Ipravent

The recommended adult dose of ipratropium inhalation solution is 250 µg to 500 µg. For children (5 to 12 years of age), the recommended dose is 125 µg to 250 µg. The dose may be repeated every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

For regular treatment of breathing difficulties caused by chronic bronchitis or emphysema, the recommended adult dose is 500 µg 3 to 4 times a day. If less than 2 mL of solution is to be nebulized, a sterile, preservative-free saline or another suitable nebulizer solution should be used to make up the total volume to between 2 mL and 5 mL.

Your doctor or pharmacist should tell you how to use Ipravent properly. Also, follow the instructions found with the medication and with your nebulizer for proper treatment, care, maintenance, and equipment cleaning procedures. It is very important to adjust the face mask, if required, to prevent the mist from getting into your eyes.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that Ipravent be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Ipravent at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Each 20 mL bottle contains ipratropium bromide 250 µg/mL (0.025%) in normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride solution), benzalkonium chloride, and EDTA-disodium as preservatives, and hydrochloric acid.

Ipratropium inhalation solution should not be used by anyone with an allergy or sensitivity to ipratropium, to atropine-like medications in general, or to any of the ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between ipratropium inhalation solution and any of the following:

• anticholinergic medications (e.g., tiotropium, Benztropine, Diphenhydramine)
• beta-adrenergic medications (e.g., salbutamol, salmeterol)
• potassium chloride tablets

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Ipravent.

Allergy: In rare cases, immediate allergic reactions may occur after using ipratropium inhalation solution, causing hives, swelling around the throat and tongue, rash, and worsening of breathing problems. If this occurs, get emergency medical help at once.

Asthma attack: Do not use ipratropium alone for the relief of an asthma attack since Ipravent works slower than other types of medications used for asthma attacks. If it is used for an asthma attack, it should be used together with other medications (e.g., salbutamol) that help open up the airways quickly.

Cystic Fibrosis: If you have cystic fibrosis, you may be more likely to experience certain side effects such as constipation. Talk to your doctor about how Ipravent may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ipravent, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Eye concerns: Make sure the nebulizer mask fits the user's face properly and that nebulized solution does not escape into the eyes. There have been rare reports of eye complications (e.g., tearing, increased eye pressure, Glaucoma, and eye pain) when Ipravent has been released into the eyes.

If you have glaucoma, talk to your doctor about how Ipravent may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ipravent, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Mixing with other medications: Do not mix ipratropium solution with preservatives (i.e., from the 20 mL multidose bottle) and sodium cromoglycate, as this produces a cloudy solution caused by an interaction between the preservatives and the sodium cromoglycate. If sodium cromoglycate needs to be used, use ipratropium solution without preservatives (the unit dose vials).

Preservatives: Ipratropium solution in the 20 mL multidose bottle contains preservatives (benzalkonium chloride, disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) disodium). It has been reported that these preservatives may cause a worsening of breathing in some patients with very sensitive airways.

The unit dose vials do not contain preservatives.

Urination problems: If you have a medical condition (e.g., prostate problems, urinary retention, or obstruction) that affects your ability to urinate, discuss with your doctor how Ipravent may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ipravent, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: The safety of using ipratropium during pregnancy has not been established. Ipravent should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Ipravent, contact your doctor.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Ipravent passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using ipratropium inhalation solution, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The efficacy and safety of Ipravent have not been established for children under 5 years of age.

<p>Ipratropium belongs to the group of medications called <i>bronchodilators</i>. It is used to <b>treat COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) (COPD), including chronic Bronchitis and emphysema.</b></p><p> It is also used along with other medications to <b>treat Asthma attacks.</b></p><p> Ipratropium works by opening the air passages, making breathing easier. This solution is given with the help of compressed air or nebulizers.</p><p> <b>Ipravent (<a href="/drug/pms-ipratropium">Ipravent</a>) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms.</b> Any specific brand name of Ipravent may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Ipravent may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.</p><p> <b>Your doctor may have suggested Ipravent for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles.</b> If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given Ipravent, speak to your doctor. <b>Do not stop using Ipravent without consulting your doctor.</b></p><p><b>Do not give Ipravent to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do.</b> It can be harmful for people to use Ipravent if their doctor has not prescribed it.</p>