Atrovent vs. Flovent

• Are Atrovent and Flovent the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Atrovent?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Flovent?
• What Is Atrovent?
• What Is Flovent?
• What Drugs Interact with Atrovent?
• What Drugs Interact with Flovent?
• How Should Atrovent Be Taken?
• How Should Flovent Be Taken?

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide HFA) and Flovent (fluticasone propionate) are used to treat different types of breathing problems.

Atrovent HFA is used for maintenance and treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

Flovent is used to prevent asthma attacks. It will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun.

Atrovent HFA and Flovent belong to different drug classes. Atrovent HFA is an anticholinergic bronchodilator and Flovent is a corticosteroid.

Side effects of Atrovent HFA and Flovent that are similar include hoarseness, runny or stuffy nose, signs of infection (fever, chills, cough, sore throat), or vision problems or blurred vision.

Side effects of Atrovent HFA that are different from Flovent include headache, dry mouth, sinus pain, nausea, upset stomach, constipation, back pain, body aches, flu symptoms, or dizziness.

Side effects of Flovent that are different from Atrovent HFA include white patches in your mouth/on your tongue, increased thirst or urination, easy bruising or bleeding, mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, agitation), bone pain, wheezing, or headache.

Common side effects of Atrovent include:

• headache
• dry mouth
• hoarseness
• cough
• stuffy nose
• sinus pain
• nausea
• upset stomach
• constipation
• back pain
• fever
• chills
• body aches
• flu symptoms
• blurred vision, and
• dizziness

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Atrovent HFA including bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing), eye pain, seeing halos around lights, pain or burning when you urinate, urinating less than usual or not at all, or worsening of your symptoms.

Common side effects of Flovent include:

• hoarseness,
• sore throat,
• white patches in your mouth/on your tongue,
• signs of infection (fever, chills, cough, persistent sore throat),
• vision problems,
• increased thirst or urination,
• easy bruising or bleeding,
• mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, agitation),
• bone pain,
• wheezing,
• runny or stuffy nose, or
• headache.

Infrequently, Flovent may cause sudden severe wheezing or trouble breathing immediately after you use it. If this occurs, use your quick-relief inhaler and get medical help right away.

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide HFA) is an anticholinergic bronchodilator, packaged in an inhaler, used for maintenance and treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Atrovent HFA is available as a generic termed ipratropium bromide.

Flovent (fluticasone propionate) is a steroid used to prevent asthma attacks. It will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun.

Atrovent HFA may interact with other bronchodilators. Atrovent HFA may also interact with bladder or urinary medicines, cold or allergy medicines that contain an antihistamine, medications for Parkinson's disease, or medications to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Flovent may interact with antifungal medicines or HIV/AIDS medicines.

Flovent may also interact with conivaptan, diclofenac, imatinib, isoniazid, antibiotics, antidepressants, and heart or blood pressure medications.

The usual starting dose of ATROVENT HFA is two inhalations four times a day. Patients may take additional inhalations as required; however, the total number of inhalations should not exceed 12 in 24 hours.

Flovent should be orally inhaled only in patients aged 12 years and older. The recommended starting dose ranges from 88-880 mcg twice daily. The maximum recommended dose is 880 mcg twice daily.