Ipratropium Bromide Uses

Ipratropium bromide is used for the maintenance treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease.

This medicine is not usually prescribed for acute exacerbations of asthma. Your doctor will give you a rescue inhaler that has a more rapid response to use during an acute asthma exacerbation.

Ipratropium nasal spray is used to relieve rhinorrhea (runny nose) caused by non-allergic and allergic (seasonal) rhinitis. However, it does not provide relief from other symptoms such as nasal congestion, postnasal drip, or sneezing.

There may be other uses of ipratropium bromide—your doctor or pharmacist can give you further drug information.

Ipratropium Bromide Mechanism of Action

Ipratropium inhaler and nebulizer solution make breathing easier and improve pulmonary function by relaxing the smooth muscles of the air passages in the lungs.

Ipratropium Bromide Doses

Ipratropium bromide comes as a metered dose inhaler and nebulizer solution. The dose depends on the strength of the medicine. The number of doses per day, the time period between doses, and the treatment duration depend on the medical problem being treated. Usual doses of ipratropium bromide are as follows:

Treatment of asthma

With ipratropium inhalation aerosol:

• Adults and children 12 years of age and older: 1-4 puffs, 4 times a day as needed, at regularly spaced intervals.
• Children up to 12 years of age: 1-2 puffs, 3-4 times a day as needed, at regularly spaced intervals.

With inhalation solution in a nebulizer:

• Adults and children 12 years of age and older: 500 mcg in a nebulizer 3-4 times a day as needed.
• Children 5 to 12 years of age: 125 to 250 mcg in a nebulizer 3-4 times a day as needed.
• Children up to 5 years of age: The dose will be determined by the child’s doctor.

Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

With ipratropium inhaler:

• Adults: Two puffs 4 times a day as needed, with no more than 12 puffs in a 24-hour period.
• Children: The dose will be determined by the child’s doctor.

With inhalation solution in a nebulizer:

• Adults and children 12 years of age and older: 250 to 500 mcg in a nebulizer 3-4 times a day. 
• Children up to 12 years of age: The dose will be determined by the child’s doctor.