Ipratropium Bromide is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.
- Type
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Brand names
- Atrovent HFA
- Taken
- Respiratory (inhalation)
- Label
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., revised November 5, 2025 · full label on DailyMed
- Generic
- FDA-approved (10 companies) · details
What it is used for
ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol is indicated as a bronchodilator for maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. ATROVENT HFA is an anticholinergic indicated for the maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema ( 1 )
Forms and strengths
ATROVENT HFA is an inhalation aerosol supplied in a pressurized stainless steel canister as a metered-dose inhaler with a white mouthpiece that has a clear, colorless sleeve and a green protective cap. Each pressurized metered-dose aerosol unit for oral inhalation contains a 12.9 g solution of ipratropium bromide (monohydrate) that provides sufficient medication for 200 actuations. After priming, each actuation of the inhaler delivers 21 mcg of ipratropium bromide (monohydrate) from the valve and delivers 17 mcg of ipratropium bromide (monohydrate) from the mouthpiece. Inhalation Aerosol: Each actuation of ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol delivers 17 mcg of ipratropium bromide (monohydrate) from the mouthpiece ( 3 ) Supplied in a 12.9 g canister containing 200 actuations ( 3 )
Who should not take it (contraindications)
ATROVENT HFA is contraindicated in the following conditions [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Hypersensitivity to ipratropium bromide or other ATROVENT HFA components Hypersensitivity to atropine or any of its derivatives Hypersensitivity to ipratropium bromide or other ATROVENT HFA components ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity to atropine or any of its derivatives ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions
Not indicated for the initial treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm where rescue therapy is required for rapid response ( 5.1 ) Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis: Discontinue ATROVENT HFA at once and consider alternative treatments ( 5.2 ) Paradoxical bronchospasm: Discontinue ATROVENT HFA and consider other treatments if paradoxical bronchospasm occurs ( 5.3 ) Ocular effects: Use with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma and instruct patients to consult a physician immediately if signs or symptoms of narrow-angle glaucoma develop ( 5.4 ) Urinary retention: Use with caution in patients with prostatic hyperplasia or bladder-neck obstruction and instruct patients to consult a physician immediately if signs or symptoms of urinary retention develop ( 5.5 )
5.1 Use for Maintenance Treatment Only ATROVENT HFA is a bronchodilator for the maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD and is not indicated for the initial treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm where rescue therapy is required for rapid response.
5.2 Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis Hypersensitivity reactions including urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, and oropharyngeal edema may occur after the administration of ATROVENT HFA. In clinical trials and postmarketing experience with ipratropium-containing products, hypersensitivity reactions such as skin rash, pruritus, angioedema of tongue, lips and face, urticaria (including giant urticaria), laryngospasm and anaphylactic reactions have been reported [ see Adverse Reactions (6.1 , 6.2) ]. If such a reaction occurs, therapy with ATROVENT HFA should be stopped at once and alternative treatment should be considered [ see Contraindications (4) ] .
5.3 Paradoxical Bronchospasm ATROVENT HFA can produce paradoxical bronchospasm that can be life threatening. If this occurs, treatment with ATROVENT HFA should be stopped and other treatments considered.
5.4 Ocular Effects ATROVENT HFA is an anticholinergic and its use may increase intraocular pressure. This may result in precipitation or worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma. Therefore, ATROVENT HFA should be used with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma [ see Drug Interactions (7.1) ]. Patients should avoid spraying ATROVENT HFA into their eyes. If a patient sprays ATROVENT HFA into their eyes, they may cause eye pain or discomfort, temporary blurring of vision, mydriasis, visual halos or colored images in association with red eyes from conjunctival and corneal congestion. Advise patients to consult their physician immediately if any of these symptoms develop while using ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol.
5.5 Urinary Retention ATROVENT HFA is an anticholinergic and may cause urinary retention. Therefore, caution is advised when administering ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol to patients with prostatic hyperplasia, or bladder-neck obstruction [ see Drug Interactions (7.1) ].
