Atrovent N Special Precautions

Hypersensitivity: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur after administration of ATROVENT, as demonstrated by rare cases of rash, urticaria, angioedema, oropharyngeal oedema bronchospasm and anaphylaxis.
Paradoxical bronchospasm: As with other inhaled medicines ATROVENT may result in paradoxical bronchospasm that may be life-threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs ATROVENT should be discontinued immediately and substituted with an alternative therapy.
Ocular complications: ATROVENT should be used with caution in patients predisposed to narrow-angle glaucoma.
There have been isolated reports of ocular complications (i.e. mydriasis, increased intraocular pressure, narrow-angle glaucoma, eye pain) when aerosolised ipratropium bromide either alone or in combination with an adrenergic beta₂- agonist, has come in contact with the eyes.
Eye pain or discomfort, blurred vision, visual halos or coloured images in association with red eyes from conjunctival congestion and corneal oedema may be signs of acute narrow-angle glaucoma. Should any combination of these symptoms develop, treatment with miotic drops should be initiated and specialist advice sought immediately.
Patients must be instructed in the correct administration of ATROVENT: Care must be taken not to allow the mist to enter into the eyes. Since the metered dose inhaler is applied via mouthpiece and manually controlled, the risk for the mist entering the eyes is limited.
Renal and urinary effects: ATROVENT should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing urinary outflow tract obstruction (e.g. prostatic hyperplasia or bladder-neck obstruction).
Gastro-intestinal motility disturbances: Patients with cystic fibrosis may be more prone to gastro-intestinal motility disturbances.
ATROVENT 20 mcg/puff Metered Dose Inhaler contains ethanol: This medicine contains about 8 mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each actuation.
The amount in each actuation of this medicine is equivalent to less than 1 ml beer or 1 ml wine.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, patients should be advised that they may experience undesirable effects such as dizziness, accommodation disorder, mydriasis and blurred vision during treatment with ATROVENT. Therefore, caution should be recommended when driving a car or operating machinery.