DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Glycopyrrolate

March 21, 2017

Glycopyrrolate Inhalation powder, capsule

What is this medicine?

GLYCOPYRROLATE (glye koe PYE roe late) is a bronchodilator. It helps open up the airways in your lungs to make it easier to breathe. This medicine is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Do NOT use for an acute COPD attack.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • bladder problems or difficulty passing urine

  • glaucoma

  • heart disease or irregular heartbeat

  • kidney disease

  • prostate trouble

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to glycopyrrolate, milk, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is used in a special inhaler. Do NOT swallow the capsules. Do NOT use a spacer device. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice. Make sure that you are using your inhaler correctly. Ask your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions. Small pieces of the capsule may get in your mouth or throat when you breathe in your medicine. This is normal and should not hurt you.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not use double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

  • aclidinium

  • atropine

  • antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold

  • certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine

  • certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine

  • certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine

  • certain medicines for Parkinson's disease like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl

  • ipratropium

  • tiotropium

  • umeclidinium

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. Do not use more medicine than directed. If your symptoms get worse while you are using this medicine, call your doctor right away.

Do not get the this medicine in your eyes. It can cause irritation, pain, or blurred vision.

You may get dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

Clean the inhaler as directed in the patient information sheet that comes with this medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • breathing problems

  • changes in vision

  • chest pain

  • fast heartbeat

  • infection or flu-like symptoms

  • trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (Report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome.):

  • cough

  • nausea

  • sore throat

  • trouble sleeping

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep in a dry place. Protect from moisture. Keep capsules in the foil blister pack until you are ready to use in the inhaler. Do not store the capsules in the inhaler. Always use the new inhaler that comes with your new medication pack with each refill. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Glycopyrrolate Oral solution

What is this medicine?

GLYCOPYRROLATE (glye koe PYE roe late) is used to decrease drooling in children with certain medical conditions.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • difficulty passing urine

  • eye problems like glaucoma

  • heart disease or irregular heartbeat

  • hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

  • high blood pressure

  • kidney disease

  • myasthenia gravis

  • stomach or bowel problems like obstruction or ulcerative colitis

  • thyroid problems

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to glycopyrrolate, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. If you are giving this medicine to a child, use an oral syringe to give the dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Take this medicine 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 3 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you've taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • potassium tablets or capsules; liquid potassium may be used

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • amantadine

  • atenolol

  • digoxin

  • haloperidol

  • levodopa

  • metformin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

You may get drowsy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more drowsy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Avoid extreme heat. This medicine can cause you to sweat less than normal. Your body temperature could increase to dangerous levels, which may lead to heat stroke.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • agitation, nervousness, confusion

  • breathing problems

  • changes in vision or eye problems

  • constipation

  • decreased sweating and increased body temperature

  • diarrhea

  • dizziness, drowsiness

  • fast, irregular heartbeat

  • severe abdominal pain

  • trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

  • unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (Report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome.):

  • dry mouth

  • flushing of the face or skin

  • headache

  • infection

  • nasal congestion

  • nausea

  • vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Glycopyrrolate Oral tablet

What is this medicine?

GLYCOPYRROLATE (glye koe PYE roe late) is used to treat peptic ulcer disease. It is given in combination with other medicines.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • difficulty passing urine

  • glaucoma

  • heart disease or irregular heartbeat

  • intestinal problems

  • kidney or liver disease

  • myasthenia gravis

  • stomach obstruction

  • ulcerative colitis

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to glycopyrrolate, latex, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

  • antacids

  • medicines for hay fever and other allergies

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

You may get drowsy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more drowsy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Avoid extreme heat (e.g., hot tubs, saunas). This medicine can cause you to sweat less than normal. Your body temperature could increase to dangerous levels, which may lead to heat stroke.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • agitation, nervousness, confusion

  • blurred vision and other eye problems

  • decreased sweating

  • dizziness, drowsiness

  • irregular heartbeat

  • pain or difficulty passing urine

  • unusually weak or tired

  • vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • constipation

  • difficulty sleeping

  • headache

  • nausea

  • sexual difficulty

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Updated:  

March 21, 2017

Sources:  

U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert