Atrovent Ipratropium Bromide 500mcg/1ml Nebules (2 boxes of 30)

Atrovent(R) Adult 500mcg/1mL

Unit Dose Vial (UDV)
Ipratropium bromide

Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

  • 1.What Atrovent Adult is used for
  • 2.Before you use Atrovent Adult
  • a)When not to use Atrovent Adult
  • b)Before you start to use Atrovent Adult
  • c)Pregnancy
  • d)Breastfeeding
  • e)Children
  • 3.Using Atrovent Adult
  • a)How to use Atrovent Adult
  • b)Recommended dose
  • c)If you forget to take a dose
  • d)Overdose
  • 4.While you are using Atrovent Adult
  • a)Things you must do
  • b)Effects on ability to drive or operate machinery
  • 5.Side effects
  • 6.After using Atrovent Adult
  • a)Storage
  • b)Disposal
  • 7.Product description
  • a)What is Atrovent Adult
  • b)Ingredients
  • c)Manufacturer
  • _____________________________

    • Atrovent(R) is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim

    This leaflet answers some common questions about Atrovent Adult.

    It does not contain all available information.

    Nor does it take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

    Keep this information with your Atrovent Adult.

    You may need to read it again later.

    To find out more about Atrovent Adult

    You should ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your medicine or if you have any trouble before, during or after using Atrovent Adult.

    1. What Atrovent Adult is used for

    Atrovent Adult is used to make breathing easier for people with diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive bronchitis. It may also be used in other conditions where breathing is difficult such as may occur after surgery or during assisted ventilation.

    Atrovent Adult improves air flow by relaxing the muscular tubes (air passages) that carry air to and from your lungs. It begins to act quickly after use but may take up to 2 hours to give maximum benefit.

    This medicine is known as an anticholinergic bronchodilator. It is for relief of symptoms and should be part of a management program that is prescribed by your doctor.

    2. Before you use Atrovent Adult

    2a) When you must not use Atrovent Adult

    Only use Atrovent Adult if it has been prescribed for you by a doctor.

    Never give it to someone else even if their symptoms seem to be the same as yours.

    Do not use Atrovent Adult if you are allergic to it or to any of the ingredients.

    These ingredients are ipratropium bromide, sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid and purified water.

    In some cases you should not use Atrovent Adult if you are allergic to certain other medicines.

    You must tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicine, particularly atropine or other anticholinergic medicines.

    If you are not sure if you have these allergies you should raise those concerns with your doctor.

    You should never use Atrovent Adult after the EXPIRY DATE on the vials or carton.

    2b) Before you start to use Atrovent Adult

    It is essential that your doctor knows your medical history before prescribing Atrovent Adult.

    Before using Atrovent Adult, you must tell your doctor if you have, or have had, any of the following conditions:

  • an eye problem called “glaucoma”;
  • problems with passing urine;
  • constipation;
  • cystic fibrosis.

    • If you are not sure if you have, or have had, any of these conditions you should raise those concerns with your doctor.

    Before using Atrovent Adult it is advisable to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, obtained with or without a doctor`s prescription.

    This is advisable even though Atrovent Adult is not known to affect, or be affected by, the activity of other medicines.

    Atrovent Adult may be used with other medicines that relax the air passages for additional symptom relief, when prescribed by a doctor.

    However, you must check with your doctor or pharmacist before mixing other nebuliser solutions with Atrovent Adult.

    This is because some nebuliser solutions may not mix well with Atrovent Adult and may need to be nebulised separately.

    2c) Pregnancy

    Care is recommended during pregnancy, particularly in the first three months.

    Ask for your doctor`s advice if you are pregnant, or likely to become pregnant during your course of medication.

    2d) Breastfeeding

    Care is recommended if you are breastfeeding.

    Ask for your doctor`s advice if you are breastfeeding or likely to breastfeed during the course of your medication.

    2e) Children

    Atrovent Adult is suitable for adult use only, as it contains the usual dose recommended for adults. Other Atrovent products are available for children.

    3. Using Atrovent Adult

    3a) How to use Atrovent Adult

    Instructions on how to use Atrovent Adult Unit Dose Vials are printed at the end of this leaflet.
    You must ensure that a nebuliser mask is properly fitted to your nose and mouth before nebulising and inhaling Atrovent Adult.

    There have been some reports of eye problems as a result of the mist contacting the eyes. Proper fitting of the nebuliser mask to your nose and mouth will prevent the mist from contacting your eyes. Patients with an eye condition called “glaucoma” should be extra careful, as contact of the Atrovent Adult mist with the eyes may worsen this condition.

    3b) Recommended Dose

    The recommended dose for adults is 1 mL (one vial), diluted to 2-3 mL with normal saline and nebulised until the entire volume of solution is inhaled, 4 times daily.

    If your doctor has changed this dose you should ask for further information from your doctor or pharmacist.

    3c) If you forget to take a dose

    It is important to use Atrovent Adult as directed.

    If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you remember when it is almost time for your next dose, take only your usual dose at that time.

    3d) Overdose

    Seek medical advice if you have used more than the recommended or prescribed dose of Atrovent Adult and you experience signs of overdose as listed below.

