how does this medication work? what will it do for me?

glycopyrronium belongs to the class of medications called bronchodilators. this medication is used once daily for the long-term relief of symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing associated with the lung disease known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. glycopyrronium works by opening the airways to make breathing easier.

glycopyrronium should not be used as a rescue medication to relieve sudden attacks of copd symptoms such as wheezing or shortness of breath. consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice about rescue medications that are appropriate for you.

this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here.

your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

what form(s) does this medication come in?

capsules
each transparent orange capsule printed "gpl50" in black above a black bar on one side and the novartis company logo printed under a black bar on the other side contains 50 µg of glycopyrronium. nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose and magnesium stearate. capsule shells are made of hypromellose, purified water, carrageenan, potassium chloride and fdc yellow 6 (110 sunset yellow fcf).

inhalation device

the breezhaler® inhalation device is a plastic device that is especially designed for administering seebri® capsules.

how should i use this medication?

glycopyrronium is inhaled into the lungs through the mouth. do not swallow this medication.

the recommended adult dose of glycopyrronium is to inhale the contents of one 50 µg capsule once daily, using the breezhaler® inhaler device that comes in the pack with the medication. your health care professional should show you how to use the device. if you not sure about how to use the device, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

take this medication at the same time each morning. the capsule shell should be discarded after the medication has been taken. do not swallow the capsule or the capsule shell.

it is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. if you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

store this medication at room temperature. to protect it from light and moisture, leave the capsules in the original foil packaging until you are ready to take a dose. dispose of each inhaler after 30 days of use. keep this medication out of the reach of children.

do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

who should not take this medication?

do not use glycopyrronium if you:

  • are allergic to glycopyrronium or any ingredients of this medication
  • are severely allergic to lactose or milk proteins

what side effects are possible with this medication?

many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

  • cavities
  • difficulty sleeping
  • dry mouth
  • feeling of pressure or pain in the cheeks and forehead (possible symptoms of sinus congestion)
  • itchiness
  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain (possible symptoms of gastroenteritis)
  • nose bleeds
  • pain in arms or legs
  • pain in muscles, bones, or joints
  • rash
  • symptoms of common cold (runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, sneezing)
  • tiredness
  • throat irritation
  • tingling or numbness
  • upset stomach or indigestion
  • voice hoarseness
  • weakness

although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

  • difficulty and pain when passing urine, urinating frequently, urination in a weak stream or drips
  • signs of glaucoma (an eye problem that causes increased eye pressure), such as new or worsened pressure in your eyes, eye pain or discomfort, blurred vision, seeing halos of bright colours around lights, red eyes
  • signs of high blood sugar (e.g., frequent urination, increased thirst, excessive eating, unexplained weight loss, poor wound healing, infections, fruity breath odour)

stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

  • new occurrence of irregular heart beat
  • signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., rash; hives; swelling of the face, mouth, lips, throat, and tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing)
  • signs of bronchospasm (narrowing airways), such as chest tightness, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after using this medication

some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.

copd symptoms: if your copd symptoms (breathlessness, wheezing, cough) do not improve or if they worsen during your treatment stop using this medication and tell your doctor immediately.

bladder or urinary problems: glycopyrronium can worsen symptoms of bladder problems. if you have a history of bladder problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

enlarged prostate: glycopyrronium can worsen symptoms of an enlarged prostate, such as difficulty starting urination. if you have an enlarged prostate, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

glaucoma: people with eye conditions (e.g., glaucoma) are more likely to experience worsening of their conditions and symptoms such as eye pain and swelling, blurred vision, or other unusual changes in their vision. take extra care to ensure that glycopyrronium powder does not come into contact with your eyes. if your eyes have been in contact with glycopyrronium powder or you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

heart problems: if you have heart problems such as rapid or irregular heart beat, "qt prolongation" (abnormal electrical signals in the heart), or a history of heart attack, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

inhalation-induced bronchospasm: inhaled forms of medications may cause spasms of the airways which make breathing difficult. if you experience this problem when using glycopyrronium, stop using this medication immediately. speak to your doctor if you experience any problems with breathing while taking this or other inhaled medication.

kidney function: kidney disease or reduced kidney function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. if you have severely reduced kidney function or severe kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

prevention only: glycopyrronium is not useful for treating acute symptoms (as a "rescue" medication). it is meant for prevention only. short-acting medications such as salbutamol, terbutaline, or formoterol are required to relieve breathing symptoms as instructed by your doctor and should be available at all times.

pregnancy: there are no studies on the use of glycopyrronium by pregnant women. this medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. if you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

breast-feeding: it is not known if glycopyrronium passes into breast milk. if you are a breast-feeding mother and are using this medication, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

children: the safety and effectiveness of this medication for children younger than 18 years of age have not been established.

what other drugs could interact with this medication?

there may be an interaction between glycopyrronium and any of the following:

  • aclidinium
  • amoxapine
  • antihistamines (e.g., bilastine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, rupatadine)
  • antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
  • atropine
  • azelastine
  • benztropine
  • botulinum toxin
  • cannabis
  • clidinium
  • cyclobenzaprine
  • darifenacin
  • disopyramide
  • domperidone
  • donepezil
  • galantamine
  • glucagon
  • glycopyrrolate
  • ipratropium
  • ketotifen
  • methadone
  • metoclopramide
  • mirabegron
  • monoamine oxidase (mao) inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine)
  • nabilone
  • narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, tapentadol, tramadol)
  • orphenadrine
  • oxybutynin
  • potassium supplements
  • quinidine
  • rivastigmine
  • scopolamine
  • solifenacin
  • thiazide diuretics (e.g., chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide)
  • tiotropium
  • tolterodine
  • topiramate
  • tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine)
  • trospium
  • umeclidinium

if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

  • stop taking one of the medications,
  • change one of the medications to another,
  • change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
  • leave everything as is.

an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

all material copyright mediresource inc. 1996 – 2023. terms and conditions of use. the contents herein are for informational purposes only. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/seebri-breezhaler