glycopyrrolate
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) is an anticholinergic used to treat excessive drooling in children with certain conditions affecting the brain, such as cerebral palsy. The dosage that each child needs can vary. It comes as an oral solution and is available both as a brand-name and generic medications. Side effects include dry mouth, constipation, and sweating less.
What is Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate)?
What is Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) used for?
- Excessive drooling in children ages 3 to 16 with certain conditions affecting the brain
How Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) works
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) is an anticholinergic. It blocks a chemical called acetylcholine on salivary glands, where saliva is made and released into the mouth. While saliva can help with swallowing and chewing, too much can cause drooling. This is often seen in conditions that affect the brain, such as cerebral palsy.
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) helps manage this by lowering the amount of saliva that's made.
Drug facts
Side effects of Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth (40%)
- Vomiting (40%)
- Constipation (35%)
- Flushing (30%)
- Nasal congestion (30%)
- Headache (15%)
- Sinus inflammation (15%)
- Upper respiratory infection (15%)
- Difficulty urinating (15%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Stomach bloating
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Chapped lips
- Gas
- Feeling irritated or agitated
- Pneumonia
- Urinary tract infection
- Faster heart rate
- Dehydration
- Changes in taste
- Uncontrolled eye movement
- Restlessness
- Aggressive behavior
- Crying
- Moaning
- Mood changes
- Dry nose
- Dry skin
- Itching
- Rash
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Intestinal blockage: diarrhea, stomach pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting
- Serious allergic reaction: itchy red rash (hives), shortness of breath, chest tightness, swelling of lips, tongue, face, or eyes
More on Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) side effects
The following Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Bowel blockage—stomach cramping, unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas, loss of appetite, vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever that does not go away, decreased sweating
- Trouble passing urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Blurry vision
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Flushing
- Vomiting
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Pros and cons of Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate)
Pros
- Works well to treat severe drooling
- Convenient to prepare the dose
- Available in a liquid cherry flavor, making it easier for children to take
Cons
- Has many unpleasant anticholinergic side effects
- Needs to be taken multiple times per day
- Must be taken on an empty stomach
Pharmacist tips for Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate)
- Take Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) on an empty stomach, which is at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Food can lower the amount of medication that gets absorbed into the body, so it might not work as well.
- Use a dosing cup to measure out your child's dose of Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate). Then, using an oral syringe, draw up the dose from the cup and place it in your child's mouth. Avoid using a kitchen teaspoon, as it doesn't provide an accurate measurement.
- Constipation, a common side effect of Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate), typically happens within the first 4 to 5 days of starting the medication or after a dose is raised. If your child is constipated, stop the medication and let their pediatrician know because this could be a sign of a more serious stomach problem.
- Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) can sometimes cause difficulty urinating. Dry diapers or underwear, crying, and irritability can be signs that your child is having difficulty urinating. Stop the medication and call their pediatrician if your child isn't urinating.
- Try to keep your child away from hot environments when they are taking Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate). This medication can reduce sweating which can lead to overheating.
- Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) interacts with certain medications that might require dose adjustments (e.g. metformin (Glucophage), atenolol (Tenormin), haloperidol (Haldol)). Talk to a pharmacist or pediatrician before they start any new medications
- Store Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) at room temperature and out of reach from children to avoid potential overdose.
Common questions about Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate)
Probably not. In clinical studies, weight gain was not listed as a side effect for those taking Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate). If your child is gaining weight after taking this medication, talk to their pediatrician.
It takes 12 to 15 hours for most of Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) to leave your body after a single dose. This time frame is estimated based on the half-life of Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate).
Although it does take about 3 hours for the body to fully absorb Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate), how long it lasts depends on many things. But what's important is that for the medication to work well, your child will need to take it 3 times a day. Talk to your child's pediatrician if you have questions about this medication.
In clinical studies, Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) started working to reduce drooling in children as early as 4 weeks. Keep in mind that everyone is different. In some instances, it might take at least 8 weeks for it to work fully. Discuss with your child's pediatrician about how long this medication is expected to work for your child.
Probably not. Hair loss wasn't reported as a side effect in clinical studies of people taking Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate). If your child is experiencing hair loss after taking this medication, let their pediatrician know.
Yes. Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) belongs to a class of medications called anticholinergics.
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) has only been studied in children ages 3 to 16. Because there aren't any studies in children under age 3, discuss the risks and benefits of using Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) with your child's pediatrician.
Although they contain the same active ingredient (glycopyrrolate) they are approved for different uses. Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) is an oral solution used to treat excessive drooling in children ages 3 to 16 with certain conditions that affect the brain. Robinul (glycopyrrolate) is a tablet used as an add-on treatment for stomach ulcers and can't be used in children under the age of 12. Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) and glycopyrrolate (Robinul) can't be substituted for each other because they are available in different dosage forms and contain different amounts of glycopyrrolate.
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Risks and warnings for Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate)
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Constipation
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that cause constipation
Constipation is a common side effect of Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate), especially within the first 4 to 5 days of starting the medication and after a dose is raised. If your child complains of constipation, stomach pain, swelling, nausea, and vomiting, stop Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) and tell their pediatrician because this could be a sign of intestinal pseudo-obstruction (a rare condition that prevents your intestinal muscles from moving).
Blockage in the intestine
- Risk factors: History of surgical procedures of the intestines, such as ileostomy or colostomy
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) can cause blockage in the intestine. Diarrhea can be an early sign of this blockage, especially if your child has a history of surgical procedures in the intestines, like an ileostomy or colostomy. If your child has diarrhea, stop Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) and let their pediatrician know.
Heat stroke or fever
- Risk factors: Hot weather | Strenuous activity or exercise | Taking other anticholinergic medications
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) can cause your child to sweat less, which can lead to fever or heat strokes in hot weather. To avoid overheating, have your child cool down and rest in the shade, drink cold water, and take breaks while running around or playing. Call their pediatrician right away if your child becomes sick, less alert, passes out, or has any other symptoms of heatstroke, such as hot and red skin, fast heartbeat, difficulty breathing, or fever.
Sleepiness or blurred vision
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that cause sleepiness or blurred vision
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) can cause sleepiness or blurred vision. Don’t let your child do any activities that require concentration until you know how Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) affects your child.
Worsening of other health conditions
Some health conditions can worsen if your child takes Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate). For example, if your child has heart problems, be careful when giving this medication because it can raise their heart rate.
If your child has an inflamed colon (ulcerative colitis), higher doses of Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) can slow their stomach and intestinal muscles, which can lead to life-threatening conditions of the intestine. Talk to their pediatrician if you’re concerned about certain worsening conditions for your child.
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) dosage
Bottle of oral solution| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 473ml of 1mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $70.84 | $70.84 |
Typical dosage for Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate)
The dosing is based on your child's weight.
The typical starting dose is 0.02 mg/kg by mouth three times daily. Your child's pediatrician will slowly raise the dose every 5 to 7 days, depending on how well the medication is working and if your child experiences side effects.
The maximum dose is 0.1 mg/kg three times daily, with no doses greater than 1.5 to 3 mg per dose based on weight.
How much does Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) cost?
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) will not be safe for you to take.
- Taking oral potassium chloride
- Glaucoma
- Loss of movement in the intestinal muscles (paralytic ileus)
- Unstable heart during serious blood loss
- Inflammation of the intestines (ulcerative colitis)
- Life-threatening inflammation of the colon (toxic megacolon)
- Abnormal muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)
What are alternatives to Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate)?
Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) images
