Incruse Ellipta
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) is an long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). It's an inhaler used for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) is inhaled through the mouth once per day. People who use Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) typically don't experience too many side effects, but ones reported include common cold symptoms, like sore throat and cough.
What is Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium)?
What is Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) used for?
Maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults
How Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) works
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), a type of anticholinergic medication. It works by blocking a chemical called acetylcholine to relax the muscles in your airways.
Drug Facts
More on Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) essentials
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What are the side effects of Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium)?
Common Side Effects
- Common cold (8%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (5%)
- Cough (3%)
- Joint pain (2%)
Other Side Effects
- Sore throat
- Muscle pain
- Fast heart beat
Serious Side Effects
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, swelling of your face, lips, or tongue, difficulty breathing
- Sudden narrowing of your airways: difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest pain or tightness, cough
Source: DailyMed
The following 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
- Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
- Trouble passing urine
- Wheezing or trouble breathing that is worse after use
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Constipation
- Cough
- Dry mouth
- Headache
Pros and cons of Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium)
Pros
Inhaled once per day
Might be easier to use compared to some other dry powder inhalers
Can be stored at room temperature
Cons
Can't use if you're severely allergic to milk proteins because it contains lactose
Not a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems
Brand-name medication only
Pharmacist tips for Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium)
Take an inhalation of Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) at the same time once per day to prevent COPD attacks. You can take Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) at any time of the day.
If you have sudden trouble breathing, use your rescue inhaler. Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) won't treat a COPD attack as it's happening.
Call your pulmonologist if your breathing or peak flow meter results worsen. Also contact your pulmonologist if you're using your rescue inhaler more often than usual. These could be signs that you need another long-acting medication to help manage your COPD.
Let your prescriber know if you're taking other anticholinergic medications, such as tolterodine (Detrol) or hyoscyamine. They might consider switching you to a different medication because taking more than one anticholinergic raises your risk for side effects (e.g., dry mouth, constipation, trouble urinating).
Store Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) at room temperature in a dry place away from heat or sunlight. Keep unused inhalers in the original foil pouch.
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) expires in 6 weeks after you remove it from the foil tray. Write the expiration ("use by") date on the first blank line on the inhaler.
There's a dose counter on the front face of the Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) inhaler. It should say "30" for a new inhaler. Use this counter to keep track of when you need to get a refill.
You don't need to prime or shake the Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) inhaler before using it. Each time you open the cover of the inhaler, you're preparing 1 dose. Only open the cover of the inhaler if you're about to take a dose.
When you're ready to take your dose, slide the cover on the Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) inhaler until it clicks and hold it in a flat position, like a hamburger. Then, breathe out as long as you can. Then, without blocking the vent, place your lips firmly around the mouthpiece and take a long, steady, and deep breath.
After you inhale from the Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) inhaler, try to hold your breath for 3-4 seconds, or for as long as you comfortably can. This allows the medication to reach deep into your lungs.
Never wash the Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) inhaler with water or any liquid. Instead, clean the mouthpiece every once in a while by wiping it with a dry cloth. Just make sure you don't get water or moisture on or near the inhaler. Moisture can make the dry powder medication clump together and clog the inhaler.
Frequently asked questions about Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium)
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What are the risks and warnings for Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium)?
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) 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.
Not a rescue inhaler
Don't use Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) if you're experiencing trouble breathing because this medication won't provide immediate relief. Use a rescue inhaler, such as albuterol (Ventolin HFA), if you're having trouble breathing.
If you're using your rescue inhaler more often than usual, let your pulmonologist know because this could be a sign that your condition is getting worse. Don't use more doses Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) than recommended because this won't improve your breathing. Rather, this can raise your risk for serious side effects, such as heart problems, tremors, and dizziness.
Narrowing of your airways (bronchospasm)
Inhaled medications, including Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium), can sometimes cause a muscle spasm in your lungs. This can lead to difficulty breathing, wheezing, cough, and chest discomfort. If you have a hard time breathing after inhaling Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium), use your rescue inhaler and get medical attention right away.
Serious allergic reactions
Risk factors: Allergy to milk proteins (lactose)
Severe allergic reactions to Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Get medical attention right away if you notice hives, rash, red skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after using Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium).
Worsening narrow-angle glaucoma
Risk factors: Long-term use of Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) | History of glaucoma | History of high eye pressure
Although rare, Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) can raise the pressure in your eyes and worsen symptoms of glaucoma. Talk to your optometrist before using Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) if you have glaucoma because they might ask you to come in more often for eye exams. Also speak with them if you notice any changes to your vision while using the medication.
Trouble urinating
Risk factors: Enlarged prostate | Bladder-neck obstruction (blockage)
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) should be used cautiously by people who have prostate problems or urinary retention, because it can worsen this condition and lead to difficulty urinating. Contact your prescriber if you notice difficulty urinating while using this medication.
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 blisters of 62.5mcg | 1 inhaler | $358.41 | $358.41 |
Typical dosing for Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium)
Each inhalation of Incruse Ellipta delivers 62.5 mcg of umeclidinium.
Adults: The typical dosing is 1 inhalation by mouth once daily.
How much does Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) cost?
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) contraindications
Allergy to lactose or milk proteins
What are alternatives to Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium)?
Maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Asthma in people age 6 years and older - Spiriva Respimat only
Maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults
What is the latest news about Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium)?
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) images
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References
Best studies we foundAlagha, K., et al. (2014). Long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists for the treatment of chronic airway diseases. Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease.
American Lung Association. (2024). Measuring your peak flow rate.
Calverley, P. M. A., et al. (2017). Triple therapy in COPD: What we know and what we don't. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
GlaxoSmithKline LLC. (2023). Incruse Ellipta- umeclidinium aerosol, powder [package insert]. DailyMed.
Grant, A. C., et al. (2015). The ELLIPTA® dry powder inhaler: Design, functionality, in vitro dosing performance and critical task compliance by patients and caregivers. Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery.
Sam, C., et al. (2023). Physiology, acetylcholine. StatPearls.
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