What is Ipratropium inhalation?
Ipratropium prevents bronchospasms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including bronchitis and emphysema. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of ipratropium.
Side effects of Ipratropium inhalation
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, hives, lips, face, tongue or throat swelling and difficulty swallowing; seek immediate medical assistance: difficulty in breathing; swelling lips face tongue throat
If you are allergic to ipratropium, then it is best to switch to another bronchodilator.
Inhaling ipratropium can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Choking or other breathing problems following the use of ipratropium;
- Little or no urination
- Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around light;
- Symptoms of worsening breathing problems
Side effects common to ipratropium use include:
- A sore throat, symptoms of a cold include a stuffy nose and sneezing.
- Cough with chest tightness and difficulty breathing,
- Tiredness or headache
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
This medicine should not be put in your eye, especially if glaucoma is present. If your breathing problems worsen quickly or you feel that your medication is not working, seek medical attention.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to atropine or ipratropium, then do not use ipratropium inhalation.
Inform your physician of any of the following issues:
- Glaucoma;
- An enlarged prostate
- Other urination issues or bladder obstruction.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.
Anyone younger than 18 is not allowed to use ipratropium aerosol. Anyone younger than 12 is not allowed to use the ipratropium solution.
How to take Ipratropium inhalation?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label.Use no more than 12 inhalations within a 24-hour period. If you use this medicine in a nebulizer, space your doses between 6 and 8 hours. Please read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medication. If you don't understand what your doctor or pharmacist is instructing, seek assistance immediately.
Prime the inhaler before your first use by spraying two test sprays in the air away from your face. Prime the inhaler again if you have not used it for more than three days. This medicine does not require shaking before use.
Ipratropium should not be used to treat bronchospasm. Only use fast-acting inhalation medicines for an attack. If your breathing problems worsen quickly or you feel that your medication is not working, seek medical attention.
Save your products away from moisture, heat and light at room temperature for optimal storage conditions. When not in use, keep the inhaler covered. Avoid open flames or heat. If the canister gets too warm, it may explode. You should not burn or puncture an empty inhaler. Even if you feel like the medicine is still inside, throw away the canister once the dose indicator has reached zero. Keep unused vials stored in the foil pouch.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—Maintenance:
Inhalation aerosol: two inhalations (34 mcg) four times per day or as required, up to twelve inhalations within 24 hours
Nebulizer inhalation solutions: 500 mcg, three or four doses a day via oral nebulization with intervals of 6 to 8 hours.
Use:
Maintenance treatment for bronchospasm in chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), which includes chronic respiratory bronchitis and emphysema
Usual paediatric dose for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- Maintenance:
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
If you are under 12 years old, safety has not been proven.
Twelve years and older: 500 mg, three or four times per day by oral nebulization. Doses should be spaced six to eight hours apart.
Use:
Maintenance treatment for bronchospasm in chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once. Use no more than 12 inhalations within a 24-hour period.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Ipratropium should not be sprayed into your eyes. This is especially true if you suffer from glaucoma. Inhaling ipratropium accidentally into the eye can cause blurred or itchy vision, which may worsen glaucoma.
This medication may cause blurred or impaired vision and affect your reaction. Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine will affect you.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor all of your other medications, including:
- Medicine to treat depression or anxiety;
- Cold or allergy medication (Benadryl et al.)
- Medicine to treat Parkinson’s disease
- Medicine to treat stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome
- Medicine to treat overactive urinary bladder
- Another bronchodilator drug
This list is incomplete. Ipratropium may be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
