1. Why am I using Atrovent Inhalation Solution?

Atrovent Inhalation Solution contains the active ingredient ipratropium bromide monohydrate. Atrovent Inhalation Solution is used to treat asthma, chronic obstructive bronchitis and people who have difficulty breathing during or after surgery using assisted ventilation. For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using Atrovent Inhalation Solution? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I use Atrovent Inhalation Solution?

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ipratropium bromide monohydrate, atropine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI. Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use Atrovent Inhalation Solution? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with Atrovent Inhalation Solution and affect how it works. A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I use Atrovent Inhalation Solution?

• Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
• Atrovent Inhalation Solution is 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. Atrovent Inhalation Solution should not be used if the bottle has been opened for more than 28 days.

More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use Atrovent Inhalation Solution? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while using Atrovent Inhalation Solution?

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using Atrovent Inhaler Solution? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

Common but usually mild potential side effects include headache, dizziness, throat irritation, cough, sore or dry mouth, nausea, vomiting and digestion-related issues (e.g. constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, reflux and wind). Serious potential side effects that require urgent medical attention include allergic reaction, difficulty in breathing, heartbeat changes, eye irritation or vision changes and difficulty in passing urine.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.

Atrovent®

Inhalation Solution

Active ingredient: ipratropium bromide monohydrate

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using Atrovent Inhalation Solution. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using Atrovent Inhalation Solution.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using Atrovent Inhalation Solution?

Atrovent Inhalation Solution contains the active ingredient ipratropium bromide monohydrate. It belongs to a group of medicines called anticholinergic bronchodilators.

Atrovent Inhalation Solution opens up the air passages in people suffering from asthma, chronic bronchitis and difficulty breathing during or after surgery.

It begins to act quickly after use but may take up to 2 hours to give maximum benefit.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Atrovent Inhalation Solution has been prescribed for you.

Your doctor may have prescribed Atrovent Inhalation Solution for another reason.

There is no evidence that Atrovent Inhalation Solution is addictive.

Atrovent Inhalation Solution is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Atrovent Inhalation Solution is used to treat:

• asthma
• chronic obstructive bronchitis
• people who have difficulty breathing during or after surgery using assisted ventilation.

Asthma is a lung condition where the lining of the lungs becomes inflamed (red and swollen), making it difficult to breathe. This may be due to an allergy to house dust mites, smoke or other irritants.

Chronic obstructive bronchitis is a lung condition that can cause difficulty in breathing, wheeziness and constant coughing.

2. What should I know before I use Atrovent Inhalation Solution?

Warnings

Do not use Atrovent Inhalation Solution if you have an allergy to:

• ipratropium bromide monohydrate
• similar medicines which contain atropine or medicines like atropine
• any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
• any other anticholinergic medicines.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

• shortness of breath, wheezing or troubled breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
• rash, itching or hives on the skin

Do not use Atrovent Inhalation Solution after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should start using Atrovent Inhalation Solution, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Before you start to use it

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

• glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)
• difficulty or pain when passing urine
• constipation
• cystic fibrosis
• hyper reactive airways.

If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start using Atrovent Inhalation Solution.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Atrovent Inhalation Solution during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Atrovent Inhalation Solution during breastfeeding.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and Atrovent Inhalation Solution may interfere with each other. These include:

• medicines used to treat heart problems such as adrenaline
• medicines used to treat asthma or a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as theophylline, salbutamol or tiotropium
• other nebuliser solutions such as disodium cromoglycate that contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride.

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

These medicines may be affected by Atrovent Inhalation Solution, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.

Your doctor may prescribe Atrovent Inhalation Solution with other medicines that relax the air passages for additional symptom relief.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before mixing other nebuliser solutions with Atrovent Inhalation Solution. Some nebulised medicines may not mix well with Atrovent Inhalation Solution and may need to be nebulised separately. 

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using Atrovent Inhalation Solution.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Atrovent Inhalation Solution.

4. How do I use Atrovent Inhalation Solution?

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

Atrovent Inhalation Solution is 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.

Atrovent Inhalation Solution should not be used if the bottle has been opened for more than 28 days.

After this period, a new Atrovent Inhalation Solution bottle should be used.

Take the following steps in using Atrovent Inhalation Solution 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. Place the prescribed number of drops into the nebuliser bowl.
   The dropper insert on top of the bottle delivers 1 mL of Atrovent Inhalation Solution per 20 drops. Each 1 mL of Atrovent Inhalation Solution contains 261 micrograms of ipratropium bromide monohydrate (equivalent to 250 micrograms of ipratropium bromide).
   To make the dropper function, tap lightly on the bottom of the bottle.
3. If dilution is necessary this should be carried out using normal saline and as instructed by your doctor.
4. Assemble the nebuliser and use it as directed by your doctor.
5. After nebulisation follow the manufacturer's instructions about cleaning your nebuliser.

