Ipratropium(i-pra-troe-pee-um)
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Apoven. It
does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor and pharmacist.
All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed
the risks of you using Apoven against the benefits this medicine is
expected to have for you.
If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your
doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
Apoven contains ipratropium as the active ingredient.
What Apoven is used for
Ipratropium is a medicine which can be used to prevent or to
treat the narrowing of the airways associated with asthma.
Ipratropium can also be used to relieve any reversible airways
blockage associated with problems such as repeated infections affecting
the airways. Ipratropium works by opening up the narrowed airways
to assist breathing.
Your doctor may have prescribed ipratropium for another reason.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why ipratropium has
been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
There is no evidence that ipratropium is addictive.
Before you use Apoven
When you must not use it
Do not use ipratropium if:
- you have an allergy to atropine, ipratropium, other
asthma medicines or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include
skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing, wheezing, asthma attack,
swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat, low blood pressure or
collapse.
- the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
- the expiry date on the pack has passed.
If you use this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it
may not work as well or it may make you feel sick.
If you are not sure whether you should start using ipratropium,
talk to your doctor.
Before you start to use it
You must tell your doctor:
- if you have any allergies
to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives
or dyes - if you have or have ever
had any other health problems/medical conditions, including:
- glaucoma, high pressure in the eye
- difficulty in passing urine
- constipation, inability to open bowels
- cystic fibrosis.
- if you are pregnant or
intend to become pregnant
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using
ipratropium during pregnancy.
- if you are breast-feeding
or plan to breast-feed
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using
ipratropium when breast-feeding.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell
them before you begin using ipratropium.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking/using any other medicines,
including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your
pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
How to use Apoven
How much to use
Apoven is to be used under the direction of a doctor. Your doctor
will recommend a suitable dose for you.
How to use it
Apoven is to be delivered from an efficient device, called a
nebuliser, which produces a fine mist to breathe in.
Opening instructions for the single dose units:
Twist a single unit downwards to remove from the strip.
Flick the single dose unit so that the solution flows to the
bottom.
Hold the base of the single dose unit and break the seal with
a quick twisting action. Snap off the top.
Squeeze the contents of the single dose unit into the nebuliser
bowl.
The ipratropium solution must not enter the eyes, be injected
or swallowed.
How long to use it
Your doctor will decide how long you will need to use Apoven.
If you use too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre
(telephone 13 11 26), or go to casualty at your nearest
hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have used too much
or swallowed any of the Apoven single dose units. Do this even if
there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent
medical attention. Keep telephone numbers of these places/services
handy.
If you use too much Apoven you may have:
- dry mouth
- fast heart rate
- difficulty in passing urine
- constipation, inability to open bowels
- eyesight difficulty
- red, painful eyes with brow-ache or headache and
possibly followed by nausea or vomiting.
While you are using Apoven
Things you must do
If the symptoms of your asthma do not improve within a few days,
or if they become worse, tell your doctor.
If you become pregnant while you are using ipratropium tell
your doctor.
If you are about to start taking/using any new medicine, tell
your doctor and pharmacist that you are using ipratropium.
Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating
you that you are using ipratropium.
Things you must not do
Do not give ipratropium to anyone else, even if they have the
same condition as you.
Do not use ipratropium to treat any other complaints unless
your doctor tells you to.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how
ipratropium affects you. Ipratropium generally does not cause any problems with your
ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you
do not feel well while you are using ipratropium. Like other medicines, ipratropium can cause some side effects.
If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However,
some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may
have.
While using it
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they
worry you:
- mouth/ throat irritation
- cough
- headache
- nausea
- indigestion
- constipation.
These are all mild side effects of ipratropium.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest
hospital if you notice any of the following:
- difficulty in passing urine
- red, painful eyes with brow-ache or headache and
possibly followed by nausea or vomiting - eye pain
- dilated pupils of the eyes
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- swelling with fluid in the tissues
- skin rash, may be itchy
- changes in the way your heart beats eg. if you
notice it beating faster or the beats are irregular.
These are all serious side effects of ipratropium. You may need
urgent medical attention.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You
may not experience any of them.
After using Apoven
Storage
Apoven will generally be stored in the pharmacy or in a hospital
ward.
If stored at home, keep your Apoven single dose units in their
original packs until it is time to use them. If you take the Apoven single dose units out of the pack it
may not keep well.
Keep it in a cool dry place, protected from light where the
temperature stays below 25 deg C. Do not store it or any other medicine
in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the
ground is a good place to store medicines.
Product description
What it looks like
Apoven is available in two strengths:
- Apoven 250 equivalent to ipratropium 250 microgram/1mL available in packs of 30 single dose units. AUST R 75559
- Apoven 500 equivalent to ipratropium 500 microgram/1mL
available in packs of 30 single dose units. AUST R 82352
Ingredients
Apoven contains ipratropium as the active ingredient. Apoven
also contains:
sodium chloride BP
- Water for Injections.
- Apoven does not contain
preservatives, gluten, lactose, sucrose, tartrazine or any other
azo dyes.
Sponsor
Douglas Pharmaceuticals Australia Ltd
3/10 Inglewood
Place
Norwest Business Park
Baulkham Hills
NSW 2153
Date of Preparation:
12th September 2002
Published by MIMS March 2009