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.
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.
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.
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 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.
A product that may interact with this drug
is:
Do not use other LABA drugs (such as arformoterol,
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, severe dizziness,
seizures.
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).
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.
Store at room temperature away from light and heat. Do
not store near an open flame. Do not open the sealed pouch until you are
ready to use a new inhaler. Once the pouch is opened, this medication
expires after 3 months (for the 120-inhalation product) or 3 weeks (for the
28-inhalation product). 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).