Atrovent HFA Disease Interactions

Aclidinium, ipratropium, umeclidinium, and tiotropium are anticholinergic agents. Although systemic effects are uncommon due to the poor absorption of quaternary ammonium compounds from gastrointestinal and nasal mucosa, worsening of urinary retention or angle-closure glaucoma has been reported. Increased intraocular pressure and precipitation or exacerbation of angle-closure glaucoma may also occur due to inadvertent contact of the eye with aerosolized or nebulized drug. Accordingly, therapy with quaternary ammonium compounds should be administered cautiously in patients with urinary retention/obstruction or angle-closure glaucoma. Measures should be taken whenever possible to minimize ocular exposure to these drugs, such as keeping eyes closed during oral inhalation or use of a mouthpiece rather than face mask during nebulization. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they experience urinary difficulty (especially in patients with prostatic hyperplasia or bladder neck obstruction); or signs and symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma (e.g., eye pain or discomfort; blurred vision; visual halos; colored images in association with red eyes from conjunctival congestion or corneal edema).

Cases of supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation have been reported with the use of inhaled anticholinergic agents in patients with COPD/Asthma. Care and monitoring of cardiac function is recommended when prescribing these agents to patients at risk.

Ipratropium has not been studied in patients with hepatic or renal insufficiency. Therapy with this agent should be used with caution in these patients.