Side effects (adverse reactions)
The following adverse reactions are described, or described in greater detail, in other sections: Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis [ see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Paradoxical Bronchospasm [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Ocular Effects [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Urinary Retention [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in patients. Most common adverse reactions (>5% incidence in the 12-week placebo-controlled trials) were bronchitis, COPD exacerbation, dyspnea, and headache ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-542-6257 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience The adverse reaction information concerning ATROVENT HFA is derived from two 12-week, double-blind, parallel-group studies and one 1-year open-label, parallel group study. These studies compared ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol, ATROVENT CFC Inhalation Aerosol, and placebo (in one study only) in 1,010 COPD patients. The following table lists the incidence of adverse reactions that occurred at a rate of greater than or equal to 3% in any ipratropium bromide group and greater than placebo in the 12-week study. The frequency of corresponding reactions in the 1-year open label study is included for comparison. TABLE 1 Adverse Reactions (% Patients) in ATROVENT HFA Clinical Trials Placebo-controlled 12-week Study 244.1405 and Active-controlled 12-week Study 244.1408 Active-controlled 1-year Study 244.2453 ATROVENT HFA (N=243) % ATROVENT CFC (N=183) % Placebo (N=128) % ATROVENT HFA (N=305) % ATROVENT CFC (N=151) % BODY AS A WHOLE – GENERAL DISORDERS Back pain 2 3 2 7 3 Headache 6 9 8 7 5 Influenza-like symptoms 4 2 2 8 5 CENTRAL & PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS Dizziness 3 3 2 3 1 GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM DISORDERS Dyspepsia 1 3 1 5 3 Mouth dry 4 2 2 2 3 Nausea 4 1 2 4 4 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISORDERS Bronchitis 10 11 6 23 19 COPD exacerbation 8 14 13 23 23 Dyspnea 8 8 4 7 4 Sinusitis 1 4 3 11 14 URINARY SYSTEM DISORDERS Urinary tract infection 2 3 1 10 8 Cough, rhinitis, and upper respiratory infection occurred in greater than or equal to 3% of patients in either ipratropium treatment group but not greater than placebo in the 12-week study. In the one open-label controlled study in 456 COPD patients, the overall incidence of adverse events was also similar between ATROVENT HFA and ATROVENT CFC formulations. Overall, in the above mentioned studies, 9.3% of the patients taking 42 mcg ATROVENT HFA and 8.7% of the patients taking 42 mcg ATROVENT CFC reported at least one adverse event that was considered by the investigator to be related to the study drug. The most common drug-related adverse events were dry mouth (1.6% of ATROVENT HFA and 0.9% of ATROVENT CFC patients), and taste perversion (bitter taste) (0.9% of ATROVENT HFA and 0.3% of ATROVENT CFC patients). As an anticholinergic drug, cases of precipitation or worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma, glaucoma, halo vision, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal edema, mydriasis, acute eye pain, dry throat, hypotension, palpitations, urinary retention, tachycardia, constipation, bronchospasm, including paradoxical bronchospasm have been reported with the use of ATROVENT. Additional adverse reactions identified for ATROVENT seen in clinical trials include throat irritation, stomatitis, mouth edema, and vision blurred. Allergic-type reactions such as skin rash, pruritus, angioedema including that of tongue, lips and face, urticaria (including giant urticaria), laryngospasm and anaphylactic reactions have been reported [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].
6.2 Postmarketing Experience In a 5-year, placebo-controlled trial, hospitalizations for supraventricular tachycardia and/or atrial fibrillation occurred with an incidence rate of 0.5% in COPD patients receiving ATROVENT CFC. In addition to the adverse reactions reported in the controlled clinical trials, adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ATROVENT. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Allergic-type reactions such as skin rash, angioedema including that of tongue, lips and face, urticaria (including giant urticaria), laryngospasm, and anaphylactic reactions have been reported, with positive rechallenge in some cases. Additionally, urinary retention, mydriasis, gastrointestinal distress (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting), cough and bronchospasm, including paradoxical bronchospasm, hypersensitivity reactions, intraocular pressure increased, accommodation disorder, heart rate increased, pharyngeal edema, and gastrointestinal motility disorders have been reported during the postmarketing period with use of ATROVENT.
