A long-acting antimuscarinic (LAMA) inhaler
Umeclidinium
A once-daily maintenance inhaler that keeps the airways open in COPD.
What is Umeclidinium?
Umeclidinium is a long-acting antimuscarinic (LAMA) maintenance inhaler used in COPD. It is taken once a day to keep the airways relaxed and open and to ease breathlessness over the day. It is a preventer-type inhaler, not a reliever, so it does not act quickly enough for sudden symptoms.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Umeclidinium — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Umeclidinium, sold as Incruse, is a long-acting antimuscarinic (LAMA) inhaler used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a maintenance inhaler taken on a regular daily schedule.
How it works
It blocks muscarinic receptors in the airways, where acetylcholine would normally tighten the surrounding muscle. Blocking this signal relaxes the airway muscle and keeps the airways open for around a day, helping breathing.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: GlaxoSmithKline.
What it treats
Conditions Umeclidinium is used for
Practical use
How to take Umeclidinium
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Use it once a day, even on days you feel well.
- Take it at about the same time each day.
- Use the correct inhaler technique and follow the device instructions.
- Do not use it for sudden breathlessness; keep using your reliever inhaler for that.
- Ask your nurse or pharmacist to check your inhaler technique from time to time.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Umeclidinium
Advantages
- Once-daily maintenance dosing is convenient.
- Keeps the airways open and eases day-to-day breathlessness.
- Inhaled delivery means relatively little is absorbed into the body.
Disadvantages
- It is not a reliever and does not help sudden breathlessness quickly.
- Dry mouth is common.
- Correct inhaler technique is essential for it to work.
Practical use
Good to know
It is a regular, once-daily maintenance inhaler, so it works in the background rather than on demand and must not replace a reliever (rescue) inhaler for sudden breathlessness. Dry mouth is a common effect. As with all inhalers, good technique is key, so have it checked.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had an allergic reaction to umeclidinium.
- It should be used with caution in narrow-angle glaucoma.
- It should be used with caution in those with urinary retention or an enlarged prostate.
- It is licensed for COPD, not for asthma.
Monitoring
- Symptoms and breathlessness are reviewed at regular checks.
- Inhaler technique is checked.
- Be alert for eye pain or trouble passing urine.
Side effects
- Dry mouth.
- Throat irritation or cough.
- Headache and cold-like or urine infections.
- Rarely, blurred vision, eye pain (possible glaucoma) or difficulty passing urine, which should be reported.
Key interactions
- Using it with other antimuscarinic medicines can add to effects like dry mouth and urinary problems.
- It is generally not combined with another LAMA inhaler.
- Tell your team about all your inhalers and medicines so they can be reviewed.
Available as: Available as an inhaler device for breathing in.
Answers
Umeclidinium: frequently asked questions
Is umeclidinium a reliever inhaler?
No. It is a maintenance (preventer-type) inhaler taken regularly to keep the airways open. For sudden breathlessness you still need your separate reliever inhaler.
How often do I use it?
It is used once a day, at about the same time each day, even when you feel well.
Why do I get a dry mouth?
Dry mouth is a common effect of this type of inhaler. Sipping water or sugar-free sweets can help; tell your team if it is troublesome.
Can I use it if I have glaucoma or prostate trouble?
It should be used with caution in narrow-angle glaucoma and in urinary retention or an enlarged prostate. Report eye pain, blurred vision or difficulty passing urine.
What if I forget a dose?
Use it as soon as you remember on the same day, but do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed one. Skip it if it is nearly time for the next dose.
The wider class
About Long-acting bronchodilators
Umeclidinium belongs to the long-acting bronchodilators class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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