Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) is a brand-name inhaler prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. As with other drugs, Incruse Ellipta can cause side effects, such as irregular heart rhythm and runny or stuffy nose.

Incruse Ellipta can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who used Incruse Ellipta for COPD in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Incruse Ellipta use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Incruse Ellipta include:

  • runny or stuffy nose
  • upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
  • cough
  • joint or muscle pain
  • bruising
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea
  • pain in your upper abdomen
  • toothache

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Incruse Ellipta and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Incruse Ellipta may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to its prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while using Incruse Ellipta, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • depression, which may include symptoms such as:
    • depressed mood that persists
    • loss of interest in activities or hobbies you usually enjoy
  • pneumonia, which may include symptoms such as:
    • cough, which may produce bloody, green, or yellow phlegm
    • shortness of breath
  • sudden narrow-angle glaucoma, which may include symptoms such as:
    • pain or discomfort in the eye
    • blurry vision
  • urinary retention, which may include symptoms such as:
    • pain while urinating
    • difficulty passing urine
  • irregular heart rhythm
  • paradoxical bronchospasm

For more information about heart rhythm problems and paradoxical bronchospasm, see the “Side effect specifics” section later in this article.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Incruse Ellipta can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Incruse Ellipta, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Incruse Ellipta may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Is it safe to drink alcohol while using Incruse Ellipta? Does this cause certain side effects?

Maybe. Alcohol doesn’t directly interact with Incruse Ellipta. And drinking alcohol won’t cause new or different side effects. But it could worsen some side effects that Incruse Ellipta may cause. It could also raise your risk of certain side effects from Incruse Ellipta.

Some side effects that may worsen if you drink alcohol while using Incruse Ellipta include:

  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea

In addition, alcohol could have negative impacts on your lung function and immune system. This could worsen your COPD symptoms, which Incruse Ellipta is prescribed to treat. It could also raise your risk of infection, such as the common cold or pneumonia, which are possible side effects of Incruse Ellipta.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about alcohol’s effects on COPD and whether you should minimize or avoid consumption while using Incruse Ellipta.

Does Incruse Ellipta make you tired?

Possibly. Fatigue, drowsiness, and sleepiness weren’t reported as side effects in clinical trials of Incruse Ellipta. But other side effects could make you feel tired. For example, the common cold and pneumonia can both make you feel tired. Both are possible side effects reported with Incruse Ellipta.

If you feel unusually tired while using Incruse Ellipta, let your doctor know. There are numerous possible causes for fatigue symptoms. Your doctor can help determine possible causes and treatments for your symptoms.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Incruse Ellipta may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information.

Irregular heart rhythm

Heart rhythm problems were a rare but potentially serious side effect reported in clinical trials of Incruse Ellipta. Arrhythmia is the medical term for an irregular heart rhythm.

There are different types of arrhythmia. Possible arrhythmias that have been reported with Incruse Ellipta include:

Symptoms will vary depending on the type of arrhythmia but some general ones to watch for include:

If you have an existing heart condition, such as heart disease, you may have an increased risk of arrhythmia if you use Incruse Ellipta. If you have an existing arrhythmia, using Incruse Ellipta could worsen it.

What you can do

Let your doctor know right away if you notice the above symptoms with Incruse Ellipta. How your doctor responds will depend on your symptoms.

Some arrhythmias are mild and can be treated using medications or certain procedures. This could allow you to safely continue Incruse Ellipta treatment. But in other instances, your doctor may suggest stopping Incruse Ellipta. They may be able to recommend another medication instead.

Paradoxical bronchospasm

Paradoxical bronchospasm is a rare but serious side effect possible with any inhaler, including Incruse Ellipta. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials of Incruse Ellipta.

Bronchospasm refers to a tightening of the muscles lining your airways, which can make it difficult to breathe. The term paradoxical is used because the effect is the opposite of what is expected: Incruse Ellipta is used to relieve COPD symptoms, including shortness of breath. But sometimes, inhalers unexpectedly cause bronchospasm.

Symptoms of paradoxical bronchospasm include a feeling of constriction or tightness in the chest immediately after inhaling a dose of Incruse Ellipta. You may also experience difficulty breathing.

What you can do

If you experience symptoms of paradoxical bronchospasm after a dose of Incruse Ellipta, you should immediately use your rescue inhaler as directed by your doctor.

If your symptoms feel severe or do not go away after using your rescue inhaler, seek immediate medical attention. If your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Do not use Incruse Ellipta again if you experience paradoxical bronchospasm during treatment. Your doctor will likely stop your treatment, and can discuss other treatment options for COPD with you instead.

Below is important information you should consider before using Incruse Ellipta.

Before starting Incruse Ellipta, discuss your health history with your doctor. This drug may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.