Examples
Prescription anticholinergics
|
| aclidinium (long-acting) | Tudorza Pressair |
| ipratropium (short-acting) | Atrovent |
| tiotropium (long-acting) | Spiriva |
Prescription anticholinergic and short-acting beta2-agonist combination
|
| ipratropium and albuterol | Combivent, DuoNeb |
Prescription anticholinergic and long-acting beta2-agonist combination
|
| umeclidinium and vilanterol | Anoro Ellipta |
Aclidinium is available for use only in a dry powder inhaler.
Ipratropium alone and combined with albuterol
is available in metered-dose
inhaler (MDI) and
nebulizer forms. One medicine may be available in
multiple forms. Your doctor will help you decide which form is best for
you.
Tiotropium is available only as a powder for
inhalation in a
dry powder inhaler.
How It Works
Anticholinergics relax and enlarge
(dilate) the airways in the lungs, making breathing easier (bronchodilators). They may protect the airways from
spasms that can suddenly cause the airway to become narrower (bronchospasm).
They also may reduce the amount of
mucus produced by the airways.
Why It Is Used
Anticholinergics typically are
considered first-line therapy for treating persistent symptoms of
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Because
these medicines may take some time to have an effect on breathing, they usually
are taken on a regular schedule. They are used for both short- and long-term
relief of symptoms.
There are two types of
anticholinergics: short-acting and long-acting. The short-acting type relieves
symptoms and the long-acting type helps prevent breathing problems.
Short-acting anticholinergics are used for treating stable COPD in a person
whose symptoms come and go (intermittent symptoms). Long-acting
anticholinergics are effective and convenient for preventing and treating COPD
in a person whose symptoms do not go away (persistent symptoms).
How Well It Works
A number of studies show that
inhaled anticholinergics improve lung function as measured by tests (spirometry). Tiotropium also can help lower the number of
COPD exacerbations.footnote 1
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe more than one type of medicine to help you manage COPD.
Side Effects
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
- Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Eye pain, blurry vision, or if your eye becomes red after using one of these medicines. There have been rare reports of
closed-angle glaucoma after the use of anticholinergics.
- Problems urinating. Some anticholinergic medicines can cause urinary retention, especially in men with an enlarged prostate.
Common side effects of this medicine include:
- Headache.
- A mild cough.
- Dry mouth.
See Drug Reference for a
full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all
systems.)
What To Think About
Anticholinergics typically
are thought of as the first-line treatment for the persistent symptoms in most
cases of COPD. But short-acting beta2-agonists may be the first choice for treating
symptoms of stable COPD that come and go (intermittent symptoms).
If you have the eye disease glaucoma, talk
with an eye doctor before you start taking anticholinergics. People who have
glaucoma may need to be watched more closely while they are taking these
medicines.
Spirometry may be done before and after you try an
anticholinergic for the first time to see whether the medicine has had an
effect. But even if the medicine has no measurable effect on your lung
function, it still may improve your quality of life.
Nebulizers
normally are no better at delivering anticholinergics deep into the lungs than
a properly used metered-dose inhaler. Sometimes your doctor may prescribe a
nebulizer. A nebulizer can deliver a very large dose of medicine, but it
also may increase side effects of the medicine.
Most doctors recommend that everyone using a metered-dose inhaler also
use a spacer. But you should not use a spacer with a dry
powder inhaler (DPI).
- Breathing Problems: Using a Metered-Dose Inhaler
- Breathing Problems: Using a Dry Powder Inhaler
Taking medicine
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
Advice for women
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant.
Checkups
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Drugs for asthma and COPD (2013). Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 11(132): 75-86.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerHasmeena Kathuria, MD - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine
Current as ofMarch 25, 2017