Anyone who has ever suffered from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) knows how challenging it can be to live with a condition like shortness of breath. If you have this condition, your doctor may have prescribed a special inhaler to make it easier for your lungs to breathe. Today, we are going to talk about an inhaler that comes in the form of a powder that contains a combination of two drugs, Indacaterol and Glycopyrrolate.
Simply put, what is this medicine?
This is a combination of two medications. Both work by slightly widening the airways in your lungs, reducing congestion, and making it easier to breathe. This is a maintenance medication that you need to take every day.
Very important: This inhaler is for long-term control of COPD. Do not use it for a sudden attack of shortness of breath. In such cases, you should use a short-acting blue inhaler, such as the one your doctor has given you.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
For your safety, it is essential that you inform your doctor about your complete health history before using this medication. Be sure to tell him/her if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Health conditions that must be reported to the doctor | |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | Glaucoma |
| Any type of heart disease | High blood pressure |
| Irregular heartbeat | Kidney or liver disease |
| Prostate problems or difficulty urinating | Seizures |
| Thyroid disease | Allergies to milk or any other medicine or food |
| If you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant | If you are a breastfeeding mother |
How to use the inhaler correctly?
This requires a special inhaler device, so make sure you understand exactly how your doctor or pharmacist tells you to use it.
- Do not swallow the capsules: This is the most important thing. This medicine comes in the form of small capsules. These are not medicines to be swallowed by mouth. This capsule is inserted into the inhaler that comes with it, and when you press a button on it, the capsule is punctured, and you can only inhale (inhale) the medicine powder inside.
- Do not use a spacer: A spacer device is not used with this inhaler.
- Take it at the right time: Take the medicine only when and for the prescribed amount as prescribed by your doctor. Never use more than the prescribed amount.
- Do not stop suddenly: Do not stop using this without your doctor's advice.
- Capsule fragments coming into your mouth: Sometimes, when you inhale the medicine, small gelatin pieces from the capsule may come into your mouth. This is normal, so don't worry about it.
- Not suitable for children: This medicine is not approved for use in children.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not delay this.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Some medications you are taking may interact with the medication in this inhaler. This may cause unwanted side effects or change the way the medication works. Therefore, tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including vitamins, nutritional supplements, Sinhala medicines, and Ayurvedic medicines .
Be sure to tell us if you are taking any of these medications:
- Other types of long-acting bronchodilators (long-acting beta-2 agonists - LABAs)
- Medications for some heart diseases
- Medications for mental illness and depression (such as MAOIs)
- Diuretics
- Allergy, cough, and cold medications
- Other anticholinergic medications (e.g. ipratropium, tiotropium)
- Types of steroids (e.g. prednisone)
This list is not complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor about everything you take.
Things to be careful about while taking the medicine
- Regular checkups: Go to clinics at regular intervals as prescribed by your doctor.
- Pay attention to symptoms: If your symptoms do not improve, or if they seem to be getting worse, tell your doctor immediately.
- Be careful with your quick-relief inhaler: If you find yourself needing to use your emergency (short-acting) inhaler more often than usual, it could be a sign that your condition is not well controlled. Tell your doctor right away.
- Do not let this medicine get into your eyes: Do not let this medicine get into your eyes. Doing so may cause eye pain, burning, and blurred vision.
- Dizziness: Some people may feel dizzy when using this medicine. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are an elderly person, stand up slowly when getting up from a sitting position or getting out of bed.
- Cleaning the inhaler: Always keep the inhaler clean as directed in the instructions that come with the medication.
Let's also learn about side effects.
Like any medicine, this one can cause some side effects. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Serious symptoms that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. | Increased difficulty breathing: If breathing becomes more difficult after taking the medicine. |
| Changes in heart rate: chest pain, dizziness, feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, fainting. | Eye changes: blurred vision, eye pain. |
| Difficulty urinating: pain during urination, change in the amount of urine. | Muscle pain or stiffness, tremors. |
| Symptoms of high blood sugar: dry mouth, feeling extremely thirsty or hungry, needing to urinate frequently. | |
| Symptoms that are usually nothing to worry about, but if they persist, you should tell your doctor. | |
| Back pain | Cough |
| Cold-like symptoms (runny nose) | Sore throat |
How to store medicine properly?
To maintain the quality of the medicine, it must be stored correctly.
- Keep it out of the reach of children.
- Store at room temperature, in a dry place. Protect from moisture.
- Keep the capsules in the aluminum foil packet until you are ready to use them. Do not remove the capsules and place them inside the inhaler.
- Every time you get a new pack of medicine, use the new inhaler that comes with it.
Take-Home Message
- This inhaler is a maintenance medication used to control COPD over the long term. Do not use it for sudden shortness of breath.
- Never swallow the medicine capsules. They are only meant to be inhaled through the inhaler.
- Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and all medications you take.
- If you need your rescue inhaler frequently, see your doctor immediately.
- If symptoms of serious side effects (chest pain, increased difficulty breathing, allergic reactions) occur, seek medical advice immediately.
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