Uses
Umeclidinium oral inhalation is used in adults 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, that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Umeclidinium inhalation is in a class of medications called anticholinergics. It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.
Side Effects Of Umeclidinium Oral Inhalation
Umeclidinium may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- joint or muscle pain
- runny nose, sore throat
- cough
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using umeclidinium and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue
- coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness that begins after you inhale umeclidinium
- 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
- fast or irregular heartbeat
Umeclidinium may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before using umeclidinium:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to umeclidinium, any other medications, milk protein, or any of the ingredients in umeclidinium inhalation. Ask your pharmacist or check the Patient Information for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other 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; other medications for COPD including aclidinium (Tudorza Pressair), ipratropium (Atrovent HFA), and tiotropium (Spiriva); or medications for irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, ulcers, or urinary problems. 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 (an eye disease), prostate or bladder problems, or heart disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using umeclidinium, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using umeclidinium.
Dosage Of Umeclidinium Oral Inhalation
Umeclidinium comes as a powder to inhale by mouth using a special inhaler. It is usually inhaled once a day. Inhale umeclidinium 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 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 inhalation during a sudden COPD attack. Your doctor will prescribe a short-acting (rescue) inhaler to use during COPD attacks.
Umeclidinium 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 inhalation controls COPD but does not cure it. Continue to use umeclidinium even if you feel well. Do not stop using umeclidinium without talking to your doctor. If you stop using umeclidinium inhalation, your symptoms may get worse.
Before you use umeclidinium 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 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, 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 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, 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.
Do not let anyone else use 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.