Drug interactions
ATROVENT HFA has been used concomitantly with other drugs, including sympathomimetic bronchodilators, methylxanthines, oral and inhaled steroids commonly used in the treatment of COPD. With the exception of albuterol, there are no formal studies fully evaluating the interaction effects of ATROVENT HFA and these drugs with respect to safety and effectiveness. Anticholinergics: May interact additively with concomitantly used anticholinergic medications. Avoid administration of ATROVENT HFA with other anticholinergic-containing drugs ( 7.1 )
7.1 Anticholinergic Agents There is potential for an additive interaction with concomitantly used anticholinergic medications. Therefore, avoid coadministration of ATROVENT HFA with other anticholinergic-containing drugs as this may lead to an increase in anticholinergic adverse effects [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4 , 5.5) ].
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Ipratropium is negligibly absorbed systemically following oral inhalation; therefore, maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. There is limited experience with ipratropium bromide use in pregnant women. Published literature, including cohort studies, case control studies and case series, over several decades have not identified a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Based on animal reproduction studies, no evidence of structural alterations was observed when ipratropium bromide was administered to pregnant mice, rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses up to approximately 200, 40,000, and 10,000 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human daily inhalation dose (MRHDID) in adults (see Data ) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In animal reproduction studies, oral and inhalation administration of ipratropium bromide to pregnant mice, rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis did not show evidence of fetal structural alterations. The ipratropium bromide dose in oral studies in mice, rats, and rabbits was up to approximately 200, 40,000, and 10,000 times, respectively, the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m 2 basis at maternal doses of 10, 1,000, and 125 mg/kg/day, respectively). The ipratropium bromide dose in inhalation studies in rats and rabbits was up to approximately 60 and 140 times, respectively, the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m 2 basis at maternal doses of 1.5 and 1.8 mg/kg/day, respectively). Embryotoxicity was observed as increased resorption in rats at oral doses approximately 3,600 times the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m 2 basis at maternal doses of 90 mg/kg/day and above). This effect is not considered relevant to human use due to the large doses at which it was observed and the difference in route of administration.
8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of ipratropium in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Although lipid-insoluble quaternary cations pass into breast milk, ipratropium concentrations in plasma after inhaled therapeutic doses are low, therefore, ipratropium levels in human breast milk are expected to be low [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for ATROVENT HFA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from ATROVENT HFA or from the underlying maternal condition.
8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in the pediatric population have not been established.
8.5 Geriatric Use In the pivotal 12-week study, both ATROVENT HFA and ATROVENT CFC formulations were equally effective in patients over 65 years of age and under 65 years of age. Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of ATROVENT HFA, 57% were ≥65 years of age. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects.
How it works
Ipratropium bromide is an anticholinergic (parasympatholytic) agent which, based on animal studies, appears to inhibit vagally-mediated reflexes by antagonizing the action of acetylcholine, the transmitter agent released at the neuromuscular junctions in the lung. Anticholinergics prevent the increases in intracellular concentration of Ca++ which is caused by interaction of acetylcholine with the muscarinic receptors on bronchial smooth muscle.
Is there a generic Ipratropium Bromide?
Yes. The FDA has approved generic Ipratropium Bromide from 10 companies whose approvals are active. The earliest of these was approved in 2001.
An FDA approval does not always mean the generic is already in pharmacies: patent disputes and settlements can delay a launch for years. Your pharmacist can tell you whether a generic is actually available and covered by your plan.
The FDA rates these generics as therapeutically equivalent to the brand ("A" rating): same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and effect. Pharmacists can usually substitute them unless the prescriber says otherwise.
Companies with an approved generic
Amneal, Apotex Inc, Armstrong Pharms, Bausch, Hikma, Luoxin Aurovitas, Lupin, Nephron, Ritedose Corp, Rubicon Research
Brand-name versions
- Atrovent Boehringer Ingelheim, approved 1986 Discontinued
- Atrovent Hfa Boehringer Ingelheim, approved 2004
Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.
Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.
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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID 170e98ef-5560-4068-be7d-e649068eb884.