient in Atrovent is Ipratropium Bromide. Ipratropium Bromide belongs to a class of medications called anticholinergic drugs. It works by opening up the medium and large airways in the lungs by blocking acetylcholine, a chemical that causes your airways to contract.
Manufacturer Information
We currently offer the brand Atrovent Inhaler from Canada and the United Kingdom, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim. The generic Ipratropium Bromide is available from Canada and the United Kingdom by different manufacturers.
Get medical help immediately if you have any of these signs or an allergic reaction while using Atrovent. The most common side effects of Atrovent may include the following:
• Bitter taste;
• Dizziness;
• Dry mouth;
• Fever;
• Nausea
Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the severe side effects, including:
• Blurred vision;
• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat;
• Worsened breathing problems
These are not all of the side effects of Atrovent. Always contact your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.
You should not use Atrovent if you are allergic to Ipratropium Bromide or any ingredient in Atrovent. Before you start using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you:
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed;
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant;
• Have an enlarged prostate;
• Have bladder obstruction;
• Have glaucoma
Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be drug interactions between Atrovent and other medicines, like Benadryl, albuterol, ibuprofen, furosemide, atorvastatin, amlodipine, etc. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is unknown if Atrovent will harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is unknown if Ipratropium Bromide passes into breast milk or if it may harm your nursing infant. Use this medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes. Atrovent comes as an inhaler and nebules. Before the first use, Prime the inhaler with 2 test sprays into the air, away from your face. Prime again if you haven’t used the inhaler for over three days. Do not inhale Atrovent more than 12 times in 24 hours. If you are using this medicine with a nebulizer, space your doses 6 to 8 hours apart. Atrovent is not a rescue medicine for bronchospasm attacks. This drug is only used to prevent attacks. Throw away the inhaler canister when the dose indicator reaches 0, even if it feels like there is still medicine inside. Avoid getting this drug in your eye. It can affect your vision. If the medicine accidentally gets into your eyes, rinse it with water. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how inhaled ipratropium affects you. Store this drug at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.