Home Drug Guide Umeclidinium Bromide

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Umeclidinium Bromide

Brand Names Incruse Ellipta

Classification

Therapeutic: Bronchodilator for COPD

Pharmacological: Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)

FDA Approved Indications

  • Long-term maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Mechanism of Action

Umeclidinium bromide is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist that blocks the M3 muscarinic receptors in airway smooth muscle, leading to bronchodilation.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: One inhalation (62.5 mcg) once daily via the inhaler.

Pediatric: Not indicated for pediatric use.

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustment; monitor for anticholinergic side effects.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dosage adjustments established.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dosage adjustments established.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid absorption after inhalation.

Distribution: Widely distributed in body tissues.

Metabolism: Primarily excreted unchanged; minimal metabolism.

Excretion: Excreted mainly via feces and urine.

Half Life: Approximately 11 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to umeclidinium bromide or other anticholinergic drugs.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with hypersensitivity to atropine or related compounds. May cause anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, and blurred vision. Not recommended for use in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Dry mouth (Common)
  • Cough (Common)
  • Headache (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Paradoxical bronchospasm (Uncommon)
  • Eyes irritation or blurred vision due to contact with the eyes (Uncommon)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other anticholinergic drugs (additive effects)
  • Potassium chloride orally or IV (may cause increased GI or urinary retention)

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor respiratory status, lung function tests, and for anticholinergic effects.

Diagnoses:

  • Impaired airways clearance related to bronchodilation therapy.
  • Risk for anticholinergic side effects.

Implementation: Administer via inhaler as prescribed. Educate patient on proper inhaler technique.

Evaluation: Assess respiratory function and symptom relief periodically, monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Use inhaler regularly, even when symptoms improve.
  • Report signs of paradoxical bronchospasm or allergy.
  • Avoid contact with eyes.
  • Report anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None reported for Incruse Ellipta.

Genetic Factors: No known genetic considerations affecting drug efficacy.

Lab Test Interference: No known interference with laboratory tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe anticholinergic effects: dry mouth, urinary retention, blurred vision, tachycardia, hallucinations.

Treatment: Supportive care; activated charcoal if ingestion recent; symptomatic treatment and observation.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Stability: Stable until expiration date on the package.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.