Side Effects of Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide)

Atrovent HFA is a bronchodilator that dilates airways in the lungs. It is used to treat symptoms of asthma, colds, allergies, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Atrovent HFA blocks acetylcholine, a chemical that nerves use to communicate with muscle cells, from affecting airways and nasal passages. It relaxes the muscles surrounding the airways and reduces the secretion of mucus by mucus glands in the nose when inhaled.

Common side effects of Atrovent HFA include:

Serious side effects of Atrovent HFA include:

• bronchospasms that can be life-threatening,
• rash,
• itching, or
• serious allergic reactions involving closure of the airways, and may worsen symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and narrow-angle glaucoma.

Drug interactions of Atrovent HFA include other anticholinergic drugs (such as atropine) because it may increase the occurrence of side effects.

There have been no studies of Atrovent HFA in humans during pregnancy.

It is unknown if Atrovent HFA is secreted in breast milk. Other medications in the same class of drugs are secreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What are the important side effects of Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide)?

The most common side effects associated with ipratropium are:

• dry mouth,
• cough,
• headache,
• nausea,
• dizziness, and
• difficulty breathing.

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide) side effects list for healthcare professionals

• Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis
• Paradoxical bronchospasm
• Ocular effects
• Urinary retention

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in patients.

Clinical Trials Experience

The adverse reaction information concerning Atrovent HFA is derived from studies conducted in COPD patients. The most common adverse reactions include back pain, headache, influenza-like symptoms, dizziness, dyspepsia, dry mouth, nausea, bronchitis, COPD exacerbation, dyspnea, and sinusitis.

Post-Marketing Experience

• In a 5-year placebo-controlled trial, hospitalizations for supraventricular tachycardia and/or atrial fibrillation occurred with an incidence rate of 0.5% in COPD patients receiving Atrovent CFC.
• Additional adverse reactions, including urinary retention, gastrointestinal distress, cough and bronchospasm, hypersensitivity reactions, and vision blurred, have been reported.

What drugs interact with Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide)?

• Atrovent HFA has been used concomitantly with other drugs, including sympathomimetic bronchodilators, methylxanthines, oral and inhaled steroids commonly used in the treatment of COPD.
• Avoid coadministration of Atrovent HFA with other anticholinergic-containing drugs as this may lead to an increase in anticholinergic adverse effects.

Summary

Atrovent HFA is a bronchodilator used to treat symptoms of asthma, colds, allergies, and COPD. Common side effects include dry mouth, cough, headache, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. There have been no studies of Atrovent HFA in humans during pregnancy, and it is unknown if it is secreted in breast milk.