Glycopyrronium+indacaterol
About Glycopyrronium+indacaterol
Glycopyrronium+indacaterol is a daily inhalation medicine used for the long-term maintenance treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in adults. It helps to keep the airways in your lungs open, making it much easier to breathe and reducing daily chest tightness. This medication is not a rescue inhaler and should not be used to treat sudden attacks of breathlessness.
To get the most benefit, you must take Glycopyrronium+indacaterol consistently every single day at the same time, even on days when you feel perfectly fine. Since it is inhaled directly into the lungs, it can be taken with or without food. Combining this daily routine with gentle physical activity, avoiding smoke, and practicing breathing exercises can significantly improve your overall lung capacity and daily comfort.
While Glycopyrronium+indacaterol is highly effective, some people may experience mild side effects like dry mouth, a sore throat, or a mild cough. However, if you experience serious symptoms such as sudden difficulty breathing right after inhaling, swelling of the face, or a rapid heart rate, you should stop using the medicine and contact your doctor immediately.
Do not take this if you have a known allergy to any of the ingredients in this medicine, or if you have asthma without using other long-term controller medicines. Before starting Glycopyrronium+indacaterol, talk to your doctor if you suffer from narrow-angle glaucoma, prostate problems, urinary retention, kidney disease, or heart problems, as these conditions require extra care.
This medicine can interact with other drugs like beta-blockers (often used for high blood pressure) or other bronchodilators, which may reduce its effectiveness or increase side effects. Additionally, if you are pregnant, planning to breastfeed, or are an elderly individual, please consult your doctor before starting treatment.
Uses of Glycopyrronium+indacaterol
Medicinal Benefits
Glycopyrronium+indacaterol is a combination bronchodilator used for the long-term maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps keep the airways open, making breathing easier and improving overall lung function.
- Improves Breathing: Relaxes and widens the airways, helping reduce shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness associated with COPD.
- Provides Long-Lasting Airway Control: Offers sustained bronchodilation throughout the day to help maintain easier breathing and reduce daily respiratory symptoms.
- Enhances Daily Activities: Better airflow may help improve exercise tolerance and make routine activities more comfortable with less breathlessness.
- Reduces COPD Flare-Ups: Regular use may help reduce the frequency of COPD exacerbations and decrease the need for rescue medication.
- Supports Better Quality of Life: By improving lung function and symptom control, it helps promote better sleep, increased physical activity, and overall well-being.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safe and effective use.
- Check the label for directions before using it. Place the capsule in the inhaler device, press both side buttons at the same time until you hear a sound to pierce the capsule. Release side buttons. Place the mouthpiece into your mouth and seal your lips around it. Inhale deeply through the mouthpiece.
- Glycopyrronium+indacaterol is for inhalation only. Do not swallow the capsules.
- The capsules must always be stored in the blister, and only removed immediately before use.
- The capsules are for use only with the inhaler provided in the pack.
- Discard inhaler after 30 days of use.
Storage
Side Effects of Glycopyrronium+indacaterol
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat, runny nose, or mild cough
- Mild dizziness or headache
- Muscle pain or spasms
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Sudden chest tightness, wheezing, or difficulty breathing immediately after inhalation
- Severe eye pain, blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights
- Difficulty passing urine or painful urination
- A fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, or a severe skin rash
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Do not swallow the capsules: The capsules are made exclusively for oral inhalation using the provided device. Swallowing them orally will prevent the medicine from reaching your lungs and making it work.
- Clean your device without water: Clean the mouthpiece of your inhaler once a week with a dry, clean cloth or tissue. Never wash the device with water, as any leftover moisture can ruin the dry inhalation powder inside the capsules.
- Rinse and spit: Always rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after your daily dose to lower the risk of developing a fungal mouth infection (thrush).
- Do not use for sudden attacks: Keep your fast-acting rescue inhaler with you at all times. Glycopyrronium+indacaterol is a long-term controller and will not provide immediate relief during a sudden, acute asthma or COPD attack.
- Inspect before use: Ensure the capsule is dry, intact, and not crushed before loading it into your inhaler. Discard any damaged capsules.