    Advice can be provided by a doctor, pharmacist or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26).

    Signs of overdose may include fast or irregular heart beat, blurred vision, nausea, stomach pains, constipation and difficulty passing urine.

    4. While you are using Atrovent Adult

    4a) Things you must do

    Contact your doctor immediately if you experience eye pain or discomfort, or any disturbances with your sight (blurred vision, visual halos or coloured images) during or after using Atrovent Adult.

    This is because there have been rare reports of narrow angle glaucoma with the use of Atrovent products.

    Tell your doctor if you need to use Atrovent Adult more frequently than prescribed or if you need to inhale more Atrovent Adult than prescribed to relieve your symptoms.

    In these situations, your dose or treatment may need to be changed.

    Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you begin taking any other medicine while you are using Atrovent Adult.

    4b) Effects on Ability to Drive or Operate Machinery

    When used as recommended, and when there are no side effects, Atrovent Adult is not known to have any effect on the ability to drive or operate machinery.

    5. Side effects

    You should be aware that all prescription medicines carry some risks and that all possible risks may not be known at this stage despite thorough testing. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Atrovent Adult against the expected benefits.

    Ask for the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns about the effects of using this medicine.

    The more frequently reported side effects of Atrovent Adult are headache, dryness of the mouth, throat irritation, cough, vomiting and a change in bowel movements (eg constipation, diarrhoea).

    Less frequently reported side effects of Atrovent Adult include the following:

  • Fast or irregular heart beat.
  • Nausea
  • Urinary retention (difficulty passing urine).
  • Dizziness
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma (a condition affecting the eyes). The following symptoms may be associated with narrow-angle glaucoma: red eyes, eye pain or discomfort, sight disturbances (blurred vision, visual halos or coloured images).
  • Direct contact of the nebulised mist with the eyes may temporarily affect the ability of the eyes to focus. However, in some patients this may cause the more serious eye problem of narrow-angle glaucoma mentioned above, to develop or worsen.
  • Therefore, it is very important to fit the nebuliser mask to your nose and mouth properly to prevent the nebulised mist from contacting your eyes.
  • Worsening of breathing problems (induced by the inhalation procedure).
  • Immediate allergic reactions have been rarely reported with Atrovent Adult use. Allergic reactions may include: skin rash, itching, swelling of face, lips and tongue, swelling of the throat area or difficulty breathing. Life threatening allergic reactions have been reported.

    • Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any side effects during or after using Atrovent Adult, so that these may be properly treated.

    In addition, unexpected effects, not listed above, can occur with any medicine.

    You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything unusual, during or after using Atrovent Adult.

    6. After using Atrovent Adult

    6a) Storage

    Atrovent Adult should be kept in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C.
    Do not store in direct sunlight or heat.

    For example, do not leave it in the car on hot days.

    Keep your Atrovent Adult where young children cannot reach it.

    6b) Disposal

    If you have been told by your doctor that you will not be needing Atrovent Adult anymore, the unused medicine should be returned to your pharmacist so that it can be disposed of safely.

    7. Product Description

    7a) What is Atrovent Adult

    Atrovent Adult is the brand name of your medicine. It comes in Unit Dose Vials which contain 1 mL of solution. Each mL of solution contains 522 micrograms of ipratropium bromide [equivalent to 500 micrograms of ipratropium bromide (anhydrous)]. Atrovent Adult is available in packs of 30 and each pack is labelled with the Australian Registration number AUST R 58203.

    7b) Ingredients

    Each vial of Atrovent Adult contains 522 micrograms of ipratropium bromide [equivalent to 500 micrograms of ipratropium bromide (anhydrous)]. The other ingredients in Atrovent Adult Unit Dose Vials are: sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid, and purified water.

    7c) Manufacturer

    Atrovent Adult is made in the United Kingdom. It is supplied in Australia by:

  • BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM PTY LIMITED
  • (ABN 52 000 452 308)
  • 85 Waterloo Road
  • NORTH RYDE NSW 2113

  • This leaflet was prepared on 25 March, 1996 and revised on 25 January 2006.

  • (C) Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Limited 2006

  • Directions For Use

    Atrovent Adult Unit Dose Vials are intended for inhalation with suitable nebulising equipment and must not be swallowed.
    Diluted solutions should be freshly prepared before use. At the end of inhalation, leftover solution from the nebuliser bowl should be discarded.
    Take the following steps in using Atrovent UDV and if you have any problems, ask your doctor or pharmacist for assistance.

  • 1.Get your nebuliser ready by following the manufacturer`s instructions and the advice of your doctor.
  • 2.Carefully tear a new vial from the strip. Never use one that has been opened already.
  • 3.Open the vial by twisting off the top, always taking care to hold it in an upright position.
  • 4.Squeeze the contents of the vial into the nebuliser bowl. If dilution is necessary this should be carried out using normal saline and as instructed by your doctor.
  • 5.Assemble the nebuliser and take the medicine as directed by your doctor.
  • 6.After nebulisation follow the manufacturer`s instructions about cleaning your nebuliser.
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