Ipratropium Bromide and Tachycardia

• Generic Name: ipratropium
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Atrovent HFA, Atrovent

Long-term treatment of reversible bronchospasm associated with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Fixed combination with albuterol sulfate is used for the symptomatic management of bronchospasm associated with COPD in patients who continue to have evidence of bronchospasm despite the regular use of an orally inhaled bronchodilator and who require a second bronchodilator.

Has been used for symptomatic treatment of acute or chronic bronchial asthma; β2-adrenergic agonist bronchodilators generally preferred initially for relief of bronchospasm in asthmatic patients.

May be useful as alternative therapy in adults experiencing adverse effects (e.g., tachycardia, arrhythmia, tremor) with a β-adrenergic agonist.

Some clinicians consider ipratropium as adjunctive therapy in patients with moderate or severe exacerbations (peak expiratory flow rate ≤80% of predicted) of asthma who fail to respond adequately to β-adrenergic agonists and corticosteroids.

May be useful for prevention or reversal of bronchospasm induced by β-adrenergic blocking agents (e.g., propranolol) in asthmatic patients; β-adrenergic bronchodilators generally ineffective for this indication in such patients.