Umeclidinium

Pronunciation: ue-me-KLI-di-nee-um.

Generic name
umeclidinium (as umeclidinium bromide)
Drug class
Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) bronchodilator
Form
Inhalation powder, pre-dispensed dry powder inhaler (Ellipta device), 55-62.5 mcg per actuation depending on labelling convention
Route
Oral inhalation
Legal status
Prescription-only

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: Incruse Ellipta (5) · Full directory

What umeclidinium (as umeclidinium bromide) is and how it works

Umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta) is a once-daily inhaled medicine that relaxes the muscles around the airways, making it easier to breathe. It is used specifically for the ongoing, maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) -- it is not a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems, and it is not approved for asthma. (1) (2)

Take this inhaler once daily, every day, even when you feel well, since it works to keep airways open over time rather than provide quick relief. If you ever experience sudden worsening of wheezing or breathlessness right after using it, this is a rare but serious reaction that needs immediate medical attention. Because this medicine has anticholinergic effects, tell your clinician if you have glaucoma, prostate problems, or difficulty passing urine before starting.

Mechanism of action: how umeclidinium (as umeclidinium bromide) works

Umeclidinium is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) that competitively and reversibly blocks the action of acetylcholine at M3 muscarinic receptors in airway smooth muscle, producing bronchodilation that persists over a 24-hour dosing interval. (1) (2)

What umeclidinium (as umeclidinium bromide) is used for

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) maintenance treatment

Used as a once-daily maintenance bronchodilator to relieve ongoing symptoms of COPD (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema) in adults. Not indicated for asthma and not studied in that population; not for relief of a sudden asthma or COPD flare-up. (1) (2) (4)

Before taking umeclidinium (as umeclidinium bromide)

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not use if you have a severe allergy to milk proteins -- this inhaler's powder formulation contains lactose which can carry trace milk proteins. (United States) (1)
  • Do not use if you have a known hypersensitivity (allergic reaction) to umeclidinium or any ingredient in this inhaler. (all countries) (1) (2)
  • Do not use this inhaler to treat a sudden attack of wheezing or breathlessness -- it is not fast-acting and is not a rescue inhaler. (all countries) (6)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any history of glaucoma, especially narrow-angle (angle-closure) glaucoma.
  • Any difficulty passing urine, an enlarged prostate, or bladder-neck obstruction.
  • Any heart rhythm problems, such as atrial fibrillation or a fast heartbeat.
  • Any severe allergy to milk proteins.
  • All other inhaled or oral medicines you use, especially any other anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) medicines.
  • Whether you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
(1) (2)

How to take umeclidinium (as umeclidinium bromide)

  • Use one inhalation once daily, at the same time each day, to maintain a steady effect.
  • Do not use more than one inhalation in any 24-hour period.
  • This inhaler is for regular, ongoing use -- it does not relieve sudden breathlessness and should not be used for that purpose.
  • Do not use other anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) inhalers or medicines at the same time as this one, unless your clinician has specifically advised it.
(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Missed dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to your normal once-daily schedule -- do not take two doses at the same time. Contact your prescriber or pharmacist if you are unsure.

Overdose

Seek prompt medical attention if too much medicine has been used, or if you develop a fast or irregular heartbeat, tremor, dry mouth, blurred vision, or difficulty passing urine after excess use. (2)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Nasopharyngitis (common cold-like symptoms).

What to notice: Nasopharyngitis (common cold-like symptoms).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (2)

Upper respiratory tract infection.

What to notice: Upper respiratory tract infection.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (2)

Cough.

What to notice: Cough.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (2)

Joint pain (arthralgia).

What to notice: Joint pain (arthralgia).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Headache, dry mouth, and constipation.

What to notice: Headache, dry mouth, and constipation.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (2)

Serious warnings

Paradoxical bronchospasm — emergency

Symptoms: Sudden worsening of wheezing, chest tightness, or breathlessness immediately after using the inhaler.

Action: Stop using this inhaler and use a fast-acting reliever inhaler right away, then seek urgent medical attention. This is a rare but serious reaction where the medicine itself appears to worsen breathing instead of helping it, and requires immediate discontinuation and alternative therapy. (1) (2)

Worsening of narrow-angle (angle-closure) glaucoma — high caution

Symptoms: Eye pain or discomfort, blurred vision, or seeing halos or coloured rings around lights.

Action: Stop using the inhaler and seek prompt medical or ophthalmic attention if these symptoms occur -- this medicine's anticholinergic effect can worsen narrow-angle glaucoma. (1) (2)

Urinary retention — high caution

Symptoms: Difficulty or inability to pass urine, or a weak urine stream, particularly in men with an enlarged prostate or bladder-neck obstruction.

Action: Contact your clinician promptly if these symptoms occur -- this medicine's anticholinergic effect can worsen urinary retention. (1) (2)

Serious allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) — emergency

Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash or hives; a severe reaction to milk proteins if you have that specific allergy.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately and stop using this inhaler. (1) (2)

Heart rhythm changes — high caution

Symptoms: A fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or dizziness.

