- Brand Name : Atrovent HFA
- Drug Class : Anticholinergics, Respiratory
- Medical Author : John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
- Medical Reviewer :
- _eael_post_view_count : 10
What Is Ipratropium and How Does It Work?
Ipratropium is used to treat a runny nose caused by the common cold or seasonal allergies. It works by reducing the amount of fluid/mucus released from inside your nose.
Ipratropium does not relieve symptoms of stuffy nose or sneezing.
Ipratropium is available under the following different brand names: Atrovent, and Atrovent HFA.
Dosages of Ipratropium
- 17 mcg/actuation
Nasal spray (adult only)
- 0.03%
Nebulized solution
- 0.02%
Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Maintenance treatment of bronchospasm, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema
- Inhaler: 2 actuations every 6 hours, then additional actuations as needed; not to exceed 12 actuations/day
- Nebulizer: 2.5 mL (500 mcg) every 6-8 hours
Perennial Allergic/Nonallergic Rhinitis
- Symptomatic relief of rhinorrhea
- Adult: Nasal spray: 2 sprays per nostril 8-12 hours
- Children under 6 years (nasal spray): Use not recommended
- Children over 6 years (nasal spray): 2 sprays per nostril 8-12 hours
Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
- Adult: Nasal spray: 2 sprays per nostril every 6 hours
- Children under 5 years (nasal spray): Use not recommended
- Children over 5 years (nasal spray): 2 sprays per nostril every 6 hours
Acute Asthma Exacerbation (Off-label)
- Adult, Inhaler: 8 actuations every 20 minutes as needed for 3 doses
- Adult, Nebulizer: 500 mcg every 20 minutes for 3 doses, then as needed
- NIH asthma guidelines, Pediatric
- Children under 12 years (inhaler): 4-8 actuations every 20 minutes as needed for 3 doses
- Children 12 years and older (inhaler): 8 actuations every 20 minutes as needed for 3 doses
- Children under 12 years (nebulizer): 250-500 mcg every 20 minutes for 3 doses, then as needed
- Children 12 years and older (nebulizer): 500 mcg every 20 minutes for 3 doses, then as needed
Administration
- Prime before initial use by releasing 2 test sprays into air; repeat priming if unused for 3 days or more
Dosing Considerations
- In treatment of acute asthma exacerbation with inhaler, short-acting beta agonist (SABA) must be coadministered
- In treatment of allergic rhinitis, do not use for more than 3 weeks