Incruse ellipta inhaler contains the active ingredient umeclidinium, which is a type of medicine known as an antimuscarinic or anticholinergic bronchodilator. It works by opening the airways to make it easier to breathe.

What is it used for?

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • This inhaler is used regularly on a daily basis to help keep the airways open.

How does it work?

  • Incruse ellipta inhaler contains the active ingredient umeclidinium, which is a type of medicine known as an antimuscarinic or anticholinergic bronchodilator. It works by opening the airways to make it easier to breathe.
  • Umeclidinium works in the lungs, where it blocks receptors called muscarinic receptors that are found on the muscle surrounding the airways.
A natural body chemical called acetylcholine normally acts on these receptors, causing the muscle in the airways to contract and the airways to narrow.
  • In chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD), such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema, the airways are narrowed, and this makes breathing difficult.
  • Umeclidinium blocks the muscarinic receptors in the lungs and therefore stops the action of acetylcholine on them. This allows the muscle around the airways to relax and the airways to open. This makes it easier for people with COPD to breathe.
  • Umeclidinium is taken using an inhaler device. Inhaling the medicine allows it to act directly in the lungs where it is needed most. It also reduces the potential for side effects in other parts of the body, as the amount absorbed into the blood through the lungs is lower than if it is taken by mouth.
  • How do I use it?

    • Make sure you read the information leaflet provided with your inhaler, as this will give detailed instructions on how to use and look after your inhaler.
    • One dose should be inhaled from Incruse ellipta inhaler once a day, every day, even when you don't have symptoms. You can use the inhaler either in the morning or evening, but you should always use it at the same time each day. The effect of each inhalation lasts for 24 hours.
    • A dose counter on the inhaler indicates how many doses are left in the inhaler.
    • Do not shake the inhaler before using it.
    • To use the inhaler you first need to prepare a dose for inhalation. To do this simply open the cover of the inhaler and slide it down until you hear a click; this shows that there is one dose ready to be inhaled. If you do not hear a click or the counter does not count down one dose, this means that there is no dose ready for inhalation. You should ask your pharmacist for advice.
    • Before you inhale the prepared dose you should breath out as much as is comfortably possible first. You should not breathe out into the inhaler. Then put the inhaler mouthpiece between your lips and close your lips firmly around it, ensuring that the air vents are not blocked by your fingers. Take one long deep breath in and hold your breath for as long as possible (at least three to four seconds). Then remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly and gently.
    • The inhaler mouthpiece should be cleaned with a dry tissue if necessary and the cover replaced.
    • If the cover is closed without inhaling the medicine, then the prepared single dose of medicine is lost.
    • If you forget to take a dose at your usual time don't worry, just take your next dose when it is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. You should use your reliever inhaler (see below) if you have any breathing problems before your next dose of Incruse ellipta is due.
    • You should not suddenly stop using this inhaler, even if you don't currently have any symptoms, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. This is because stopping treatment is likely to make your symptoms come back.

    Use with caution in

    • People with severely decreased liver function.
    • People who have difficulty passing urine, for example men with an enlarged prostate gland or people with an obstruction of the bladder.
    • Closed angle glaucoma.
    • People with a history of heart disease, such as heart failure, heart attack, angina or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).
    • People with high blood pressure.

    Not to be used in

    • People with asthma.
    • People with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption (Incruse ellipta inhaler contains lactose).
    • The safety and effectiveness of this medicine in children under 18 years of age has not been established. It is not currently recommended for this age group.
    • This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

    If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

    Pregnancy and breastfeeding

    Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

    • The safety of this inhaler for use during pregnancy has not been established by the manufacturer. As it contains a new medicine, it should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risks to the developing baby. Tell your doctor straight away if you think you could be pregnant while using this medicine.
    • In general, inhalers can be used as normal during breastfeeding, because the amount of medicine that passes into the breast milk after using an inhaler is negligible and unlikely to harm the baby. However, it is not known to what extent the medicine in this inhaler passes into breast milk. Since it contains a new medicine the manufacturer states that it should be avoided in women who are breastfeeding. Ask your doctor for further advice.

    Side effects

    Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

    Common

    • Inflammation of the nose and throat, causing a blocked or runny nose and sore throat (nasopharyngitis).
    • Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis).
    • Infection of the upper respiratory tract.
    • Infection in the urinary tract.
    • Faster than normal heartbeat (tachycardia).
    • Cough.
    • Headache.

    Uncommon

    • Sore and inflamed throat (pharyngitis).
    • Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation).
    • Constipation.
    • Rash.
    • Dry mouth.

    The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.

    For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

    How can this medicine affect other medicines?

    It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while using this one, to make sure that the combination is safe.

    This medicine has not been studied in combination with other anticholinergic medicines such as those below, and these are therefore not recommended while you are using this medicine:

    • aclidinium
    • ipratropium
    • oxitropium
    • tiotropium.

    If you experience a dry mouth as a side effect of this medicine you may find that medicines that are designed to dissolve and be absorbed from under the tongue, eg sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) tablets for angina, become less effective. This is because the tablets do not dissolve properly in a dry mouth. To resolve this, drink a mouthful of water before taking sublingual tablets.

    References:

    http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/lungs/a8938/incruse-ellipta-umeclidinium/

    http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/16022/SPC/Incruse+55+micrograms+inhalation+powder,+pre-dispensed/

    https://www.incruse.com

    https://public.gsk.ie/products/incruse.html

    https://www.drugs.com/incruse-ellipta.html

    https://www.rxlist.com/incruse-ellipta-side-effects-drug-center.htm
     

    Health Reference: Asthma, COPD