Paralytic Ileus Possibly Associated with Nebulized Ipratropium Bromide

Objective: To report a case of paralytic ileus possibly associated with nebulized ipratropium bromide. Case Summary: A 43-year-old man fell from a wall and was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for the resulting thoracic trauma. An epidural thoracic catheter was placed for pain control using bupivacaine 0.25% and methadone 0.2 mg/mL. On hospital day 4, he developed purulent bronchiole constriction, and treatment with nebulized mesna and ipratropium bromide was started. Six hours after the first nebulization, the patient developed abdominal pain and bowel distension. An abdominal X-ray showed intestinal gas retention and dilated loops of large bowel. Paralytic ileus was diagnosed. Nebulized ipratropium bromide treatment was stopped and, during the following 24 hours, the patient gradually improved. Discussion: Nebulized ipratropium bromide–induced paralytic ileus is an uncommon adverse event that may be of considerable clinical relevance. Nebulized ipratropium bromide is predominantly deposited in the oropharynx, but some amount of the drug may be swallowed with resultant systemic adverse effects. Ipratropium bromide is a nonselective muscarinic antagonist and may inhibit contraction of the gastrointestinal tract. Paralytic ileus could not be attributed to an electrolyte disturbance or abdominal injury. The patient's paralytic ileus resolved when nebulized ipratropium bromide was stopped. An objective causality assessment showed that the paralytic ileus was possibly associated with this drug. Conclusions: This case report indicates that ipratropium bromide should be considered capable of inducing paralytic ileus.