umeclidinium bromide at a glance
Medicine class
Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) bronchodilator
Licensed role
Maintenance relief of COPD symptoms in adults
Form
Pre-dispensed dry powder inhaled through an Ellipta device
Not a reliever
Use the prescribed quick-acting inhaler for sudden breathlessness or wheezing
What is umeclidinium bromide used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve COPD symptoms in adults.
How does umeclidinium bromide work?
Umeclidinium competitively blocks muscarinic receptors, particularly M3 receptors, on airway smooth muscle. This reduces acetylcholine-driven tightening of the airways, allowing them to remain more open and making airflow easier.
umeclidinium bromide preparations and strengths
Inhaled preparation
Route: Inhaled
Strengths: 55 micrograms
How to take umeclidinium bromide
Use only by oral inhalation and follow the device instructions supplied with the inhaler.
Open the cover only when ready to inhale; opening and closing it without inhaling loses the prepared medicine.
Do not shake the inhaler or breathe into it.
Breathe out away from the device, seal your lips around the mouthpiece without blocking the air vent, then take a long, steady, deep breath.
Hold your breath briefly if comfortable, remove the inhaler and breathe out gently.
A correct inhalation may not be tasted or felt. Clean the mouthpiece only with a dry tissue.
Keep the inhaler protected from moisture and discard the desiccant sachet without opening, eating or inhaling it.
umeclidinium bromide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Cold-like symptoms or infection of the nose and throat
- Cough or mouth and throat discomfort
- Headache
- Constipation
- Sinusitis
- Urinary tract infection
- Faster heartbeat
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden wheezing, chest tightness or breathlessness immediately after inhalation
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty, marked weakness, light-headedness or collapse
- Eye pain or redness with blurred vision, coloured halos or reduced vision
- New difficulty or pain when passing urine, which may indicate urinary retention
- Significant palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
umeclidinium bromide in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited. Umeclidinium should be considered only when the expected benefit justifies the potential fetal risk. Anyone who is pregnant, planning pregnancy or becomes pregnant should have treatment reviewed by the prescriber rather than stopping it without advice.
umeclidinium bromide while breastfeeding
It is not known whether umeclidinium passes into human milk, and risk to a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. The prescriber should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding and treatment when deciding whether either needs to be interrupted.
umeclidinium bromide interactions
Clinically important metabolic interactions are considered unlikely after inhalation, but medicine reconciliation remains important.
Other long-acting antimuscarinic inhalers, such as tiotropium
Concurrent use is not recommended because antimuscarinic adverse effects may be increased.
CYP2D6 inhibitors
Available pharmacokinetic evidence suggests no clinically relevant interaction is expected.
P-glycoprotein inhibitors, including verapamil
Exposure may increase modestly, but a clinically relevant interaction is considered unlikely.
Common questions about umeclidinium bromide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is umeclidinium bromide used for?
It is licensed as a maintenance bronchodilator to relieve COPD symptoms in adults.
Is umeclidinium bromide a steroid inhaler?
No. It is a long-acting antimuscarinic bronchodilator and does not contain an inhaled corticosteroid.
Can umeclidinium bromide relieve sudden breathlessness?
Sources
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Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.