Ipratropium Bromide: What Does It Help Against?

Ipratropium bromide is used in the treatment of reversible bronchospasm as a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Ipratropium bromide belongs to the group of anticholinergic ones. These are administered with the help of inhalation. The drug relaxes the muscles of the bronchi and allows better air intake. That said, it makes breathing easier.

Ipratropium bromide is used in the treatment of reversible bronchospasm. This is related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inhaling ipratropium bromide in combination with beta2 agonists is used in the treatment of acute and chronic asthma.

How does ipratropium bromide work?

Ipratropium bromide is a competitive antagonist of the muscarinic receptor acetylchorin. The active ingredient has a strong effect on the bronchial receptors, whether administered intravenously or inhaled, but does not cause a racing heart. It also counteracts the bronchial constriction caused by inhaled cholinergic agonists.

Recommended dose of ipratropium bromide

The drug must always be administered according to the patient’s individual needs. The dose can be increased at the beginning until the patient is stable. In any case, it is the doctor who must determine the dosage intervals.

The recommended daily dose should not be exceeded either in the case of acute symptoms or during further treatment. Ipratropium bromide can be taken in conjunction with fast-acting beta-2 agonists and inhaled at the same time.

Mix the drugs and inhale the solution immediately ; the excess mixture is disposed of. Inhalation can be carried out with commercially available inhalers.

What are the counter-signs and what to look out for?

Ipratropium bromide must not be used if there is an allergy to this or related active substances such as atropine or the corresponding derivatives. Ipratropium bromide must also not be administered in the case of acute coughing fits, wheezing and bronchospasm, which require fast-acting treatment.

In patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, enlarged prostate or bladder stones, the active ingredient must be dosed with caution. Particular care must be taken with patients with cystic vibrosis. Because they tend to develop disorders in the digestive system.

In rare cases, hypersensitivity occurs immediately after administration of ipratropium bromide. This manifests itself, for example, through symptoms such as hives, angioedema, acute skin rash, bronchial spasms, throat edema or anaphylaxis.

If it is improperly administered to the eye, ipratropium bromide may have the following complications:

• Dilatation of the pupil
• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Eye discomfort or pain
• Cloudy vision

How is the inhaler used?

If you are prescribed iprotropium bromide, it is important that you familiarize yourself with how to use it properly. Avoid contact of the eyes with the solution or the spray mist.

Each time you use the inhaler, the following steps should be followed :

• Pull off the protective cap.
• Take a deep breath.
• Put on the inhaler and close your lips around the mouthpiece.
• Then breathe in quickly and deeply while applying pressure to the container so that an inhalation dose of the solution is released.
• Then hold your breath for a few seconds. Then stop using the inhaler and let the air flow out slowly. Put the protective cap back on at the end.

Drug interaction

It has been shown that the simultaneous administration of ipratroium bromide with beta-2 agonists and xynthine derivatives can increase the bronchodilator effects. In the case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), however, it can be safely combined with the usual drugs indicated for this disease.

Patients with a history of narrow-angle glaucoma have an increased risk of the disease recurring if they inhale ipratroium bromide mist with beta-2 agonists.

Side effects of ipratropium bromide

Like all drugs, ipratropium bromide has a number of side effects, but not all people experience them. The most common are :

• a headache
• dizziness
• Cough and throat irritation
• nausea
• Dry mouth
• Indigestion

There are other side effects that are not as common: hypersensitivity, severe allergic reactions, cloudy vision, dilated pupils, increased intraocular pressure, redness and pain in the eyes.

Final remark

Given alone or in combination with a beta agonist, ipratropium bromide relieves bronchospasm in infants and young children caused by viral bronchiolitis and bronchial-pulmonary dysplasia.