Incruse Ellipta (Umeclidinium 62.5mcg)

Incruse Ellipta general information

What is Incruse Ellipta used for?

Incruse Ellipta 62.5mcg inhalation powder is used for the long-term maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes obstruction of airflow in the bronchioles (small airways in the lungs) and includes other obstructive airways disease, like chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.  Incruse Ellipta contains a powder that when inhaled relieves symptoms caused by bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways), such as shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness of the chest and chronic cough with phlegm (mucus) production.  Incruse Ellipta 62.5mcg can be used to reduce the frequency of exacerbations and improve exercise tolerance and health-related quality of life, but does not cure COPD, which is a non-reversible progressive disease, unlike asthma, in which bronchospasm is usually reversible.  Incruse Ellipta should not be used as rescue therapy for short-term symptom relief of acute bronchospasm and is not suitable for treatment of asthma.

How does Incruse Ellipta work?

Incruse Ellipta 62.5mcg contains umeclidinium, a rapid, long-acting anticholinergic that acts on specific muscarinic receptors in the bronchioles of the lung.  Umeclidinium in Incruse Ellipta is an inhalation powder that works by binding to the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on smooth muscle of the airways and competitively inhibiting the binding of acetylcholine to these receptors.  This action of Umeclidinium in Incruse Ellipta inhibits muscle contraction of the airway wall (bronchospasm) caused by acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger of the nervous system).  Umeclidinium in Incruse Ellipta causes the smooth muscle in the airway walls to relax, which allows the airways to dilate (widen) and increases air flow into the lungs to relieve bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways).  Incruse Ellipta is effective within 15 minutes and last for 24 hours, so that it is suitable for once-daily use. 

What does Incruse Ellipta contain?

Incruse Ellipta contains the active ingredient umeclidinium bromide 62.5mcg (as an inhalation powder), a long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator that is used to relieve symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  It also contains lactose monohydrate (which contains milk protein) and magnesium stearate.  Incruse Ellipta inhaler contains 30 doses and each dose delivers 62.5mcg of umeclidinium bromide powder per inhalation.

Treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with Incruse Ellipta

Incruse Ellipta 62.5mcg contains umeclidinium, a rapid, long-acting anticholinergic that is used for is used for the long-term maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a chronic progressive inflammatory disease of the airways that causes obstruction of airflow in the bronchioles (small airways in the lungs) resulting in non-reversible bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways).  Umeclidinium in Incruse Ellipta is an inhalation powder that works by binding to the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on smooth muscle of the airways and competitively inhibiting the binding of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger of the nervous system that causes muscle contraction of the airway wall (bronchospasm).  This action of umeclidinium in Incruse Ellipta causes the smooth muscle in the airway walls to relax, which allows the airways to dilate (widen) and increases air flow into the lungs to relieve bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways).  Incruse Ellipta relieves symptoms of COPD, including shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness of the chest and chronic cough with phlegm (mucus) production.  

What are the side effects of Incruse Ellipta?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Incruse Ellipta 62.5mcg include, cough, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), sinusitis, nasopharyngitis (inflammation and swelling of the nasal passages and the back of the throat), upper respiratory tract infection, change in sense of taste (dysgeusia), urinary tract infection.

When should Incruse Ellipta not be used?

You should not use Incruse Ellipta 62.5mcg if you:

• are allergic to umeclidinium or any ingredients in Incruse Ellipta
• have a severe allergy to milk proteins 
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have heart problems, particularly irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias)
• have asthma as Incruse Ellipta is not intended as a treatment for asthma
• have glaucoma, or urinary problems due to enlarged prostate
• are taking medicines that interact with Incruse Ellipta including other anticholinergic drugs like tiotropium, ipratropium and atropine

How should Incruse Ellipta be taken?

You should take your Incruse Ellipta 62.5mcg Inhaler once daily by taking one puff per day at the same time each day and follow the instructions provided.  You should continue to take your Incruse Ellipta every day for as long as your doctor recommends, which may be long term.  

How long should you take Incruse Ellipta?

You should continue to take your Incruse Ellipta 62.5mcg every day for as long as your doctor recommends, which may be long term.  

Missed dose of Incruse Ellipta

If you miss a dose of Incruse Ellipta 62.5mcg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Incruse Ellipta be stored?

You should store your Incruse Ellipta 62.5mcg below 30°C and if stored in the refrigerator, allow the inhaler to return to room temperature for at least one hour before use.