Incruse Ellipta (Umeclidinium)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Incruse Ellipta Used For?
Incruse Ellipta contains umeclidinium and is specifically designed to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s inhaled into your lungs through your mouth using the ELLIPTA inhaler device.
Primary Uses
Incruse Ellipta is used to treat COPD, a long-term lung condition that slowly gets worse over time. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, chest discomfort, and coughing up mucus.
How It Works
Umeclidinium belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators. It helps open the airways and makes it easier for air to get in and out of the lungs. When used regularly, it can help control breathing difficulties and minimize the effects of COPD on your everyday life.
Not for sudden attacks: Incruse Ellipta should not be used to relieve a sudden attack of breathlessness or wheezing. For sudden attacks, use a quick-acting inhaler like VENTOLIN.
How to Take Incruse Ellipta
Always use Incruse Ellipta exactly as your doctor has told you. The medication is ready to use straight away with no preparation required.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one inhalation once daily at the same time each day. Don’t use more than your doctor tells you to use. The dose should not exceed one inhalation per day. Use it regularly every day as instructed by your doctor to stay free of symptoms throughout the day and night.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. If you become wheezy or breathless, use your quick-acting inhaler and seek medical advice.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
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:
- Painful and frequent urination (may indicate urinary tract infection)
- Upper airway infections
- Pressure or pain in cheeks and forehead (sinusitis)
- Faster or irregular heartbeat
- Constipation
- Cough
- Sore throat and runny nose
- Dry mouth
- Taste disturbance
- Mouth and throat pain
- Hoarseness
- Eye pain
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty passing urine
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions with shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling
- Eye pain with blurred vision, visual halos or colored images with red, swollen eyes (signs of acute narrow-angle glaucoma)
- Tightness of chest, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after use
Important Warnings
Before using Incruse Ellipta, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current conditions with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Incruse Ellipta
Do not use if you are allergic to umeclidinium, lactose, milk proteins, or any ingredients in Incruse Ellipta. Do not use to treat asthma. Not recommended for children or adolescents under 18 years.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: asthma, heart problems or high blood pressure, narrow-angle glaucoma, enlarged prostate or difficulty passing urine, bladder blockage, or intolerance to sugars or milk proteins.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Your doctor will consider the benefit to you and risk to your baby. Talk to your doctor if breastfeeding, as it’s unknown whether ingredients pass into breast milk.
Allergic reactions: Symptoms may include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching, or feeling weak/lightheaded. Seek immediate medical help if these occur.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Incruse Ellipta and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Tell your doctor about any medicines, vitamins or supplements you buy without prescription
- Do not take other breathing medicines without checking with your doctor first
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious about activities requiring alertness until you know how Incruse Ellipta affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Incruse Ellipta affects you.
Storage
Store in original package to protect from moisture. Keep in a cool, dry place below 30°C away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. If refrigerated, allow to return to room temperature at least 1 hour before use. Keep away from children. Safely dispose of inhaler 6 weeks after opening foil tray or when counter reads ‘0’, whichever comes first.
Overdose Information
If you accidentally take more than prescribed, you may notice faster heartbeat, dry mouth, or vision problems. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Incruse Ellipta should be used regularly every day to help control breathing difficulties related to COPD. When used consistently, it helps minimize the effects of the disease on your everyday life.
No, Incruse Ellipta should not be used to relieve sudden attacks of breathlessness or wheezing. For sudden attacks, you must use a quick-acting inhaler such as VENTOLIN.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
No, do not stop using this medicine suddenly or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor first.
After using Incruse Ellipta, you may clean the mouthpiece using a dry tissue before closing the cover. Do not immerse the inhaler in water.
Safely throw away Incruse Ellipta 6 weeks after you open the foil tray or when the counter reads ‘0’, whichever comes first.
Do not take any other medicines for your breathing problems without checking with your doctor first.
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.