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Atrovent Nasal Spray (ipratropium bromide) is used to minimize rhinorrhea, more commonly called a runny nose, from allergies or from having a cold. Atrovent Nasal Spray can be used in patients age 5 and up.

Effects are felt 15 to 30 minutes after administration, and last about 6 hours. It is used three or four times per day, and use should not extend past 3 consecutive weeks.

When to Use---and Not Use---Atrovent Nasal Spray

This medication is effective but very specific in what it treats. When a patient is experiencing allergies or has a cold, the nasal mucous membranes may produce excess mucus in an attempt to keep the antagonizing agents from penetrating further into the body. Many people associate allergies with pollen or animal dander, but they can be caused by a range of particulates in the air or environment:

• Pollen
• Animal dander
• Dust
• Latex
• Soy
• Detergents
• Other particulates

Allergies are fairly common, and everyone gets a cold now and then. Atrovent Nasal Spray will alleviate a runny nose in these cases.

What Atrovent Nasal Spray does not help with includes:

• Congested (stuffy) nose
• Coughing
• Sneezing

Nor will it help with runny nose from other causes:

• Opioid withdrawal
• Genetic disorders
• Nasal tumors
• Head trauma
• Hormonal changes
• Cluster headaches

In other words, when used as intended, Atrovent Nasal Spray is quite effective at minimizing or eliminating a runny nose. Used for other purposes, it is unlikely to provide significant benefit.

Dosage & Administration

Atrovent Nasal Spray comes in a plastic vial with an applicator built in to the top. The vial is held upright, applicator inserted into the nostril, and the applicator is depressed to administer a dose. More detailed instructions are included with each vial.

Vials may need to be primed prior to first use or if not used for more than 24 hours. Holding the vial away from the eyes, depress the applicator several times---it may take 7 to 10 sprays before a uniform mist is expelled. Once primed, the medication is ready to use.

To treat runny nose from a cold:

• Patients age 12 and up should administer 2 sprays in each nostril 3 or 4 times per day.
• Patients age 5 to 11 should administer 2 sprays in each nostril 3 times per day.
• Use should not exceed 4 consecutive days.

To treat runny nose from allergies:

• Patients age 5 and up should administer 2 sprays in each nostril 4 times per day.
• Use should not exceed 3 weeks.

Dosage may vary to some extent by patient; one or three sprays may be advised, for example, though deviations from the above are unusual.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects from Atrovent Nasal Spray are uncommon and usually mild. Most frequently reported include:

• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Dry nose
• Mild nosebleed
• Sore throat
• Mild vision blurring

Rarely more serious side effects occur, which call for medical attention:

• Seeing halos or other hallucinations
• Severe blurred vision
• Other vision changes
• Severe nosebleed
• Difficult and/or painful urination

Other medications may interact with Atrovent Nasal Spray, though this is somewhat unlikely given the administration method directly to the nasal passages. Other nasally-administered medications may be a concern. To be on the safe side, double-check with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing treatments.

Atrovent Nasal Spray is unlikely to be harmful to unborn or nursing babies.