Consumer medicine information

Chem mart® Ipratropium

Ipratropium (i-pra-troe-pee-um)


Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Chem mart Ipratropium. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor and pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using ipratropium against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet.

You may need to read it again.

What Chem mart Ipratropium is used for

Ipratropium is used to:

  • prevent or treat the narrowing of the airways associated with asthma
  • relieve blockage of the airways associated with chronic bronchitis
  • treat narrowing of the airways after surgery
  • aid assisted breathing with a respirator.

This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called anticholinergic medicines.

It works by opening up the narrowed airways to assist with breathing.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.

Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.

This medicine is not addictive.

This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.

This medicine is not expected to alter your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.

Before you use Chem mart Ipratropium

When you must not use it

Do not use ipratropium if you have an allergy to:

  • any medicine containing ipratropium
  • any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
  • some other anticholinergic medicines, such as atropine.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should start using this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to use it

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

  • glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)
  • difficulty in passing urine
  • constipation
  • cystic fibrosis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits involved.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start using ipratropium.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are using any other medicines, including medicines that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

How to use Chem mart Ipratropium

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to use

Ipratropium is to be used under the direction of a doctor. Your doctor will recommend a suitable dose for you.

How to use it

Do not swallow or inject this medicine or allow it to enter the eyes.

Ipratropium is to be used in a device called a nebuliser, which produces a fine mist to breathe in.

Assemble the nebuliser according to the manufacturer’s directions and the advice of your doctor.

Carefully open the ipratropium single dose unit as follows:

  • twist a single dose unit downwards to remove it 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. If dilution is necessary this should be carried out using normal saline as instructed by your doctor.

The solution should be freshly prepared before use.

Ensure that the nebuliser mask is properly fitted to your nose and mouth before nebulising and inhaling your medicine.

Turn on the nebuliser and inhale the mist.

When you have finished inhaling your dose, discard any leftover solution in the nebuliser bowl and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your nebuliser.

How long to use it

Your doctor will decide how long you will need to use ipratropium for.

If you forget to use it

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and inhale your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, inhale it as soon as you remember, then go back to using your medicine as you would normally.

Do not inhale a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to use your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you use too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have used too much ipratropium. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Symptoms of an overdose may include dry mouth, blurred vision and a fast heart rate.

While you are using Chem mart Ipratropium

Things you must do

If your breathing does not improve, or it becomes worse, tell your doctor.

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are using ipratropium.

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are using this medicine.

If you become pregnant while using this medicine tell your doctor immediately.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked.

Things you must not do

Do not allow the ipratropium solution to enter your eyes.

Do not use ipratropium to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not stop using your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using ipratropium.

This medicine helps most people with breathing problems due to conditions such as asthma, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects.

You may not experience any of them.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

  • dry mouth, throat irritation
  • cough
  • headache
  • nausea
  • indigestion
  • constipation.

The side effects included in the above list are usually mild.

If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:

  • difficulty in passing urine
  • red eyes, painful eyes, blurred vision, dilated pupils
  • a fast or irregular heart beat
  • signs of an allergic reaction, such as shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.

After using Chem mart Ipratropium

Storage

If storing ipratropium at home, keep the single dose units in the pack until it is time to use them.

If you take the single dose units out of the foil pack they may not keep well.

Keep this medicine in a cool dry place, protected from light where the temperature stays below 25 °C.

Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car.

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

Chem mart Ipratropium is available in the following strengths and pack size:

  • 250 micrograms/mL, packs of 30 single dose units.

AUST R 74020

  • 500 micrograms/mL, packs of 30 single dose units

AUST R 82355.

Ingredients

Chem mart Ipratropium contains either 250 micrograms/mL or 500 micrograms/mL of ipratropium as the active ingredient. It also contains:

  • sodium chloride
  • water for Injections.

Chem mart Ipratropium does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

Sponsor

GenRx Pty Ltd

ABN 52 096 916 148

Level 21, 390 St Kilda Road

Melbourne, Victoria 3004

Australia

Distributor

Chem mart Pty Limited

ABN 92 001 235 374

115 Sherriff Street

Underdale

South Australia 5032

Chem mart is a registered trade mark of FH Faulding & Co Limited

This leaflet was prepared in:

March 2004

Published by MIMS August 2004