Atrovent(Aerovent/Ipratropium Bromide)

Atrovent(Ipratropium bromide) is a bronchodilator that dilates the bronchi in the lungs. It is used in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cholinergic nerves going to the lungs cause narrowing of the bronchi by stimulating the muscles surrounding the bronchi to contract. An "anti-cholinergic" effect of ipratropium bromide blocks the effect of the cholinergic nerves, causing the muscles to relax and the bronchi to dilate. When inhaled, ipratropium bromide goes directly to the airways, and very little is absorbed into the body.

Synonyms: Apovent, Atronase, Bitrop, Disne-Asmol, Ipatropium Bromide, Ipravent, Ipvent, N-Isopropylatropine, Narilet, Rhinotrop, Rhinovent, Rinatec, Rinoberen, Rinovagos, Vagos

Atrovent Description
Atrovent(Ipratropium bromide) is a bronchodilator that dilates the bronchi in the lungs. It is used in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cholinergic nerves going to the lungs cause narrowing of the bronchi by stimulating the muscles surrounding the bronchi to contract. An "anti-cholinergic" effect of ipratropium bromide blocks the effect of the cholinergic nerves, causing the muscles to relax and the bronchi to dilate. When inhaled, ipratropium bromide goes directly to the airways, and very little is absorbed into the body.

How to use Atrovent
Atrovent(Ipratropium) bromide is used for preventative therapy. Doses vary widely. Two to six inhalations or more may be prescribed two to four times daily. The medication requires continuous use to be effective.

Atrovent Side Effects
The most commonly noted side effects associated with inhaled ipratropium bromide are flu-like symptoms, tremor, sleeplessness, nervousness, constipation, sore throat, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing. These side effects occur in one of every 10 to 20 persons who takes ipratropium bromide.

Atrovent Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: excessive drowsiness, coma, irregular/slowed/skipped heart beats (heart block).

Atrovent Notes
Do not share this medication with others.

Atrovent Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Atrovent Uses
Atrovent (Ipratropium Bromide) is an anticholinergic agent used to prevent the symptoms of emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Atrovent Other Uses
Consult your doctor for other uses of the drug.

Atrovent Storage
Store at should be kept at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F). Excessive humidity should be avoided.

Atrovent Precautions
It is not known if ipratropium bromide is secreted in breast milk. Other medications in the same class of drugs are secreted into breast milk. It is not known whether the small amounts that may appear in the milk are of any consequence to the infant.