When you feel a little difficult to breathe, your doctor has probably told you to use an inhaler, right? This is a familiar experience, especially for those with long-term respiratory diseases like COPD. There are many types of these inhalers. So today we are going to talk about the inhaler that some of you use, which contains a drug called Aclidinium, which comes in the form of a dry powder.
Simply put, what is this Aclidinium inhaler?
This is the most important thing. Aclidinium is a medicine used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) . Its main function is to widen the airways in your lungs, making it easier to breathe.
Think of it like when there's a traffic jam on a road, it's like easing the traffic and allowing cars to pass through. This medicine widens your airways and makes it easier to breathe.
But here's something you need to remember . This is not a medicine you use when you have a sudden flare-up of shortness of breath. This is a "controller inhaler." That is, it is a medicine you use at regular times each day to prevent symptoms from occurring. Your doctor may have given you a separate "rescue inhaler" to use in an emergency. Don't confuse the two.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before prescribing Aclidinium inhaler to you, your doctor will need to know your complete medical history. This medicine may interact with certain medical conditions. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Your health condition | Why should we inform about it? |
|---|---|
| Bladder problems or difficulty urinating | This medicine can sometimes make it more difficult to urinate. |
| Glaucoma (increased eye pressure) | Aclidinium may increase the risk of eye pressure. |
| Kidney disease | The dosage of the medication may need to be adjusted depending on kidney function. |
| Prostate problems | This medication may increase urinary difficulties caused by an enlarged prostate. |
| Various allergies (Allergies) | Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to Aclidinium, Atropine, milk proteins, lactose, or any other medicine or food. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | You should discuss the safety of this medication during pregnancy with your doctor. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | Inform the doctor to confirm whether the medicine passes to the baby through breast milk. |
How do you use this inhaler correctly?
The way this is used is very important.
- This medicine is to be inhaled through the mouth. Take it as directed by your doctor, at the same time every day . Never take more than the prescribed amount.
- You should continue taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Even if you feel a little better, don't stop taking it abruptly.
- When you are given medication, you will receive a patient package insert with it. Read it carefully each time. It may contain updated information.
What to do if you overdose?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital in Colombo. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I forget to take the medicine?
We sometimes forget to take our medicine, don't we? If that happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses of medicine at once for any reason.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
If you are taking other medications while taking Aclidinium, there may be interactions between the medications. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking. Especially if you are taking any of the medications listed below.
- Atropine
- Some medicines used for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines)
- Some medications for bladder problems (e.g. oxybutynin, tolterodine)
- Some medications for stomach problems (e.g. dicyclomine, hyoscyamine)
- Medicines for conditions such as motion sickness (e.g. scopolamine)
- Some medications for Parkinson's disease (e.g., benztropine, trihexyphenidyl)
- Other types of inhalers, such as Ipratropium or Tiotropium
This list is not exhaustive. So tell your doctor about all the vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements you take. Also, don't forget to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
Check with your doctor regularly to see how your condition is while you are taking this medicine. If your symptoms do not improve or seem to get worse, tell your doctor.
The most important thing is, if you have increased difficulty breathing or need your rescue inhaler more often, don't assume it's normal. Call your doctor right away.
Side effects that may occur due to this medicine
Like any medicine, Aclidinium can cause side effects in some people. Some of them can be serious and require immediate attention. Some are not so serious.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Eye problems | Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, and loss of vision. |
| Difficulty urinating | Difficulty or complete inability to urinate. |
| Increasing difficulty breathing | If you experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness after using the inhaler. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | Difficulty going to the toilet. |
| Cough | Slight cough. |
| Dry mouth | Feeling like saliva is stuck in the mouth. |
| Headache | Slight headache. |
| Sore throat | Feeling a slight pain or discomfort in the throat. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual in addition to these, seek medical advice.
How do you properly hold and remove the inhaler?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store in the sealed bag at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Keep away from excessive heat, cold, or moisture.
- Discard time: This is very important. The inhaler should be discarded 45 days after it has been removed from its original foil pouch, or when the dose counter on the inhaler shows "0", or when the expiration date on the inhaler has passed ( whichever comes first ).
- Do not release expired or no longer needed inhalers into the environment. Ask your doctor how to dispose of them properly.
We hope this information helps you understand the Aclidinium inhaler better. Remember, if you have any questions about your medication, the best person to ask is your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Aclidinium is a "controller inhaler" used daily to control COPD. It is not a rescue medication.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially glaucoma, urinary problems) and all other medications you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience increased difficulty breathing, eye pain, or severe allergic symptoms after using the inhaler.
- Never take two doses at the same time. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose.
- Remove the inhaler from its original packaging and discard it after 45 days or when the dose count reaches '0' or when it expires (whichever comes first).
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