Uses of Aclidinium Oral Inhalation
Aclidinium oral inhalation is used as a long term treatment to prevent wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, a group of diseases that affect the lungs and airways) such as chronic bronchitis (swelling of the air passages that lead to the lungs) and emphysema (damage to air sacs in the lungs). Aclidinium is in a class of medications called bronchodilators. It works by relaxing and opening the air passages to the lungs to make breathing easier.
Side Effects of Aclidinium Oral Inhalation
- headache
- runny nose and other cold symptoms
- cough
- diarrhea
Some side effects of aclidinium oral inhalation can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using aclidinium and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- sudden shortness of breath immediately after inhaling the medication
- eye pain or redness
- blurred vision
- seeing halos or bright colors around lights
- nausea or vomiting
- difficult, painful, or frequent urination
- weak urine stream
- rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
Aclidinium oral inhalation may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before using aclidinium oral inhalation:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to aclidinium, atropine (Atropen, in Lomotil, in Lonox, in Motofen), any other medications, any of the ingredients in aclidinium inhalation powder, or milk proteins. Ask your pharmacist or check the patient information for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antihistamines; atropine (Atropen, in Lomotil, in Lonox, in Motofen); glycopyrrolate (Lonhala Magnair, Seebri, in Bevespi Aerosphere, in Utibron); ipratropium (Atrovent); medications for irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, ulcers, and urinary problems; tiotropium (Spiriva); and umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta, in Anoro Ellipta, in Trelegy Ellipta). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye that may cause vision loss), benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH; enlargement of a male reproductive gland), a bladder condition, or any other condition that makes it difficult for you to empty your bladder completely.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking aclidinium oral inhalation, call your doctor.
Dosage
Aclidinium oral inhalation comes as a dry powder in an inhalation device to inhale by mouth. It is usually inhaled twice a day, once every 12 hours. Inhale aclidinium at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Inhale aclidinium exactly as directed. Do not inhale more or less of it or inhale it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not use aclidinium oral inhalation to treat a sudden attack of wheezing or shortness of breath. Your doctor will prescribe a rescue medication to treat sudden attacks of symptoms. Keep this rescue medication with you at all times in case you have sudden difficulty breathing.
Your condition may worsen over time during your treatment with aclidinium oral inhalation. Do not take extra doses of aclidinium if this happens. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if your breathing problems worsen, you need to use your rescue medication to treat sudden attacks more often, or your rescue medication does not relieve your symptoms as well as it did in the past.
Aclidinium can help control your symptoms but does not cure COPD. You may notice some improvement in your symptoms the first day that you use aclidinium, but it may take longer for you to feel the full benefit of the medication. Continue to use aclidinium oral inhalation even if you feel well. Do not stop using aclidinium oral inhalation without talking to your doctor.
Before you use your aclidinium inhalation device for the first time, read the manufacturer’s directions for use carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to use the device and practice using it while he or she watches.
Be careful not to get aclidinium oral inhalation powder in your eyes. If you get the powder in your eyes, you may experience blurred vision and sensitivity to light.
The aclidinium oral inhalation device does not need to be cleaned. If you want to clean the device, you may wipe the outside of the mouthpiece with a dry tissue or paper towel. Never use water to clean the device because you might damage the medication.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription of aclidinium oral inhalation .
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
