Common use

Atrovent is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs. Atrovent is used to to prevent bronchospasm, or narrowing airways in the lungs, in people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Dosage and direction

Use Atrovent exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Do not use more than 12 Atrovent inhalations in a 24-hour period. Before your first use of Atrovent aerosol, prime the inhaler with 2 test sprays into the air, away from your face. Prime again whenever the inhaler has not been used in longer than 3 days. You do not need to shake this medicine before each use. Atrovent is not a rescue medicine for bronchospasm attacks. Use only fast-acting inhalation medicine for an attack.

Precautions

To make sure Atrovent is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: glaucoma; an enlarged prostate; or bladder obstruction or other urination problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Contraindications

You should not use Atrovent if you are allergic to ipratropium or atropine.
Atrovent inhalation solution is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.
Do not get Atrovent in your eyes, especially if you have glaucoma.

Possible side effect

Call your doctor at once if you have: wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medicine; little or no urination; blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights; or worsened breathing problems.
Common Atrovent side effects may include: dry mouth; bitter taste; headache, dizziness, or tiredness; cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; cough with mucus, chest tightness, trouble breathing; nausea, upset stomach, constipation back pain; or fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Drug interaction

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: medicine to treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illness; cold or allergy medicine (Benadryl and others); medicine to treat Parkinson's disease; medicine to treat stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome; medicine to treat overactive bladder; or another bronchodilator medication.

Missed dose

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time. Do not use more than 12 inhalations in a 24-hour period.

Overdose

Overdose is unlikely with Atrovent. If you do overdose, seek emergency medical.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the cover on your inhaler when not in use. Keep away from open flame or high heat. The canister may explode if it gets too hot. Do not puncture or burn an empty inhaler canister.