Ipratropium: Uses, Side Effects & Brands in Pakistan
Ipratropium is an inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilator. It is a prescription medicine used for asthma attacks, COPD and runny nose. In Pakistan it is available as solution, inhalers and capsules, made by 5 different manufacturers. On this page you can read how it works, its common side effects and precautions, and compare the brands and prices available at Medimart.
How Ipratropium works
Ipratropium blocks the action of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that makes airway muscles tighten and glands produce mucus. With it blocked, the muscles around the airways relax and widen, making breathing easier. In the nose, it reduces the watery secretions that cause a runny nose.
What is Ipratropium used for?
Ipratropium is used to open the airways and ease wheezing and breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The nebuliser solution is also used, usually together with salbutamol, during acute asthma attacks. Nasal spray versions are used to reduce a runny nose caused by allergic or non-allergic rhinitis and the common cold.
Side effects of Ipratropium
Ipratropium acts mainly in the lungs or nose, so side effects are usually mild. They can include:
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Cough or throat irritation
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Nasal dryness or nosebleeds (nasal spray)
Get urgent help if your breathing suddenly gets worse straight after using it, if you have swelling of the face or throat, or if you develop eye pain, blurred vision or see halos around lights.
Precautions and warnings
- Keep the spray or nebuliser mist out of your eyes, as it can trigger or worsen angle-closure glaucoma; a mouthpiece may be preferred to a face mask when nebulising.
- Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate or difficulty passing urine.
- Let your doctor know about other inhalers or medicines with anticholinergic effects, such as tiotropium.
- If your usual treatment helps less than before, or you need it more often, contact your doctor, as your condition may be getting worse.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, use it only on medical advice.
Frequently asked questions about Ipratropium
What is the price of Ipratropium in Pakistan?
At Medimart, Ipratropium products currently in stock range from Rs 282 to Rs 2,005 per pack, depending on the brand, strength and pack size. The lowest-priced option right now is Ipneb 250mg Nebulizer Solution at Rs 282. Prices are updated regularly, so the product list on this page always shows the latest price.Which brands of Ipratropium are available in Pakistan?
Ipratropium is sold in Pakistan under brand names such as Atem (Chiesi Pharmaceuticals Ltd), Optra (Getz Pharma Pakistan Muller), Ipneb (Atco Laboratories Ltd), Ipratee (Geofman) and Ipratec (Highnoon Laboratories Ltdoratories Ltd).Do I need a prescription for Ipratropium?
Yes. Ipratropium is a prescription medicine in Pakistan. Use it only when a doctor has prescribed it, at the dose and for the time they advise.
Can Ipratropium be used during pregnancy?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, use it only on medical advice.
Are all Ipratropium brands the same?
Brands that contain the same amount of Ipratropium in the same form are expected to work in the same way, although inactive ingredients, pack sizes and prices differ. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching from one brand to another.
Ipratropium brands and prices in Pakistan
Medimart lists 7 products containing Ipratropium from different manufacturers. Compare strengths, pack sizes and prices below and order online with cash on delivery.
