Uses
This product is used to control and prevent symptoms (such as wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Controlling symptoms of breathing problems helps you maintain your normal activities and decreases time lost from work or school. This inhaler contains 3 medications: budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol. Budesonide works by reducing the irritation and swelling of the airways. Budesonide belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. Glycopyrrolate and formoterol work by relaxing the muscles around the airways so that they open up and you can breathe more easily. Glycopyrrolate belongs to a class of drugs known as anticholinergics. Formoterol belongs to the class of drugs known as long-acting beta agonists (LABAs). Both drugs are also known as bronchodilators.
This medication must be used regularly to be effective. It does not work right away and should not be used to relieve sudden breathing problems. If sudden shortness of breath occurs, use your quick-relief inhaler as prescribed.
This medication is not approved to treat asthma.
How To Use
Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use if available from your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Follow the instructions for priming the inhaler if you are using it for the first time, if you have not used it for a week or more, if you dropped the inhaler, or if you put the canister back into the inhaler after cleaning. When priming the inhaler, make sure to spray away from your face so that you do not get the medication into your eyes.
Shake the inhaler well before using. Inhale this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily (in the morning and in the evening). Wait at least 1 minute between inhalations.
To prevent dry mouth, hoarseness, and oral yeast infections from developing, gargle, rinse your mouth with water and spit out after each use. Do not swallow the rinse water.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.
Do not increase your dose, use this medication more often, or stop using it without first consulting your doctor. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.
If you are using other inhalers at the same time, wait at least 1 minute between the use of each medication.
If you are regularly using a different corticosteroid taken by mouth (such as prednisone), you should not stop using it unless directed by your doctor. You may have withdrawal symptoms if the drug is suddenly stopped. Some conditions (such as asthma, allergies) may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. To prevent withdrawal symptoms (such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, muscle pain, headache, tiredness, dizziness), your doctor may direct you to slowly lower the dose of your old medication after you begin using this product. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions right away. See also Precautions section.
If you have been using a quick-relief inhaler (such as albuterol, also called salbutamol in some countries) on a regular daily schedule (such as 4 times daily), you must stop this schedule and only use the quick-relief inhaler as needed for sudden shortness of breath. Consult your doctor for details.
Learn which of your inhalers you should use every day and which you should use if your breathing suddenly worsens (quick-relief drugs). Ask your doctor ahead of time what you should do if you have new or worsening cough or shortness of breath, wheezing, increased sputum, waking up at night with trouble breathing, if you use your quick-relief inhaler more often, or if your quick-relief inhaler does not seem to be working well. Learn when you can treat sudden breathing problems by yourself and when you must get medical help right away.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.
Side Effects
Dry/irritated throat, hoarseness, or coughing may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.
Rarely, this medication may cause sudden severe wheezing/trouble breathing right after you use it. If this occurs, use your quick-relief inhaler and get medical help right away.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
- white patches on tongue/in mouth
- signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever)
- difficult/painful urination
- muscle cramps/weakness
- increased thirst/urination
- bone pain
- mental/mood changes (such as nervousness)
- shaking (tremors)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:
- chest pain
- fast/irregular heartbeat
- severe dizziness
- fainting
- eye pain/swelling/redness
- vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night, blurred vision)
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to budesonide, glycopyrrolate, or formoterol; or to arformoterol; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- current/past infections (such as tuberculosis, herpes)
- heart problems (such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat)
- high blood pressure
- seizures
- bone loss (osteoporosis)
- eye problems (such as cataracts, glaucoma)
- overactive thyroid
- diabetes
- difficulty urinating (such as due to an enlarged prostate)
- liver disease
This product may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions:
- certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG)
- family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death)
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using this product safely.
This medication may mask signs of infection. It can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.
If you have switched from a corticosteroid taken by mouth (such as prednisone tablets) to this inhaler within the past 12 months, or if you have been using this product in higher-than-usual doses for a long time, it may be more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used a corticosteroid taken by mouth within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. Carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that says you use (or have used) corticosteroid medications.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
This medication may temporarily slow down a child's growth if used for a long time. However, poorly controlled asthma can also slow down growth. See the doctor regularly so your child's height can be checked.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Budesonide passes into breast milk. It is unknown if glycopyrrolate or formoterol passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
A product that may interact with this drug is:
Do not use other LABA drugs (such as arformoterol, salmeterol) while using this medication.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: shaking (tremor), chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, seizures.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as lung function, blood pressure, pulse/heart rate, eye exams) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments.
Avoid smoking and other things that can worsen breathing problems. Because the flu virus can also worsen breathing problems, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should have a flu shot every year.
In adults, this medication can increase the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) if used for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your risk, and about available treatments for osteoporosis. Lifestyle changes that help promote healthy bones include increasing weight-bearing exercise, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, and eating well-balanced meals that contain adequate calcium and vitamin D. You may also need to take calcium and vitamin D supplements. Consult your doctor for specific advice. To help prevent osteoporosis later in life, encourage children to exercise and eat a healthy diet (including calcium).
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light, moisture, and heat. Do not store near an open flame. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep the product in the sealed pouch until you are ready to use a new inhaler. Throw away the inhaler 3 months (or 3 weeks if using the 28-inhalation product) after first opening the sealed pouch or after the last dose is inhaled, whichever comes first. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Medical Alert
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
