Uses
Umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation is used to control wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; a group of diseases that affect the lungs and airways, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Umeclidinium is in a class of medications called anticholinergics. Vilanterol is in a class of medications called long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs). These medications work by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.
Side Effects Of Umeclidinium and Vilanterol Oral Inhalation
Umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- shaking of a part of your body that you cannot control
- nervousness
- runny nose, sore throat
- constipation
- diarrhea
- pain in your arms or legs
- muscle spasms
- neck pain
- back pain
- joint pain
- abdominal pain
- headache
- nausea
- dizziness
- toothache
Some side effects of umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using umeclidinium and vilanterol and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue
- pounding, fast, or irregular heartbeat
- chest pain
- eye pain, redness, or discomfort; blurred vision; seeing halos or bright colors around lights, sometimes along with nausea and vomiting
- difficulty urinating or urinating in a weak stream or drips
- frequent or painful urination
Umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication
Warnings & Precautions
Before using umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to umeclidinium, vilanterol, any other medications, milk protein, or any of the ingredients in umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor if you use another LABA such as arformoterol (Brovana), formoterol (Perforomist, in Bevespi Aerosphere, Duaklir Pressair, Dulera, Symbicort), indacaterol (Arcapta), olodaterol (Striverdi Respimat, in Stiolto Respimat), or salmeterol (Serevent, in Advair). Your doctor will tell you which medication you should use and which medication you should stop using.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take with umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation. Be sure to mention any of the following: antifungals such as itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, and voriconazole (Vfend); antihistamines; atropine; beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal, Innopran); clarithromycin; conivaptan (Vaprisol); diuretics (‘water pills’); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (in Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Invirase); other medications for COPD including aclidinium (Tudorza Pressair), ipratropium (Atrovent HFA), and tiotropium (Spiriva); medications for irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, ulcers, or urinary problems; and nefazodone. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or have stopped taking them during the past 2 weeks: antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Silenor, Zonalon), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone); anagrelide (Agrylin); chloroquine; chlorpromazine; cilostazol; ciprofloxacin (Cipro); citalopram (Celexa); clarithromycin; disopyramide (Norpace); dofetilide (Tikosyn); donepezil (Aricept); dronedarone (Multaq); escitalopram (Lexapro); flecainide (Tambocor); fluconazole (Diflucan); haloperidol (Haldol); ibutilide (Corvert); levofloxacin; methadone (Dolophine, Methadose); moxifloxacin (Avelox); ondansetron (Zuplenz, Zofran); pentamidine (Pentam); pimozide (Orap); procainamide; quinidine (in Nuedexta); sotalol (Betapace, Sorine, Sotylize); thioridazine; and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Many other medications may also interact with umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have asthma. Your doctor will tell you not to use umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation unless you are using it along with an inhaled steroid medication.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, QT prolongation (an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to fainting, loss of consciousness, seizures, or sudden death), seizures, diabetes, glaucoma (an eye disease), urinary retention (difficulty urinating), prostate or bladder problems, or heart, thyroid, or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation, call your doctor.
- you should know that umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation sometimes causes wheezing and difficulty breathing immediately after it is inhaled. If this happens, call your doctor right away. Do not use umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation again unless your doctor tells you that you should.
Dosage Of Umeclidinium and Vilanterol Oral Inhalation
The combination of umeclidinium and vilanterol comes as a powder to inhale by mouth using a special inhaler. It is usually inhaled once a day. Inhale umeclidinium and vilanterol at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not use umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation to treat sudden attacks of COPD. Your doctor will prescribe a short-acting beta-agonist medication such as albuterol (Accuneb, Proair, Proventil, Ventolin) to use during attacks. If you were using this type of medication on a regular basis before you began treatment with umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation, your doctor will probably tell you to stop using it regularly but to continue to use it to treat attacks.
Umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation should not be used to treat COPD that is quickly getting worse. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if your breathing problems worsen, if you have to use your short-acting inhaler to treat attacks of COPD more often, or if your short-acting inhaler does not relieve your symptoms.
Umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation controls COPD but does not cure it. Continue to use umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation even if you feel well. Do not stop using umeclidinium and vilanterol without talking to your doctor. If you stop using umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation, your symptoms may get worse.
Before you use umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation for the first time, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use the inhaler. Practice using your inhaler while he or she watches.
To use the umeclidinium and vilanterol inhaler, follow these steps:
- If you will be using a new inhaler for the first time, remove it from the box and the foil tray. Fill in the “Tray opened” and “Discard” blanks on the inhaler label with the date that you opened the tray and the date 6 weeks later when you must replace the inhaler.
- When you are ready to inhale your dose of umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation, slide the cover down to expose the mouthpiece until it clicks. If you open and close the inhaler without using your dose, you will waste the medication.
- The counter will count down by 1 each time you open the cover. If the counter does not count down, your inhaler will not provide the medicine. If your inhaler does not count down, call your pharmacist or doctor.
- Hold the umeclidinium and vilanterol inhaler away from your mouth and breathe out as far as you comfortably can. Do not breathe out into the mouthpiece.
- Put the mouthpiece between your lips, and close your lips firmly around it. Take a long, steady, deep breath in through your mouth. Do not breathe in through your nose. Be careful not to block the air vent with your fingers.
- Remove the inhaler from your mouth, and hold your breath for about 3 to 4 seconds or as long as you comfortably can. Breathe out slowly.
- You may or may not taste or feel the medicine released by the inhaler. Even if you do not, do not inhale another dose. If you are not sure you are getting your dose of umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation, call your doctor or pharmacist.
- You may clean the mouthpiece with dry tissue if needed. Slide the cover-up over the mouthpiece as far as it will go to close the inhaler.
- Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Before having any laboratory test (especially those that involve methylene blue), tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are using umeclidinium and vilanterol oral inhalation.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
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.