Drug Interactions
Glycopyrronium+indacaterol may interact with certain medicines, affecting its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
- Beta-blockers (such as certain blood pressure or glaucoma eye drops): May severely decrease the airway-opening effects of Glycopyrronium+indacaterol and can cause your airways to narrow suddenly.
- Other anticholinergic medicines: Taking Glycopyrronium+indacaterol alongside other drugs in this class can increase your risk of severe dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and difficulty urinating.
- Diuretics (water tablets): When taken together, these may cause a drop in your blood potassium levels, which can increase the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Glycopyrronium+indacaterol as it might increase side effects like dizziness, drowsiness or impaired coordination.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if are pregnant or planning pregnancy before using Glycopyrronium+indacaterol.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if are a breastfeeding mother before using Glycopyrronium+indacaterol.
Driving
cautionGlycopyrronium+indacaterol may cause dizziness. Drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have liver impairment/liver disease or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeGlycopyrronium+indacaterol is not recommended for children and adolescents below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid all tobacco smoke: Stop smoking and stay away from environments with secondhand smoke, dust, or heavy pollution, as these factors irritate your airways and reverse the benefits of your medication.
- Keep well hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help thin the mucus in your lungs, making it much easier to clear when coughing.
- Eat smaller, frequent meals: Large meals can cause bloating in your stomach, which pushes up against your diaphragm and makes breathing more difficult. Opt for five or six small, nutrient-rich meals instead.
- Practice pursed-lip breathing: Incorporate controlled breathing exercises into your daily routine to help empty your lungs of stale air and reduce overall shortness of breath.
- Stay active: Engage in moderate, doctor-approved physical activities like daily walking to keep your breathing muscles and cardiovascular system strong.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). In COPD, the muscles around the airways tighten, making it difficult to breathe. The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing (a whistling sound while breathing).
FAQs
Glycopyrronium+indacaterol is used to treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Glycopyrronium+indacaterol contains Indacaterol and Glycopyrronium. Indacaterol relaxes and widens the openings in the airways, making it easier for the air to get in and out of the lungs. Glycopyrronium decreases the secretions in the airways. Together, Glycopyrronium+indacaterol provides relief from COPD.
Glycopyrronium+indacaterol is indicated as an ongoing treatment for COPD. It does not treat a sudden attack of wheezing or breathlessness. Use a rescue inhaler to treat sudden breathing problems.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Glycopyrronium+indacaterol. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol; drinking water regularly and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might help in stimulating saliva and thereby prevents drying of the mouth.
Do not stop using Glycopyrronium+indacaterol on your own as it might cause worsening of symptoms. To treat your condition effectually, continue using Glycopyrronium+indacaterol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. Talk to your doctor if your breathing problems, wheezing, or cough do not improve or worsen.
No, Glycopyrronium+indacaterol is not indicated for the treatment of asthma as the safety and effectiveness of Glycopyrronium+indacaterol in patients with asthma have not been established. Consult your doctor if you have asthma.
If you swallow a capsule, the medicine will not hurt your stomach, but it will not help your breathing because it must be inhaled into the lungs to work. Do not take another capsule immediately to make up for it; simply wait and take your normal inhaled dose the next day. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you feel unwell.
Glycopyrronium+indacaterol can occasionally cause a temporary increase in heart rate or blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure or heart problems, your doctor will monitor you closely while you are using this medication. Talk to your doctor if you notice your heart pounding or if you feel dizzy.
Clean the mouthpiece of your device once a week by wiping it thoroughly with a dry, lint-free cloth or tissue. Never use water, soap, or wet wipes to clean the device, as any moisture inside the chamber will ruin the dry powder capsules. Talk to your pharmacist if you are unsure how to clean it.
The safety of Glycopyrronium+indacaterol during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been fully established. It should only be used if your doctor decides the benefits to you clearly outweigh the potential risks to your baby. If you are pregnant or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor before starting this medicine.
Some beta-blockers can block the airway-opening effects of Glycopyrronium+indacaterol, causing your breathing to worsen. It is very important that your doctor knows all the medicines you are currently taking, including heart medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find a safe combination of treatments.
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