Do you have COPD, a chronic lung disease? If so, your doctor may have prescribed you a medication that you take through a nebulizer. Revefenacin (brand name YUPELRI) is one such medication. Sometimes, when using this medication, you may have some questions. "How exactly do I use this?", "Will there be any side effects?", etc. So, today we will talk in detail about this medication, how to use it, and what to be careful about.
What kind of medicine is Revefenacin?
Simply put, Revefenacin is a medication that helps to widen the airways in your lungs and make it easier to breathe. We call this a 'controller' medication. That means it helps to control your COPD symptoms on a daily basis and help you stay comfortable.
But this is very important: Revefenacin is not a medicine to be used in the event of a sudden increase in breathing difficulty (sudden COPD flare-up). There are separate 'reliever' medicines that should be used in such an emergency. Your doctor has informed you about them. Therefore, this medicine should only be used to control the disease.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before prescribing Revefenacin, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. Be sure to tell them about any of the following conditions:
- If you have glaucoma .
- Difficulty urinating, bladder problems , or, if you are a man , prostate problems .
- If you have heart disease or an irregular heartbeat .
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have had an allergic reaction to Revefenacin or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a nursing mother .
Based on this information, it will be easier for the doctor to decide how suitable this medicine is for you.
How should I use the medicine?
This medicine is administered using a machine called a nebulizer. This machine turns the liquid medicine into a fine mist (aerosol). You can then inhale the mist into your lungs through your mouth or through your mouth and nose.
- Correct dosage: Take the correct dose, at the correct time, exactly as your doctor prescribed. Never use more than the prescribed amount.
- Do not mix: Another important thing is that you should not mix this medicine with any other medicine in the nebulizer.
- Follow the instructions: Read the INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE that comes with your medication carefully. It is also important to clean the nebulizer as directed. If there is anything you are not sure about, ask your doctor for clarification.
What to do if you overdose?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Alternatively, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital .
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
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 a double dose.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Some medications may interact with Revefenacin. Therefore, it is very important to give your doctor a complete list of all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, over-the-counter, herbal, vitamins). It is also important to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Some medications that may interact with Revefenacin include:
- Aclidinium
- Some antihistamines for colds and allergies
- Atropine
- Medicines for bladder problems, such as Oxybutynin and Tolterodine
- Parkinson's disease medications like Benztropine and Trihexyphenidyl
- Medicines for stomach aches like Dicyclomine and Hyoscyamine
- Medicines for motion sickness, such as scopolamine
- Cyclosporine
- Glycopyrrolate
- Ipratropium
- Rifampin
- Tiotropium
- Umeclidinium
This is not a complete list, so it's safest to tell your doctor about everything you take.
What are the possible side effects of the medicine?
Like any medicine, Revefenacin can cause side effects in some people. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| 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 urinating. |
| Difficulty breathing | Difficulty breathing or increased wheezing after taking the medicine. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Various pains and discomforts | Backache, headache, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual in addition to these, seek medical advice.
How do you store and dispose of medication?
- Storage: Keep vials out of the reach of children and pets . Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Keep unused vials in the foil pouch they came in.
- Disposal: Expired or unwanted medications should be disposed of safely. You can check with hospitals or some pharmacies for medication take-back programs. If not, ask your doctor about how to safely dispose of them.
Take-Home Message
- Revefenacin is a daily 'controller' medication for COPD symptoms. It is not for emergency breathing difficulties.
- Tell your doctor about all your health conditions (especially glaucoma, urinary problems, heart disease) and all other medications you take.
- Follow the instructions exactly when using the nebulizer. Do not mix Revefenacin with other medications.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as increased difficulty breathing, sudden eye pain, or severe allergic reactions after taking the medicine.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with others.
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