Ipratropium Nasal Spray for Allergies
Allergies are the immune system's specific reaction to normally harmless substances, such as pollens, certain foods, or medicines. Allergies can either be seasonal or perennial. Seasonal allergies (such as
hay fever) occur at specific times of the year, while perennial allergies can occur throughout the year. Allergies can affect various parts of the body, and
allergy symptoms are particularly common in the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Nasal allergies mostly affect the nose and eyes. Nasal allergies are also known as allergic rhinitis.
Ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray is approved to treat a runny nose due to seasonal nasal allergies, and ipratropium 0.03% nasal spray is approved to treat a runny nose due to perennial (year-round) nasal allergies.
Ipratropium nasal spray will not help with nasal congestion, sneezing, or postnasal drip associated with nasal allergies.
Ipratropium Nasal Spray for Year-Round, Non-Allergic Nasal Symptoms
Sometimes, people have nasal symptoms (such as nasal congestion, a runny nose, or an itchy nose) that are not caused by allergens. This is called non-allergic rhinitis. There are many different causes of non-allergic rhinitis, including irritants, infections, or various other causes. The symptoms can be identical to the symptoms of nasal allergies, so sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between the two. Usually, allergy testing is required to diagnose non-allergic rhinitis in order to make sure allergies do not play a factor. Ipratropium 0.03% nasal spray is approved to treat a runny nose due to year-round (perennial) non-allergic rhinitis.
How Does Ipratropium Nasal Spray Work?
Ipratropium nasal spray belongs to a group of medications known as anticholinergics or antimuscarinics. Ipratropium nasal spray works by decreasing the fluid production in the glands that line the nasal passages, helping to relieve a runny nose.
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