Bretaris Genuair inhaler (Aclidinium Bromide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Bretaris Genuair inhaler Used For?
Bretaris Genuair is a maintenance bronchodilator medication that helps people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) breathe more easily by opening their airways.
Primary Uses
Bretaris Genuair is used for long-term maintenance treatment of COPD, a serious lung disease that causes breathing difficulties. It helps relieve ongoing shortness of breath and minimizes the impact of COPD on daily life. Regular use can help when you have persistent breathing problems related to your condition.
How It Works
The active ingredient aclidinium bromide belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators. It works by relaxing the airways and helping keep the small air passages (bronchioles) open. The dry powder inhaler uses your breath to deliver the medicine directly into your lungs, making it easier to breathe.
Not for sudden attacks: Bretaris Genuair is for maintenance treatment only and should not be used to treat sudden attacks of breathlessness or wheezing. Contact your doctor if symptoms don’t improve or get worse.
How to Take Bretaris Genuair inhaler
Bretaris Genuair should be used consistently at the same times each day to maintain steady levels of medicine in your body and provide continuous breathing relief.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended dose is one inhalation twice daily – once in the morning and once at night, exactly 12 hours apart. Use the inhaler at the same times each day as the effects last for 12 hours. This ensures there’s always enough medicine in your body to help you breathe more easily throughout the day and night. Follow the instructions provided and continue using until your doctor tells you to stop.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. This helps maintain your regular dosing schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this may increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Inflammation of throat and nasal passages
- Headache
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Voice changes
- Runny nose or sneezing
- Common cold or flu symptoms
- Itchy skin or rash
- Muscle and joint pain
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Serious allergic reactions with shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat or other body parts
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Severe dizziness or fainting
- Chest tightness, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after using (bronchospasm)
- Difficulty passing urine
- Swelling of hands, feet or ankles (angioedema)
Important Warnings
Before using Bretaris Genuair, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure safe use.
Who Should Not Take Bretaris Genuair inhaler
Do not use if you are allergic to aclidinium bromide, any ingredients in the medicine, or related medicines like atropine, ipratropium, tiotropium, or oxitropium. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching, or hives.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had: heart problems, narrow angle glaucoma (seeing halos around lights, eye pain, temporary vision blurring), enlarged prostate or problems passing urine, bladder blockage, or rare hereditary conditions involving galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using Bretaris Genuair, call your doctor straight away. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks if you need to use this medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Oral hygiene: Bretaris Genuair may cause dry mouth, which can lead to tooth decay with long-term use. Pay special attention to oral hygiene while using this medication.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Bretaris Genuair and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Check with your doctor: Don’t take any other medicines for breathing problems without checking with your doctor first. You may need different amounts of your medicines or different medicines altogether.
- Other anticholinergic medicines used for breathing difficulties
- Tiotropium
- Ipratropium
- Oxitropium
- Glycopyrronium
- Other aclidinium-containing medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Bretaris Genuair may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely due to potential side effects.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information. However, consult your doctor about alcohol use while taking this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how Bretaris Genuair affects you. The medication may cause headache, dizziness, or blurred vision in some people. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Temperature Regulation
No specific temperature regulation warnings are mentioned for this medication.
Storage
Keep the Bretaris Genuair inhaler protected in the sealed pouch until you need to start using it. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight – don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. The inhaler must be used within 90 days of opening the pouch.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Bretaris Genuair, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bretaris Genuair is designed for maintenance treatment with effects lasting 12 hours per dose. It should be used regularly twice daily rather than for immediate relief of breathing problems.
No, Bretaris Genuair is a maintenance bronchodilator and should not be used for sudden attacks of breathlessness or wheezing. Contact your doctor if you need treatment for acute breathing episodes.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Do not stop using Bretaris Genuair suddenly. Continue using it even if you feel well, and follow your doctor’s instructions about when to stop treatment.
Keep the inhaler in its sealed pouch until ready to use, store below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture and heat. The inhaler must be used within 90 days of opening the pouch.
If you find that your usual dose isn’t giving as much relief as before or doesn’t last as long as usual, contact your doctor so your condition can be checked. This is important to ensure your COPD is properly controlled.
Do not take any other medicines for breathing problems without checking with your doctor first. Some medications, especially other anticholinergics like tiotropium or ipratropium, may interfere with Bretaris Genuair.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.