Atrovent Nasal Spray: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Atrovent Nasal Spray contains ipratropium bromide, a topical anticholinergic medicine used to reduce a runny nose. It is available as a 0.03% spray for allergic and nonallergic perennial rhinitis and a 0.06% spray for runny nose caused by the common cold. It works locally in the nose and does not treat stuffy nose, sneezing, or postnasal drip. It is usually used for a short period, such as several days for a cold or a few weeks for allergy symptoms.

What is Atrovent Nasal Spray

Atrovent Nasal Spray is a prescription nasal spray that contains ipratropium bromide, a medicine related to atropine. It is used to reduce a runny nose but does not treat stuffy nose, sneezing, or postnasal drip.

Atrovent Nasal Spray uses

• Relief of runny nose (rhinorrhea) caused by allergic and nonallergic perennial rhinitis in adults and children age 6 years and older (0.03% strength)
• Relief of runny nose caused by the common cold, usually for up to 4 days (0.06% strength)
• Relieves runny nose
• Treats rhinorrhea associated with perennial rhinitis
• Treats runny nose associated with the common cold

Benefits of Atrovent Nasal Spray

• Reduces the amount and duration of watery nasal discharge
• Can start working within the first full day of use, though full benefit may take up to two weeks
• Directly reduces excessive nasal secretions
• Acts locally inside the nose
• Has relatively little systemic absorption

How Atrovent Nasal Spray works

The medicine blocks certain nerve signals in the nose, which reduces fluid production from the glands lining the inside of the nose and lessens a runny nose.

Atrovent Nasal Spray dosage

Blow your nose gently to clear your nostrils before using the spray, if needed. Keep the bottle upright and close one nostril while spraying into the other. After each spray, sniff deeply and then breathe out through your mouth. Tilt your head back for a few seconds after spraying to let the medicine spread over the back of the nose.

The pump must be primed before first use, and may need repriming if not used for 24 hours or more than seven days. Do not change the size of the nasal spray opening, and avoid spraying into or around the eyes. Do not take extra doses or stop using the spray without checking with your doctor.

This medicine is usually used only for a short time, such as several days for a cold or a few weeks for allergy symptoms, depending on what it's prescribed for.

Available forms and strengths

Nasal spray (metered-dose pump), 0.03% and 0.06% strengths.

Side effects of Atrovent Nasal Spray

Common

• Headache
• Dry nose, mouth, or throat
• Minor nosebleed (epistaxis)
• Sore throat (pharyngitis)
• Blurred vision
• Unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Nasal irritation or dryness
• Nausea

Serious

• Allergic reaction: hives, rash, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Eye problems: blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights
• Severe nosebleeds or severe dry nose
• Painful or difficult urination
• Fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Swelling of the throat or spasm of the voice box muscles causing choking

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine should not be used by people allergic to ipratropium, atropine, or related ingredients.
• Sudden allergic reactions can occur, including hives, swelling, rash, and severe breathing problems such as bronchospasm.
• Use this medicine carefully if you have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or trouble passing urine, as it can make these conditions worse.
• Do not let the spray get into your eyes. If it does, it can cause eye pain, blurred vision, or a serious eye condition called narrow-angle glaucoma.
• This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age for the 0.03% product per the Canadian monograph, though other labeling allows use in children 6 and older — follow your doctor's specific instructions for your product and age group.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been fully established, and it should only be used if your doctor decides it's clearly needed.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. A small amount of the medicine may pass into breast milk, so your doctor will weigh the benefits against possible risks to your baby.
• This medicine has not been specifically studied in people with kidney disease, so it should be used carefully if you have kidney problems.
• This medicine has not been specifically studied in people with liver disease, so it should be used carefully if you have liver problems.
• No major direct interaction with alcohol is established.
• This medicine can cause dizziness, blurred vision, and trouble focusing your eyes. Be careful driving or using machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store tightly closed between 59°F (15°C) and 86°F (30°C).
• Avoid freezing.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Do not spray in the eyes.
• Keep the cap tightly closed when not in use.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, rash, wheezing, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or see halos around lights.
• Call your doctor right away if you have nosebleeds or a very dry nose, or if you have pain or difficulty urinating.
• If you accidentally spray this medicine into your eyes, flush your eyes right away with cool tap water for several minutes, and contact your doctor if you have eye pain or blurred vision.
• If you think you or someone else may have taken too much of this medicine, get medical help immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Alternatives

• Azelastine nasal spray
• Olopatadine nasal spray
• Fluticasone nasal spray
• Mometasone nasal spray