What is Atrovent Inhaler?
Atrovent Inhaler is a prescription medication manufactured by a one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies; Boehringer Ingelheim. The Atrovent Inhaler has been used by patients since 1986 as an effective bronchodilator medication. Each inhaler contains 20mcg (which is measured as 18mcg internationally) of the active ingredient, ipratropium.
What is Ipratropium?
Ipratropium, which is technically called ipratropium bromide, is a short-acting muscarinic antagonist (a type of anticholinergic) bronchodilator which is used in the Atrovent Inhaler for its therapeutic effects. Ipratropium is administered by inhalation, metabolized by the liver, and is excreted mainly through the urine with a half life of about 1.6 hours. This medication requires a valid prescription to be purchased.
What is Ipratropium used for?
Ipratropium is used for certain inflammatory lung diseases; these are conditions that affect the respiratory system. More specifically, ipratropium is used for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases which impede airflow to the lungs; this includes conditions like bronchitis and emphysema.
What does Ipratropium do?
Using ipratropium Inhaler can prevent bronchospasms and the consequential symptoms. A bronchial spasm is a sudden constriction of muscles located in the walls of the bronchioles; this causes the airways to become narrow and limits the air flow to the lungs. When this occurs, it causes pain, tightness, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and coughing. These are all symptoms which can be prevented – or, at the very least, decrease the risk – by using ipratropium.
How does Ipratropium work?
Ipratropium is able to prevent bronchial spasms in those with inflammatory lung diseases by relaxing the muscles that surround the airways; this allows them to open up wider, allowing more air to flow through to the lungs, and preventing bronchial spasms and any consequential symptoms.
How to use Atrovent inhaler?
You must prime the inhaler before you use it for the first time or if you have not used it in a while. To prime the device, spray the medicine two times into the air and away from your face. Once you have primed the device, shake the inhaler three or four times. When you inhale the medicine from the inhaler, your doctor may direct you to do the open-mouth method or the closed-mouth method; it is important to fully understand and follow all directions on how your doctor would like you to use this medication before starting treatment.
What is Ipratropium bromide and Albuterol Sulfate?
Sometimes a single active ingredient inhaler – such as the Atrovent inhaler - is not sufficient enough on its own to prevent bronchospasms. When this is the case, your doctor may prescribe you a combination inhaler; an inhaler containing two different antihypertensive drugs to help treat the condition using two methods of action, to help increase efficacy. This specific combination (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) is an inhaler containing an anticholinergic bronchodilator and an adrenergic bronchodilator and is sold as the brand name medication, DuoNeb. We carry this combination inhaler, as well as the Atrovent inhaler, at My Drug Center for an affordable cost.