Action: Contact your clinician promptly -- cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and tachycardia have been reported, and this medicine should be used cautiously in people with severe cardiovascular disorders. (2)

Interactions

  • Avoid combining with other anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) medicines, including other long-acting muscarinic antagonist inhalers, since this can increase anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention, or constipation. (1) (2)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

Human safety data are limited; use only if the clinical benefit is judged to outweigh potential risk, per your clinician's assessment. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Breastfeeding

It is not known whether umeclidinium passes into human breast milk in clinically significant amounts; discuss the benefits of breastfeeding against your clinical need for this medicine with your clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Children

Not established for use in children in the sources reviewed for this dossier. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Elderly

No dose adjustment is required based on age alone, per the sources reviewed. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Hepatic_impairment

No dose adjustment required for moderate hepatic impairment; use with caution in severe hepatic impairment per the UK/EU source. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Renal_impairment

No dose adjustment required, including in severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min), per the sources reviewed. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Source_ids

US-DAILYMED-INCRUSE-ELLIPTA-2026,UK-EMC-INCRUSE-ELLIPTA-2026 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Review of glaucoma history
  • Review of urinary/prostate symptoms
  • Review of cardiac history
  • Confirmation this is for COPD, not asthma

During treatment

  • Watching for any sudden worsening of breathing right after a dose (paradoxical bronchospasm)
  • Watching for new eye symptoms suggestive of narrow-angle glaucoma
  • Watching for new or worsening urinary symptoms
  • Watching for palpitations or irregular heartbeat
(1) (2)

Storage

Store at room temperature, keep the inhaler cover closed when not in use, and discard 6 weeks after opening the foil pouch, or when the dose counter reads zero, whichever comes first. Keep out of reach of children.

Study the drug class: Antimuscarinic bronchodilators

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA/DailyMed prescribing information and the UK EMC Summary of Product Characteristics; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand

Indication: COPD maintenance bronchodilator treatment

Dose summary: One inhalation once daily (62.5 mcg umeclidinium, US labelling convention; 55 mcg delivered dose, UK/EU labelling convention), at the same time each day; maximum one inhalation per 24 hours.

Renal context: No dose adjustment required, including in severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min). (1) (2)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

No dose adjustment for moderate hepatic impairment; use with caution in severe hepatic impairment.

Overdose note

Expected overdose effects are an extension of anticholinergic adverse effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, tachycardia, urinary retention); manage supportively; no specific antidote identified in the sources reviewed. (1) (2)

Frequently asked questions

Is umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta) the same as Anoro Ellipta?

No. This page covers umeclidinium used ALONE (Incruse Ellipta). Anoro Ellipta is a separate, related product that combines umeclidinium with a second medicine, vilanterol (a long-acting beta agonist), and has its own distinct indication and dosing information. Always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist which specific inhaler has been prescribed for you. (1)

Does umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta) carry a boxed warning?

No -- direct inspection of the current US, UK, and other regulator labels confirms there is no boxed warning for Incruse Ellipta. It does carry real, non-boxed anticholinergic-class warnings: paradoxical bronchospasm, potential worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma, urinary retention, and hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. (1) (2)

Can I use this inhaler for a sudden asthma or COPD flare-up?

No. Incruse Ellipta is a once-daily maintenance medicine that works over time to keep airways open; it is not fast-acting and is not indicated for asthma at all. It should never be used to relieve a sudden attack of wheezing or breathlessness -- use your prescribed fast-acting reliever inhaler for that, and seek medical help if symptoms are severe. (6) (2)

Is Incruse Ellipta available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

Yes. It is authorised in all of these regions under the same brand name, Incruse Ellipta. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

What is the mechanism of action of umeclidinium (as umeclidinium bromide)?

Umeclidinium is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) that competitively and reversibly blocks the action of acetylcholine at M3 muscarinic receptors in airway smooth muscle, producing bronchodilation that persists over a 24-hour dosing interval. (1) (2)

What is the generic name of Umeclidinium?

The generic name is umeclidinium (as umeclidinium bromide). (1) (2)

What class of drug is umeclidinium (as umeclidinium bromide)?

Umeclidinium is classed as: Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) bronchodilator. (1) (2)

References

  1. INCRUSE ELLIPTA (umeclidinium inhalation powder), for oral inhalation use -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, GlaxoSmithKline LLC · United States · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 1
  2. Incruse Ellipta 55 micrograms inhalation powder, pre-dispensed -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- GlaxoSmithKline (UK) · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 2
  3. Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) -- EPAR medicine overviewEuropean Medicines Agency (EMA) -- centralised marketing authorisation / EPAR · European Union · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 3
  4. INCRUSE ELLIPTA (umeclidinium) -- DIN 02423596, product monographHealth Canada -- Drug Product Database (DIN) / product monograph, GlaxoSmithKline Inc. · Canada · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 4
  5. INCRUSE ELLIPTA umeclidinium (as bromide) 62.5 microgram powder for inhalation -- ARTG entry 211601Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia -- Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) / AusPAR · Australia · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 5
  6. Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium as bromide, 62.5 mcg) -- New Zealand Data SheetMedsafe (New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient umeclidinium (as umeclidinium bromide) names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Incruse Ellipta62.5 ug · glaxosmithkline llc

United Kingdom

  • Incruse Ellipta (2)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed no boxed warning · 55 micrograms (delivered dose) inhalation powder · GlaxoSmithKline (UK)

Canada

  • INCRUSE

Australia

  • Incruse Ellipta (5)TGA ARTG registered 2014-07-08 · GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd

New Zealand

  • Incruse Ellipta (6)medsafe data sheet confirmed pharmac funded · GlaxoSmithKline NZ
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Incruse Ellipta (3)

This page provides general reference information about umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta) and is not a substitute for advice from the prescriber managing your treatment. It is a separate product from Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium/vilanterol); always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist which specific inhaler has been prescribed for you.

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