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ipratropium
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, COPD
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, COPD
Ipratropium nasal spray is a prescription anticholinergic medication used to treat runny nose caused by allergies or the common cold. It comes in 0.06% and 0.03% strengths and is typically sprayed into each nostril 2 to 4 times a day. It's approved for adults and children ages 5 or 6 years and older, depending on the strength. Common side effects include nosebleeds, nasal dryness, and irritation.
What is Ipratropium nasal spray?
What is Ipratropium nasal spray used for?
Ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray
- Relieves runny nose caused by the common cold or seasonal allergies in adults and children ages 5 and older
Ipratropium 0.03% nasal spray
- Relieves runny nose caused by allergies and year-round nasal symptoms in adults and children ages 6 and older
How Ipratropium nasal spray works
Ipratropium nasal spray is an anticholinergic. It blocks the effects of acetylcholine, a chemical that tells the glands in your nose to make mucus. This helps reduce mucus production and relieve a runny nose.
When does Ipratropium nasal spray start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Atrovent |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Anticholinergic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Ipratropium nasal spray
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Ipratropium 0.03% nasal spray
- Headache (10%)
- Upper respiratory tract infections (10%)
- Nosebleed (9%)
- Sore throat (8%)
- Dry nose (5%)
Ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray
- Nosebleeds (8%)
- Nasal dryness (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
Ipratropium 0.03% nasal spray
- Nasal irritation
- Nasal congestion
- Post-nasal drip
- Nausea
Ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray
- Dry mouth and throat
- Nasal congestion
Ipratropium nasal spray serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reactions: rash or hives, swelling of your face or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
When do Ipratropium nasal spray possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Risk of nosebleeds
Nasal irritation or dryness
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
The following Ipratropium nasal spray side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
For the 0.03% nasal spray
More common
Body aches or pain
chills
difficulty with breathing
ear congestion
headache
loss of voice
unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
Blurred vision
burning, dry, or itching eyes
discharge or excessive tearing
itching, redness, tearing, or other sign of eye irritation not present before use of this medicine or becoming worse during use
nasal dryness
nosebleeds
redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
Incidence not known
Difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
hives or welts
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness of the skin
skin rash
tightness in the chest
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
For the 0.03% nasal spray
Less common or rare
Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
change in taste
dry mouth or throat
increased nasal congestion or runny nose
nasal itching, burning, or irritation
For the 0.06% nasal spray
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Ipratropium nasal spray
Pros
- Starts to work in as quickly as 15 minutes
- Safe for children 5 or 6 years of age and older
- Very little medication is absorbed into your bloodstream
Cons
- Doesn't relieve nasal congestion or sneezing
- Needs to be used several times a day
- Can cause nosebleeds and nasal dryness
Pharmacist tips for Ipratropium nasal spray
General tips
- Ipratropium nasal spray only helps relieve a runny nose. It doesn't treat sneezing or nasal congestion, so ask your healthcare professional if you need another medication for these symptoms.
- Avoid getting ipratropium nasal spray in your eyes. If this happens, rinse your eyes with cool water for several minutes. Contact your care team right away if you develop blurry vision, halos around lights, eye redness, sensitivity to light, or eye pain.
- Ipratropium nasal spray can cause nasal dryness or nosebleeds. If you have a nosebleed, sit upright, lean forward slightly, and pinch the soft part of your nose for 5 to 10 minutes. Tell your care team if you have frequent or severe nosebleeds.
- Ipratropium nasal spray can sometimes cause dizziness, blurry vision, or trouble focusing your eyes. Avoid driving or using machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There isn't enough research to know whether ipratropium nasal spray is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, but only a small amount is absorbed into your body. Talk to your prescriber about the possible risks and benefits for you and your baby.
How to use ipratropium nasal spray
- Make sure to follow the instructions for use. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about using the nasal spray.
- Prime the bottle: Before using a new bottle, press the pump 7 times until a fine mist appears. If you haven't used it for more than 24 hours, prime it again with 2 sprays.
- Take a dose: Gently blow your nose before using the spray. Tilt your head slightly forward, close one nostril, and place the spray tip into the other nostril, pointing toward the back and outer side of your nose. Press the pump while sniffing deeply, then remove the tip and tilt your head back for a few seconds.
- Repeat: Use the spray in your other nostril and repeat for any additional sprays as directed by your prescriber.
- Clean: If the nozzle becomes clogged, rinse it under warm water for about 1 minute and let it dry. Then prime the pump with 2 sprays into the air before using it again.
Risks and warnings for Ipratropium nasal spray
Ipratropium nasal spray can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serious allergic reactions
Ipratropium nasal spray can rarely cause a serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis. Symptoms can include hives, rash, swelling of your face or throat, wheezing, or trouble breathing. Stop using the medication and get emergency medical help right away if you develop these symptoms.
Eye problems
- Risk factors: Getting ipratropium nasal spray into the eyes | Enlarging the opening of the spray bottle
Ipratropium nasal spray can cause eye problems if you accidentally spray it into your eyes. These include blurry vision, eye pain, increased eye pressure, or worsening glaucoma. Avoid spraying the medication in or around your eyes, and don't make the spray bottle opening larger.
Get medical help right away if you develop eye pain, blurry vision, redness, or see halos around lights. Tell your care team if you have severe nasal dryness or frequent nosebleeds.
Worsening of certain medical conditions
- Risk factors: Enlarged prostate | Glaucoma | Trouble urinating | Taking another anticholinergic medication
Anticholinergic medications like ipratropium nasal spray can cause side effects in different parts of your body. If you have certain health conditions, such as glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or trouble urinating, this medication might make them worse. Your risk might also be higher if you take other anticholinergic medications.
Tell your prescriber about all your medical conditions and medications before starting ipratropium nasal spray. Get medical help right away if you develop sudden eye pain, blurry vision, or trouble urinating.
Ipratropium nasal spray dosage
The average cost for 1 nasal spray of 15ml of 0.06% of Ipratropium nasal spray is $25.65 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 68.52% off the average retail price of $81.47.
Interactions between Ipratropium nasal spray and other drugs
Ipratropium nasal spray may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Ipratropium nasal spray. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Clozapine
- Glucagon
- Glycopyrrolate
- Glycopyrronium Tosylate
- Methacholine
- Quetiapine
- Revefenacin
- Scopolamine
- Secretin Human
- Tiotropium
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Betel Nut
How much does Ipratropium nasal spray cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Ipratropium nasal spray contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Ipratropium nasal spray will not be safe for you to take.
- History of allergy to atropine and similar medications
What are alternatives to Ipratropium nasal spray?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Ipratropium nasal spray. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Ipratropium nasal spray
Used for:
Ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray
Ipratropium 0.03% nasal spray
$15.84View prices
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Ipratropium nasal spray images