If you are not sure how to use a nebuliser mask, or do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

Children should only use Atrovent Inhalation Solution on medical advice and with the help of an adult.

Fit the nebuliser mask to your or your child's nose and mouth before nebulising and inhaling Atrovent Inhalation Solution to prevent the mist from contacting the eyes.

Should the mist contact the eyes, immediately flush your eyes with cold tap water for several minutes.

If you find it difficult to breathe in and use your nebulising mask at the same time, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to recommend another method.

How much to use

The usual doses for adults and children are stated below.

• Adults: 1 to 2 mL diluted to 2-3 mL with normal saline and nebulised until the entire volume of solution is inhaled, 4 times daily.
• Children: 1 mL diluted to 2-3 mL with normal saline and nebulised until the entire volume of solution is inhaled, 4 times daily.

Depending on your condition and specific needs, your doctor may advise you to take a different dose.

When to use Atrovent Inhalation Solution

If your doctor has advised you to use Atrovent Inhalation Solution regularly, then use your medicine at about the same time each day.

Using it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to use it.

If you forget to use Atrovent Inhalation Solution

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, use it as soon as you remember, and then go back to using you medicine as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to use your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

How long to use it

Continue using Atrovent Inhalation Solution for as long as your doctor tells you.

Atrovent Inhalation Solution helps control your condition, but does not cure it. It is important to keep using it even if you feel well.

If you use too much Atrovent Inhalation Solution

If you think that you have used too much Atrovent Inhalation Solution, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

• phone the Poisons Information Centre
  (by calling 13 11 26), or
• contact your doctor, or
• go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Symptoms of an overdose may include:

• fast or irregular heart beat
• dry mouth
• blurred vision

5. What should I know while using Atrovent Inhalation Solution?

Things you should do

Stop using Atrovent Inhalation Solution and tell your doctor immediately if you get sudden tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after using Atrovent Inhalation Solution.

These may be signs of a condition called bronchospasm.

If you have an Asthma Action Plan that you have agreed with your doctor, follow it closely at all times.

If you find that the usual dose of Atrovent Inhalation Solution is not giving as much relief as before, or you need to use it more often, contact your doctor so that your condition can be checked.

This is important to ensure your breathing problem is controlled properly.

Continue using Atrovent Inhalation Solution for as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.

Keep all your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.

Contact your doctor immediately if your breathing suddenly becomes more difficult after using Atrovent Inhalation Solution.

This may be a sign of an allergic reaction.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience irritation or a feeling of having something in the eye, or any disturbances with your sight (blurred vision, visual halos or coloured images) together with red eyes, during or after using Atrovent Inhalation Solution.

This may mean that you have developed a serious eye condition called narrow-angle glaucoma. This can happen if the solution gets in your eyes.

Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who are treating you that you are using Atrovent Inhalation Solution.

If you are about to start any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are using Atrovent Inhalation Solution.

If you plan to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are using Atrovent Inhalation Solution.

It may affect other medicines during surgery.

If you become pregnant while using Atrovent Inhalation Solution tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Things you should not do

Do not take any other medicines for your breathing problems without checking with your doctor.

Do not give Atrovent Inhalation Solution to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not use Atrovent Inhalation Solution to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.

Do not stop using Atrovent Inhalation Solution or lower the dosage, without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not allow the Atrovent Inhalation Solution to enter the eyes.

Things to be careful of

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Atrovent Inhalation Solution affects you.

Atrovent Inhalation Solution may cause dizziness and blurred vision in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous. Children should be careful when performing physical activities.

Looking after your medicine

Keep your Atrovent Inhalation Solution in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Discard unused contents 28 days after opening.

Do not store it:

• in the bathroom or near a sink, or
• in the car or on window sills

Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If your doctor tells you to stop until Atrovent Inhalation Solution or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.

6. Are there any side effects?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Atrovent Inhalation Solution.

This medicine helps most people with asthma or chronic obstructive bronchitis, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

Do not be alarmed by the following list of possible side effects.

You may not experience any of them.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

If you get any side effects, do not stop using the Atrovent Inhalation Solution without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects

Serious side effects

Very serious side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What Atrovent Inhalation Solution contains

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

Atrovent Inhalation Solution does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

What Atrovent Inhalation Solution looks like

Atrovent Inhalation Solution (AUST R 39953) is a clear, colourless solution, supplied in bottles containing 20 mL of solution.

Who distributes Atrovent Inhalation Solution

Atrovent Inhalation Solution is supplied in Australia by:

Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Limited

ABN 52 000 452 308

Sydney NSW

www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.au

This leaflet was prepared in June 2025.

® Atrovent is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim

© Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Limited 2025