How does it work?

Ipratropium bromide is a type of medicine known as an antimuscarinic bronchodilator. It is used to open the airways and assist breathing, in lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. Ipratropium works by blocking receptors, called muscarinic receptors, that are found on the muscle surrounding the airways in the lungs. Stimulation of these receptors by a natural chemical called acetylcholine normally causes the muscle in the airways to contract, and this makes the airways narrow. Depending on how much the receptors are stimulated, this can cause difficulties breathing, as is seen in asthma and bronchitis. As ipratropium blocks the receptors, it stops the action of acetylcholine and allows the airways to open, making it easier to breathe. In conditions where there is narrowing of the airways, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, it is difficult for air to get in and out of the lungs. By opening the airways, ipratropium makes it easier to breathe. Ipratropium is used regularly to keep the airways open in these conditions. It does not work as quickly as the beta-agonist relievers also used to relieve shortness of breath in these conditions, for example salbutamol or terbutaline. Ipratropium is taken using an inhaler device. Inhaling the medicine allows it to act directly in the lungs where it is needed most. It also reduces the potential for side effects in other parts of the body, as the amount absorbed into the blood through the lungs is lower than if it is taken by mouth.

What is it used for?

Asthma

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Warning!

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.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience sudden, rapidly worsening, difficulty in breathing, or if this medicine becomes less effective than normal.

Avoid contact of this medicine with the eyes, especially if you have, or are susceptible to, glaucoma. Seek medical advice if the medicine gets into the eyes.

Follow the printed instructions you have been given with this medicine.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following while using this medicine: eye pain or discomfort, blurred vision, visual haloes or coloroured images in association with red eyes.

Use with caution in

Closed angle glaucoma

Cystic fibrosis

Enlarged prostate gland

Not to be used in

Allergy to ipratropium bromide or related medicines, eg atropine

Allergy to soya lecithin or related food products, eg soya beans or peanuts (applicable to Atrovent metered dose inhaler, Atrovent autohaler and Atrovent Forte only)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

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, particularly in the first trimester. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should be used with caution in nursing mothers, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the nursing infant. Discuss this with your doctor.

Side effects

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

Unexpected narrowing of the airways (paradoxical bronchospasm)

Nausea and vomiting

Cough

Throat irritation

Increased heart rate (tachycardia)

Dry mouth

Constipation

Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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