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 stay active. This inhaler contains 2 medications: umeclidinium and
vilanterol. Both drugs work by relaxing the muscles around the airways so
that they open up and you can breathe more easily. Umeclidinium belongs to
a class of drugs known as anticholinergics. Vilanterol 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
shortness of breath. If sudden breathing problems occur, use your
quick-relief inhaler as prescribed.
Umeclidinium/vilanterol is not approved to treat asthma.
People with asthma using long-acting inhaled beta agonists (such as
vilanterol) without also using an inhaled corticosteroid may have an
increased risk of serious (sometimes fatal) breathing
problems.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your
pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a
refill. Follow the illustrated directions for the proper use of this
medication. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Inhale this medication by mouth as directed by your
doctor, usually once daily. Do not open the cover of the inhaler until you
are ready to use it. Each time you open the cover, you prepare a dose of
the medication. If you open and close the cover without inhaling the
medication, you will lose the dose. To avoid wasting a dose, do not close
the cover until after you have inhaled the medication. You may or may not
taste/feel the drug when you inhale. Do not exhale into the
device.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. Use it at the same time every day. Do not use it more than one
time 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 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.
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.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- shaking (tremor)
- nervousness
- difficult/painful urination
- muscle cramps/weakness
- increased thirst/urination
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 immediately after you use it. If this happens,
use your quick-relief inhaler and get medical help right
away.
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.
Before using umeclidinium/vilanterol, tell your doctor
or pharmacist if you are allergic to either drug, or if you have any other
allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as milk
proteins), 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:
- heart problems (such as chest pain, irregular
heartbeat)
- high blood pressure
- seizures
- overactive thyroid
- diabetes
- personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure
type)
- difficulty urinating (such as due to an enlarged
prostate)
Umeclidinium/vilanterol 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 umeclidinium/vilanterol, 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 umeclidinium/vilanterol safely.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
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.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
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.
Do not use other LABA drugs (such as formoterol,
salmeterol) while using this medication.
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 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include:
shaking (tremor), chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeat,
seizures.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as lung function, blood
pressure, pulse/heart rate) should be done while you are using this
medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for
more details.
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.
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. Do not use
more than one dose each day.
Store at room temperature away from light, heat, and
moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not open the sealed tray until
you are ready to use the new inhaler. Once the inhaler is removed from the
tray, this medication expires after 6 weeks. 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.
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).