Key takeaways
Ipratropium (Atrovent) and tiotropium (Spiriva) are both inhaled medications used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They belong to the anticholinergic class of medications, but they differ in their specific subtypes and uses. Ipratropium is a short-acting muscarinic antagonist (SAMA), while tiotropium is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). Ipratropium is typically used 3 to 4 times a day through a nebulizer, whereas tiotropium is used once daily with either the Spiriva HandiHaler or Spiriva Respimat inhalers. Tiotropium is also approved for treating asthma in people aged 6 years and older, but only with the Spiriva Respimat inhaler. Ipratropium is available as a generic, while only the Spiriva HandiHaler has a generic version. Common side effects of ipratropium include headache and cough, while tiotropium may cause dry mouth and upper respiratory tract infections. Both medications can cause serious allergic reactions and should not be used as rescue inhalers.
