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Atrovent HFA Dosage
When treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with Atrovent HFA, dosing guidelines typically call for two inhalations four times a day. Your healthcare provider may recommend additional doses, but you should not take more than 12 inhalations in 24 hours. Your Atrovent HFA dosage should be inhaled into the lungs, not sprayed onto the back of the throat and swallowed.
from eMedTV.comAtrovent HFA Dosage: An Introduction
There is only one standard dose of Atrovent® HFA (ipratropium HFA inhaler), regardless of your age, weight, or other medical conditions. As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.Atrovent HFA Dosage for COPD
The recommended starting dose for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is two inhalations of Atrovent HFA four times a day. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take additional doses as needed. However, you should not take more than 12 inhalations of Atrovent HFA in 24 hours.General Information on Dosing With Atrovent HFA
Considerations for people taking Atrovent HFA include the following:- The medication comes in a metered-dose inhaler (called an "MDI"). It is usually taken four times a day.
- You should prime each inhaler before your first use of it, or if you have not used it for more than three days. To prime the inhaler, spray it into the air twice by pressing on the top of the canister.
- Unlike most other inhalers, Atrovent HFA does not need to be shaken.
- It is important that you learn exactly how to use your inhaler. It may be difficult at first and may require some practice.
- The spray should be inhaled into the lungs, not sprayed onto the back of the throat and swallowed. To accomplish this, you will need to breathe in while spraying the inhaler.
- Most people put the mouthpiece of the inhaler directly into their mouths. However, many healthcare professionals now recommend placing the inhaler an inch or two away from the mouth. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way for you to use the inhaler. If you have difficulty using it, your healthcare provider may recommend a spacer, a device that makes it easier to use the inhaler.
- Each inhaler contains 200 sprays. When the dose counter on the mouthpiece counts down to "0" doses, discard the inhaler, even if it feels like there is a little medication left, as accurate dosing cannot be assured after 200 doses.
- For Atrovent HFA to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Atrovent HFA will not work if you stop taking it.
- If you are unsure about anything related to Atrovent HFA or your Atrovent HFA dosage, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking the drug without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD