Atrovent
® (
ipratropium bromide) is a prescription medication used to treat a variety of conditions. It comes in the following forms:
All of the Atrovent products are made by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, although brand-name Atrovent inhalation solution is no longer manufactured (it is still available in generic form). There are several manufacturers of generic Atrovent products.
Atrovent belongs to a group of medications known as anticholinergics or antimuscarinics. When used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (
COPD), it works by binding to specific receptors (called muscarinic receptors) in the airway, helping to relax the smooth muscle of the airway. When used to treat a runny nose, it works by decreasing the production of fluid in the glands that line the nasal passages.
When and How to Take Atrovent
Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
- It is usually taken two to four times daily, depending on the particular form of the drug and the particular medical condition being treated.
- You can take it with or without food.
- Try to space out your dosages evenly throughout the day.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The particular Atrovent product
- The medical condition being treated
- Your age
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is the case with any medication, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
(For more information on this topic, see:
As with any medicine, side effects are possible. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of this drug include, but are not limited to:
(For more information, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider, see:
Drug Interactions With Atrovent
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
People who take too much of this medication may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Shakiness or nervousness
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Dry mouth or eyes
- Difficulty urinating.
If you happen to overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
Storage Methods for Atrovent
Store the medication at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep Atrovent and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Atrovent as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Atrovent is available in the following strengths and forms:
- Atrovent HFA inhalers, containing 200 sprays (with 17 mcg of Atrovent per spray)
- Atrovent 0.02% inhalation solution for use in a nebulizer (2.5 mL single-use vials that contain 500 mcg of Atrovent per vial)
- Atrovent nasal spray 0.03%, which contains 345 sprays, with 21 mcg of Atrovent per spray
- Atrovent nasal spray 0.06%, which contains 165 sprays, with 42 mcg of Atrovent per spray.
