PRECAUTIONS: Before taking ipratropium, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to atropine or other belladonna-type drugs; or if you have any other allergies. Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: heart problems (e.g., arrhythmias, heart failure), high blood pressure (hypertension), thyroid problems (e.g., hyperthyroidism), low potassium levels (hypokalemia), diabetes, bladder problems, prostate problems, glaucoma (narrow-angle type only), kidney problems, liver problems. Avoid getting any of this medicine in your eyes; proper use of the nebulizer may help decrease the risk of eye exposure. Wash your eyes with water if this occurs. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: certain stomach medicine (e.g., anticholinergics such as atropine, dicyclomine, hyoscyamine), anti-Parkinson's drugs (e.g., benztropine, trihexyphenidyl), bladder control drugs (e.g., oxybutynin, tolterodine), eye drops that dilate the eyes (e.g., homatropine), stimulant-like drugs (e.g., ephedrine, pseudoephedrine), beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), certain "water-pills" (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide). Tell your doctor if you are currently taking, or have taken in the last 2 weeks, any: MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.