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Atrovent vs. Ventolin

Are Atrovent and Ventolin the Same Thing?

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide HFA) and Ventolin HFA (albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol) are bronchodilators 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.

Ventolin HFA is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease. Ventolin HFA is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Side effects of Atrovent HFA and Ventolin HFA that are similar include headache, dry mouth, hoarseness, cough, runny or stuffy nose, nausea, or dizziness.

Side effects of Atrovent HFA that are different from Ventolin HFA include sinus pain, upset stomach, constipation, back pain, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, or blurred vision.

Side effects of Ventolin HFA that are different from Atrovent HFA include nervousness, shaking (tremor), palpitations, throat dryness, sore throat, vomiting, sleep problems (insomnia), muscle pain, changes in taste, or diarrhea.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Atrovent?

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.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Ventolin?

Common side effects of Ventolin include:

  • nervousness,
  • shaking (tremor),
  • palpitations,
  • headache,
  • mouth/throat dryness or irritation,
  • cough,
  • hoarseness,
  • sore throat,
  • runny or stuffy nose,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • dizziness,
  • sleep problems (insomnia),
  • muscle pain,
  • changes in taste, or
  • diarrhea.

Seek medical help immediately if you have rare but serious side effects of Ventolin HFA, including:

What Is Atrovent?

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.

What Is Ventolin?

Ventolin HFA (albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol) is a bronchodilator used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease. Ventolin HFA is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. Ventolin HFA is available in generic form.

 

What Drugs Interact With Atrovent?

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.

What Drugs Interact With Ventolin?

Ventolin HFA may adversely interact with diuretics (water pills), digoxin, beta-blockers, antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, or other bronchodilators. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Ventolin HFA should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

 

How Should Atrovent Be Taken?

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.

How Should Ventolin Be Taken?

The dose of Ventolin HFA for adults and children for treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm or prevention of symptoms associated with bronchospasm is 2 inhalations repeated every 4 to 6 hours. More frequent administration or a larger number of inhalations is not recommended. For exercise-induced bronchospasm, the dose is 2 inhalations 15 to 30 minutes before exercise.