Ipratropium (Nasal)

Brand name(s): Atrovent

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ipratropium nasal spray, the following should be considered:

Allergies-Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ipratropium, atropine, belladonna, hyoscyamine, or scopolamine, or to other nasal medicines.

Pregnancy-Ipratropium has not been studied in pregnant women. However, it has not been shown to cause birth defects in animal studies.

Breast-feeding-It is not known whether ipratropium nasal spray passes into the breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children-Although there is no specific information comparing the use of ipratropium nasal spray in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults-Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing the use of ipratropium nasal spray in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines-Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ipratropium nasal spray. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problem, especially:

• Bladder neck obstruction or
• Enlarged prostate-Ipratropium nasal may make the condition worse

• Glaucoma, angle-closure-If ipratropium nasal is sprayed into the eyes, it may make the condition worse

Last Revised: 06/11/1999