Lonhala Magnair
Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) is an inhalation solution used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. It's typically used in addition to a rescue inhaler, such as albuterol, to control coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Although it works well for long-term treatment of COPD, it can be expensive.
What is Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate)?
What is Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) used for?
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
How Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) works
Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) belongs to a group of medications known as anticholinergics (or antimuscarinics), which block a chemical called acetylcholine in your lungs. Acetylcholine causes narrowing of your airways, making it difficult to breathe. By blocking acetylcholine, Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) relaxes the muscles in your lungs and opens your airways, making it easier for you to breathe.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Lonhala Magnair |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Anticholinergic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Lonhala Magnair (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
- Shortness of breath (5%)
- Urinary tract infection (2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Wheezing
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Common cold
- Swelling of arms or legs
- Tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Sinus infection
- Back pain
- Headache
- Cough
- Sore throat
- High blood pressure
Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Paradoxical bronchospasm: worsened coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, chest tightness, tiredness, dizziness
- Allergic reaction: itchy red rash (hives), shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, chest tightness, swelling of lips, tongue, or face
- Narrow-angle glaucoma: eye pain or redness, blurred vision, seeing halos, nausea, vomiting
Pros and cons of Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate)
Pros
- Safe to use long-term to manage common symptoms of COPD, such as shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing
- Deep breaths aren't required during treatments so you can breathe normally
- Device provides quiet treatments
- Small, portable device with a carrying case that makes it easy to do treatments anywhere
Cons
- Only available as a brand medication, so it can be expensive
- Needs to be used twice a day
- Must take device apart to clean all of the parts before the first use and after each treatment
- Must assemble device before each treatment
Pharmacist tips for Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate)
- Clean your Magnair device before the first use and after each treatment. If it's not cleaned properly, treatments can take longer than 3 minutes. Only use warm water and clear liquid dishwashing soap to wash your device. All washed parts should be air dried on a lint-free towel. For further guidance, read the Instructions for Use or watch the instructional video.
- Store Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) vials at room temperature in the sealed foil pouch. Only open the foil pouch right when you're ready to use Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate). Store any unused vials in the open pouch until your next treatment, and throw them away after 7 days.
- Remember to throw away your old Handset parts after every 60 treatments. You'll get a Refill Kit every month with 60 medication vials and 1 Magnair Replacement Handset (Medication cap, Mouthpiece, Handset body, and Aerosol head).
It's important to read the Instructions For Use or watch the instructional videos before using Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) to make sure you use it correctly.
- Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) device can be used with AA batteries or an AC adaptor. It’s recommended that you always have an extra set of batteries in case you can’t use the adapter.
- To assemble the Handset, wash your hands and open the top of the Handset. Insert the aerosol head into the Handset, making sure not to touch the center of the aerosol head. When you close the Handset, you might hear a ‘click’. Then, attach the mouthpiece to the Handset. Finally, connect the Controller to the Handset.
- To add medication, insert one vial into the bottom of the medication cap until you hear a 'click'. To attach the medication cap to the Handset, turn the cap clockwise until you hear a 'click'.
- To start your treatment, place the mouthpiece into your mouth, then turn on the Controller. Breathe in and out normally through the mouthpiece. At the end of your treatment, you'll hear a beeping sound, and the Controller will automatically shut off.
Risks and warnings for Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate)
Lonhala Magnair (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.
Sudden worsening of COPD symptoms
- Risk factors: Viral or bacterial infections | Smoking cigarettes | Air pollution
Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) shouldn't be used if you're having sudden worsening of COPD symptoms, or an exacerbation. These can sometimes be life-threatening and can quickly worsen over a few hours or over several days. If your COPD symptoms worsen and you're using your rescue inhaler, like albuterol, more often than before, discuss with your healthcare provider because you might need to switch to a different medication. Don't use extra doses of Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) during these sudden situations. If you have shortness of breath, more coughing or wheezing than usual, swollen legs, more mucus or changes in your mucus, trouble sleeping, chest pain, or confusion, call for emergency help right away.
Narrowing of the airways (paradoxical bronchospasm)
- Risk factors: Using inhaled medications for asthma or COPD
Inhaled medications, such as Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate), can sometimes cause narrowing of the airways (paradoxical bronchospasm). This results in worsened breathing and wheezing. Treat these symptoms right away with a short-acting rescue inhaler, like albuterol. Stop using Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) and call your healthcare provider because you might need to switch to a different medication. In some severe cases, paradoxical bronchospasm can be life-threatening. If your breathing isn't improving, get emergency help right away.
Eye problems (narrow-angle glaucoma)
- Risk factors: History of narrow-angle glaucoma
Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) should be used carefully in people who have narrow-angle glaucoma, a condition causing high pressure in the eye. If it's not treated, it can lead to permanent vision loss. If you have eye pain or redness, blurred vision, or you're seeing halos, let your healthcare provider know right away.
Difficulty urinating
- Risk factors: Taking medications that cause urinary retention | Conditions such as prostatic hyperplasia or bladder-neck obstruction
Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) can cause difficulty urinating, especially if you have an enlarged prostate (prostatic hyperplasia) or a blockage in your bladder (bladder-neck obstruction). If you're having trouble passing urine or experiencing pain while urinating, let your healthcare provider know.
Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate) dosage
Typical dosage for Lonhala Magnair (glycopyrrolate)
The typical dose is one vial (25 mcg solution) inhaled by mouth twice daily.
