Beclomethasone, Formoterol, and Glycopyrrolate

This information from UpToDate^® Lexidrug^™ explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat asthma.
• It is used to treat COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
• Do not use this drug to treat intense flare-ups of shortness of breath. Use a rescue inhaler (quick relief inhaler). If you have questions, talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

All products:

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you take other drugs called anticholinergics, like ipratropium or oxybutynin. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if any of your drugs are anticholinergic.
• If you are taking disulfiram or metronidazole. Some products may have alcohol in them.
• If the patient is a child. Do not give this drug to a child.

Inhaler (powder):

• If you have a milk allergy.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• To help control and improve your breathing problem, it is important that you do not run out of this drug. Be sure to get a refill before you run out.
• Call your doctor right away if your breathing problems get worse, if your rescue inhaler (quick relief inhaler) does not work as well, or if you need to use your rescue inhaler more often.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), this drug may sometimes raise blood sugar. Talk with your doctor about how to keep your blood sugar under control.
• If you have been taking this drug for many weeks, talk with your doctor before stopping. You may want to slowly stop this drug.
• Do not take more of this drug or use it more often than you have been told. Deaths have happened when too much of this type of drug has been taken. Talk with your doctor.
• If this drug gets in the eyes, rinse with water right away. Call the doctor right away if this drug gets in the eyes and blurred eyesight, worsened glaucoma, or eye pain happens.
• When changing from an oral steroid to another form of a steroid, there may be very bad and sometimes deadly side effects. Signs like weakness, feeling tired, dizziness, upset stomach, throwing up, not thinking clearly, or low blood sugar may happen. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. If you have a bad injury, have surgery, or any type of infection, you may need extra doses of oral steroids. These extra steroids will help your body deal with these stresses. Carry a warning card saying that there may be times when you may need extra steroids.
• Talk with your doctor if you come into contact with anyone who has chickenpox or measles and you have not had chickenpox, measles, or the vaccines for them.
• The chance of getting pneumonia is higher in people with COPD. This drug may raise the chance of getting pneumonia. Talk with the doctor.
• This drug may cause weak bones (osteoporosis) with long-term use. Talk with your doctor to see if you have a higher chance of weak bones or if you have any questions.
• Have a bone density test as you have been told by your doctor. Talk with your doctor.
• Long-term use may raise the chance of cataracts or glaucoma. Talk with the doctor.
• Have your eye pressure checked if you are on this drug for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of low potassium levels like muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or a heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a severe upset stomach or throwing up, severe dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
• Signs of Cushing’s syndrome like weight gain in the upper back or belly, moon face, severe headache, or slow healing.
• Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
• Chest pain or pressure, a fast heartbeat, or an abnormal heartbeat.
• Shakiness.
• Change in eyesight, eye pain, or severe eye irritation.
• Seeing halos or bright colors around lights.
• Red eyes.
• Trouble passing urine, pain when passing urine, passing urine in a weak stream or drips, or passing urine more often.
• Bone or joint pain.
• Redness or white patches in mouth or throat.
• Depression or other mood changes.
• This drug can cause very bad breathing problems right after you take a dose. Sometimes, this may be life-threatening. If you have trouble breathing, breathing that is worse, wheezing, or coughing after using this drug, use a rescue inhaler (quick relief inhaler) and get medical help right away.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Nose or throat irritation.
• Hoarseness.
• Headache.
• Muscle spasm.
• Dry mouth.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

All inhaler products:

• For breathing into the lungs.
• Stand or sit upright while using.
• Rinse out mouth after each use. Do not swallow the rinse water. Spit it out.
• Keep using this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• Clean mouthpiece by wiping with a dry tissue or cloth. Do not wash or put in water.
• If you are using more than 1 inhaled drug, ask the doctor which drug to use first.

Inhaler (aerosol):

• Prime before first use by spraying it 1 time away from your face or as you have been told by your doctor.
• Do not chew or bite on mouthpiece.
• If the dose is more than 1 puff, wait 30 seconds before using again. Keep the inhaler upright.
• Put the cap back on after you are done using your dose.
• A spacer may be used with the inhaler for easy use.
• This inhaler has a dose counter to keep track of how many doses are left. Throw away the inhaler when you have been told after opening or when the dose counter reaches “0”, whichever comes first.
• If you drop the inhaler, a puff will be sprayed and the dose counter will go down by one.

Inhaler (powder):

• Close the device after each dose. Do not open the device unless a dose is being used.
• Do not take the device apart or wash it. Do not use it with a spacer. Do not breathe out into the device.
• This inhaler has a dose counter to keep track of how many doses are left. Throw away the inhaler when the dose counter reaches “0”, 6 weeks after opening the pouch, or after the expiration date, whichever comes first.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Inhaler (aerosol):

• Store unopened containers in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• After first use, store at room temperature. Be sure you know how long this drug can be stored at room temperature before you need to throw it away. If you have questions, talk with the pharmacist.
• Protect from heat and sunlight. Do not puncture or burn even if it seems empty.

Inhaler (powder):

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in pouch until ready for use.

All products:

• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2024-06-27

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