Long-term safety and efficacy study of intranasal ipratropium bromide.

Forty patients presenting with watery rhinorrhoea as their main complaint were entered in an open trial of long-term intranasal ipratropium bromide. Fourteen of these (35 per cent) found it to be beneficial and completed one year of treatment. Side-effects were seen in 28 patients (70 per cent) but these were local and mild in nature. All resolved during the trial as patients adjusted the dosage to individual severity and frequency of symptoms. No significant systemic effects were noted during the course of therapy. Ipratropium is a useful drug in the treatment of watery rhinorrhoea and appears safe for long-term use.