Atrovent (Ipratropium)

Atrovent inhaler is used to treat lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It relaxes the muscles around your airways so that they open up and you breathe more easily.

Atrovent is a type of bronchodilator. It relaxes the muscles around your airways so that they open up and you breathe more easily.

Do not use Atrovent if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Atrovent.
• you are allergic to atropine or similar medicines

• If this medicine does not seem to prevent wheezing or chest tightness as well as usual, or for as long as usual, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. It may be that your lung condition is getting worse and your doctor might need to give you another medicine.
• Inhalers may cause an unexpected increase in wheezing (paradoxical bronchospasm) straight after using them. If this happens, stop using the inhaler immediately and consult your doctor. The medicine should be stopped and an alternative treatment found.
• You should avoid accidentally getting this medicine into eyes, especially if you have, or are susceptible to, glaucoma. You should take particular care if you are using a nebuliser to avoid the mist getting in your eyes. It is recommended that you use a mouthpiece with a nebuliser, or if this is not available, then a properly fitting nebuliser mask. Seek medical advice if the medicine gets into your eyes.
• Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: red and painful eye, possibly with headache, loss of vision or blurred vision, seeing haloes around lights.
• This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• headache;
• nausea and vomiting;
• dry mouth;
• cough;
• throat irritation;
• unexpected narrowing of the airways (paradoxical bronchospasm);
• increased heart rate (tachycardia);
• awareness of your heart beat (palpitations);
• constipation;
• blurred vision;
• difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention).

Atrovent is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.