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Compare Atrovent HFA vs. Flovent

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium) and Flovent (fluticasone) are both prescription medications, but they belong to different drug classes. Atrovent HFA is an inhaled anticholiergic medication used as maintenance treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It works by blocking acetylcholine in the lungs, which allows the muscles in your airway to relax, making it easier to breathe. Flovent is an inhaled corticosteroid used for the maintenance treatment of asthma. Flovent reduces lung inflammation and keeps airways open, but it needs to be used consistently over time and is not for immediate relief of asthma attacks. Atrovent HFA is available only as a brand-name, whereas Flovent is available in both brand and generic forms. Atrovent HFA is typically used four times a day, while Flovent is used twice daily. Common side effects of Atrovent HFA include cough and headache, whereas Flovent can cause throat irritation and upper respiratory infections. Additionally, Flovent requires you to rinse your mouth out after using it to prevent fungal infections.

  • Atrovent hfa (ipratropium)
    Flovent (fluticasone)
  • Atrovent hfa (ipratropium)
    Flovent (fluticasone)

  • Summary of Atrovent HFA vs. Flovent

    Summary for SAMA
    Prescription only

    Atrovent HFA (ipratropium) is a short-acting inhaled anticholinergic medication used to help with difficulty breathing in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This medication comes in an inhaler. Typically, you breathe in 2 inhalations, 4 times a day. You should use Atrovent HFA (ipratropium) regularly every day in order it for it to keep your COPD symptoms under control. It's not meant to be used as a rescue inhaler.

    Summary for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
    Prescription only

    Flovent (fluticasone) is an inhaled corticosteroid medication used in people 4 years and older with asthma. It helps keep lung inflammation low and the airways open. This inhaler is used twice per day. When used every day, Flovent (fluticasone) can lower the number and severity of asthma attacks. It's not a rescue inhaler, so it won't help an asthma attack that has already started.

  • Indications of Atrovent HFA vs. Flovent

    Indications for
    •Maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults
    Indications for
    •Maintenance treatment of asthma

  • Pros and Cons of Atrovent HFA vs. Flovent

    Pros and Const for SAMA
    Pros
    •Works well as a maintenance treatment for COPD
    •Small inhaler, so easy to take with you, compared to the nebulized ipratropium
    •Not many interactions with other medications
    Cons
    •Need to use 2 puffs (inhalations) every 4 hours
    •Not a rescue inhaler
    •It's not completely clear how safe it is for pregnant or breastfeeding females
    Pros and Const for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
    Pros
    •Works well to prevent and lower asthma symptoms
    •Has few side effects since the medication is directly inhaled into the lungs
    •Available as two different types of inhalers (HFA inhaler and Diskus inhaler)
    •Lower-cost generic available for Flovent HFA
    Cons
    •Need to use twice per day
    •Need to rinse your mouth after each use to prevent fungal infection in the mouth (thrush)
    •Can't use to treat active asthma attacks
    •Can't use Flovent Diskus if you're allergic to milk proteins since it contains lactose

  • Common Side Effects of Atrovent HFA vs. Flovent

    Common Side Effects for
    •Cough and other symptoms of bronchitis (10-23%)
    •Worsened COPD symptoms (8-23%)
    •Trouble breathing (7-8%)
    •Tiredness, chills, and other flu-like symptoms (4-8%)
    •Headache (6-7%)
    •Back pain (2-7%)
    Common Side Effects for

    In general, common side effects for Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus are very similar:

    •Throat irritation
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (e.g., common cold)
    •Sinus infection or swelling
    •Headache
    •Cough
    •Voice hoarseness or difficulty speaking

  • Warnings of Atrovent HFA vs. Flovent

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Narrowing of your airways (bronchospasm)
    •Risk of eye and vision problems
    •Trouble urinating
    Common Side Effects for
    •Fungal infection in the mouth
    •Narrowing of your airways (bronchospasm)
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Altered stress hormone levels
    •Delayed growth in children
    •Eye and vision problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Atrovent HFA vs. Flovent

    Learn more about Atrovent hfa
    Learn more about Flovent

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