Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- How it is given
- nasal
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 1797833
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
INDICATIONS AND USAGE: Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray) is indicated for the symptomatic relief of rhinorrhea associated with allergic and nonallergic perennial rhinitis in adults and children age 6 years and older. Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray) does not relieve nasal congestion, sneezing, or postnasal drip associated with allergic or nonallergic perennial rhinitis.
About this medicine
DESCRIPTION: The active ingredient in Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray) is ipratropium bromide monohydrate. It is an anticholinergic agent chemically described as 8-azoniabicyclo[3.2.1] octane, 3-(3-hydroxy-1-oxo-2 phenylpropoxy)-8-methyl-8-(1-methylethyl)-, bromide monohydrate (3-endo, 8-syn)-: a synthetic quaternary ammonium compound, chemically related to atropine. Its structural formula is: ipratropium bromide monohydrate C 20 H 30 BrNO 3 • H 2 O Mol. Wt. 430.4 Ipratropium bromide is a white to off-white crystalline substance, freely soluble in water and methanol, sparingly soluble in ethanol, and insoluble in non-polar media. In aqueous solution, it exists in an ionized state as a quaternary ammonium compound. Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray) is a metered-dose, manual pump spray unit which delivers 21 mcg (70 microliters) ipratropium bromide per spray on an anhydrous basis in an isotonic, aqueous solution, with pH-adjusted to 4.7 with hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (if needed). It also contains benzalkonium chloride, edetate disodium, sodium chloride and purified water. Each bottle contains 345 sprays. ipratropium bromide monohydrate (structural formula)
How it works
Mechanism of Action: Ipratropium bromide is an anticholinergic (parasympatholytic) agent which, based on animal studies, appears to inhibit vagally-mediated reflexes by antagonizing the action of acetylcholine, the transmitter agent released at the neuromuscular junctions in the lung. In humans, ipratropium bromide has anti-secretory properties and, when applied locally, inhibits secretions from the serous and seromucous glands lining the nasal mucosa. Ipratropium bromide is a quaternary amine that minimally crosses the nasal and gastrointestinal membranes and the blood-brain barrier, resulting in a reduction of the systemic anticholinergic effects (e.g., neurologic, ophthalmic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal effects) that are seen with tertiary anticholinergic amines.
Who should not take it
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray) is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to atropine or its derivatives, or to any of the other ingredients.
Warnings
WARNINGS: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur after administration of ipratropium bromide, as demonstrated by urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, and oropharyngeal edema. If such a reaction occurs, therapy with Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray) should be stopped at once and alternative treatment should be considered.
Reported side effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS: Adverse reaction information on Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray) in patients with perennial rhinitis was derived from four multicenter, vehicle-controlled clinical trials involving 703 patients (356 patients on ipratropium bromide and 347 patients on vehicle), and a one-year, open-label, follow-up trial. In three of the trials, patients received Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray) three times daily, for eight weeks. In the other trial, Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray) was given to patients two times daily for four weeks. Of the 285 patients who entered the open-label, follow-up trial, 232 were treated for 3 months, 200 for 6 months, and 159 up to one year. The majority (>86%) of patients treated for one year were maintained on 42 mcg per nostril, two or three times daily, of Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray). Table 1 shows adverse events, and the frequency that these adverse events led to the discontinuation of treatment, reported for patients who received Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray) at the recommended dose of 42 mcg per nostril, or vehicle two or three times daily for four or eight weeks. Only adverse events reported with an incidence of at least 2.0% in the ipratropium bromide group and higher in the ipratropium bromide group than in the vehicle group are shown. Table 1: % of Patients Reporting Events This table includes adverse events which occurred at an incidence rate of at least 2.0% in the ipratropium bromide group and more frequently in the ipratropium bromide group than in the vehicle group. Ipratropium Bromide Nasal Solution 0.03% (Nasal Spray) (n=356) Incidence% Discontinued% Headache 9.8 0.6 Upper respiratory tract infection 9.8 1.4 Epistaxis Epistaxis reported by 7.0% of ipratropium bromide patients and 2.3% of vehicle patients, blood-tinged mucus by 2.0% of ipratropium bromide patients and 2.3% of vehicle patients. 9.0 0.3 Rhinitis All events are listed by their WHO term; rhinitis has been presented by descriptive terms for clarification. […]
Interactions with other medicines
Drug Interactions: No controlled clinical trials were conducted to investigate potential drug-drug interactions. There is potential for an additive interaction with other concomitantly administered medications with anticholinergic properties, including ipratropium bromide for oral inhalation.
If too much is taken
OVERDOSAGE: Acute overdosage by intranasal administration is unlikely since ipratropium bromide is not well absorbed systemically after intranasal or oral administration. Following administration of a 20 mg oral dose (equivalent to ingesting more than four bottles of ipratropium bromide nasal solution 0.03% [Nasal Spray]) to 10 male volunteers, no change in heart rate or blood pressure was noted. Following a 2 mg intravenous infusion over 15 minutes to the same 10 male volunteers, plasma ipratropium concentrations of 22-45 ng/mL were observed (>100 times the concentrations observed following intranasal administration). Following intravenous infusion, these 10 volunteers had a mean increase of heart rate of 50 bpm and less than 20 mmHg change in systolic or diastolic blood pressure at the time of peak ipratropium levels.
Storing it safely
STORAGE: Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions are permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Avoid freezing. Keep out of reach of children. Do not spray in the eyes. Patients should be reminded to read and follow the accompanying PATIENT'S INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE , which should be dispensed with the product.
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 1 May 2019. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.