What is Atrovent HFA: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Carefully follow the patient instructions about cleaning and caring for your inhaler.

If you are supposed to use more than one puff, wait at least 15 seconds before inhaling the second puff. Repeat these steps for the next puff starting with shaking the inhaler. You do not need to repeat the test spray.

Inhalation routeWhen you have finished all your inhalations, rinse your mouth out with water.

Inhalation routeHold your breath for about 5 to 10 seconds, and then breathe out slowly.

Inhalation routeOpen your mouth and breathe in slowly and deeply (like yawning), and at the same time firmly press down on the top of the canister once.

Inhalation routeTo inhale this medicine, breathe out fully, trying to get as much air out of the lungs as possible. Put the mouthpiece just in front of your mouth with the canister upright.

Inhalation routeTest spray in the air before using for the first time or if the inhaler has not been used for a while.

Inhalation routeShake the inhaler well just before each use. Avoid spraying this medicine into your eyes.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Inhalation routeRemove the cap and look at the mouthpiece to make sure it is clean.

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Inhalation routeYou will use this medicine with a device called a metered-dose inhaler. The inhaler fits on the medicine canister and turns the medicine into a fine spray that you breathe in through your mouth and to your lungs. You may be told to use a spacer, which is a tube that is placed between the inhaler and your mouth. Your caregiver will show you how to use your inhaler and the spacer (if needed).

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Inhalation routeWhen you have finished all your inhalations, rinse your mouth out with water.

Inhalation routeOpen your mouth and breathe in slowly and deeply (like yawning), and at the same time firmly press down on the top of the canister once.

Inhalation routeTo inhale this medicine, breathe out fully, trying to get as much air out of the lungs as possible. Put the mouthpiece just in front of your mouth with the canister upright.

Inhalation routeRemove the cap and look at the mouthpiece to make sure it is clean.

If you are supposed to use more than one puff, wait at least 15 seconds before inhaling the second puff. Repeat these steps for the next puff starting with shaking the inhaler. You do not need to repeat the test spray.

Inhalation routeShake the inhaler well just before each use. Avoid spraying this medicine into your eyes.

Inhalation routeYou will use this medicine with a device called a metered-dose inhaler. The inhaler fits on the medicine canister and turns the medicine into a fine spray that you breathe in through your mouth and to your lungs. You may be told to use a spacer, which is a tube that is placed between the inhaler and your mouth. Your caregiver will show you how to use your inhaler and the spacer (if needed).

Carefully follow the patient instructions about cleaning and caring for your inhaler.

Inhalation routeHold your breath for about 5 to 10 seconds, and then breathe out slowly.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Inhalation routeTest spray in the air before using for the first time or if the inhaler has not been used for a while.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Inhalation routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to ipratropium or to other medicines like ipratropium (such as atropine, scopolamine, or hyoscyamine). This medicine is not to be used during an asthma attack.

Worsening asthma symptoms or breathing problems.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Do not spray the medicine into your eyes. If this does happen, rinse your eyes with cool water for a few minutes. The medicine might make the dark part of your eye bigger for a few hours. Call your doctor if you have eye pain, blurred vision, or start seeing halos or odd colors when you look at things.

If any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.

If you use any type of corticosteroid medicine to control your asthma, keep using it as ordered by your doctor. This includes corticosteroid medicines that are taken by mouth or inhaled (such as prednisone, Azmacort®, Deltasone®, or Flovent®).

This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an acute asthma attack.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or any problems with urination.

Do not spray the medicine into your eyes. If this does happen, rinse your eyes with cool water for a few minutes. The medicine might make the dark part of your eye bigger for a few hours. Call your doctor if you have eye pain, blurred vision, or start seeing halos or odd colors when you look at things.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

If any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.

If you use any type of corticosteroid medicine to control your asthma, keep using it as ordered by your doctor. This includes corticosteroid medicines that are taken by mouth or inhaled (such as prednisone, Azmacort®, Deltasone®, or Flovent®).

This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an acute asthma attack.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using atropine, scopolamine, or any other ipratropium product (such as an ipratropium nasal spray, an albuterol plus ipratropium liquid, Combivent®, or Duoneb®).