Generic Name: Incruse Ellipta for COPD (umeclidinium)
"Incruse helped me breathe more than any other inhaler. But a couple of weeks after being on it, some food caught in my throat and (terrifyingly!) I coughed up blood. I hoped it was a one-off thing. But it happened again, necessitating an endoscopy and then an examination from an ENT. Tests revealed nothing. It’s happened now six times. Then a couple of months ago, the right side of my face went numb and swollen. Then I noticed white sores in my mouth and on my lips. Thrush. The doctor gave me antifungal drops that made it go, but it returned with a vengeance. It was a nightmare! I subsequently was prescribed a stronger antifungal - two lots - but it’s all returned. I always rinse my mouth thoroughly. I also gargle in salt and sterilize my toothbrushes. The next step is an even stronger antifungal that requires frequent liver tests - not ideal for someone with a lung/liver disease like me. I feel like I’m living a nightmare in my quest to breathe."
"I was forced to switch from Spiriva capsule to Spiriva Respimat, which I was doing very well on, with few side effects. Spiriva Respimat caused severe dizziness, anxiety, and breathing problems. Then I was forced to try Incruse Ellipta, and this one is even worse. Congestion, severe breathing problems, and extreme fatigue. I have gone from being active to spending most of my time in bed. I don't know what to do."
"My Medicare Advantage Company suggested I use this after they removed Spiriva from their approved list of medications. I used it for a week, and my emphysema worsened considerably. It worsened to the point that I couldn't walk 10 yards without stopping to catch my breath. I called my pulmonary doctor to see if I could get an exception made to go back on Spiriva."
"I began using Incruse Ellipta after my Medicare Advantage plan discontinued coverage for Spiriva, which I had used successfully for a couple of years. The biggest problem I encountered was the horrid, bitter taste of the Incruse. At first, I thought perhaps I had received an outdated inhaler, but my first refill had the same awful taste. I developed thrush and had to be treated for that. After six weeks on the Incruse Ellipta, my immunologist and I applied for and were granted an exception for me to return to using Spiriva."
"I have been on this drug for two weeks and feel downright awful. I need to use my oxygen all the time, can barely walk to the kitchen from the living room without getting extremely weak, and constantly feel like I need to clear my throat. I was switched to Incruse when Medicare dropped Spiriva from its approved list. I want my Spiriva back!"
"I was switched from Spiriva to Incruse after eight months of sore throat, dry cough, and generally feeling bad following surgery to replace the aortic heart valve. I just had my yearly eye exam and have been referred to a specialist for evaluation of wide-angle glaucoma. These findings were not seen one year ago. This is listed on the drug insert as a possible side effect of Incruse. I likely will be taken off of Incruse."
"Horrible muscle and joint pain, severe anxiety interfering even with my ability to do job interviews, severe stomach pain, which took me to the ER = gastritis. Do now I have a choice - use Incruse with my Breo so I can breathe and work along with medications to counteract side effects, example: atenolol for blood pressure and anxiety control, and Tylenol #3 for severe pain levels and muscle tightness, as well as Pepcid AC 20 mg twice daily and Carafate between the Pepcid for severe abdominal pain... or I can just quit Incruse and stay home, sit in a chair, not being able to breathe."
"I've tried numerous inhalers but unfortunately in the last few years, rescue inhalers like Ventolin no longer work for me and Advair (or Inhub) is the only maintenance inhaler that I've been able to tolerate. I started Incruse about three years ago at the recommendation of a respiratory technician. It has made my life considerably better, cooling and smoothing my lungs, eliminating any urge to cough and removing the COPD irritation and pain. I'm surprised so few people find this inhaler works for them. Aside from Advair, it's the only one that works for me. Not only that, it has allowed me to function at a near normal level. It brought me out of a dark place and made breathing almost easy again."
"I switched to this last week from Spiriva due to a difference of $35 on my copay. I dislike it very much. I have had a sore throat since starting. I came down with a cold immediately. I get a horrible taste and a burning sensation in my throat when I take it, and gargling does not help my throat. The burning is still there. I expect to get thrush and will be very unhappy."
"Just started inhaler today. I don't taste anything. And all inhalers can cause thrush its white spots back throat , dr said rinse & gargle with water after use , harmless and don't overuse any inhaler. Hope helps"
"First couple days was excellent then all the sudden I couldn’t breathe good using my rescue inhaler 3-4 times a day, non stop coughing, lots of wheezing, anxiety. Seen my Dr he switched me to Breo but I’m scared of trying it after reading the reviews on that. Since getting COVID 7 months ago I’ve been on many different inhalers for the first time in my life for my lungs and none seem to work ."
"I’ve only taken this drug once and got so sick that I felt like I was going to die for the next 2 days. Immediately after taking it I got very dizzy and nauseous. Then I started getting weak legs, dry heaves and feeling overall very sick. I’ll never take it again."
"I've never felt so ill in all my life, I've gone from working to being stuck in my flat, can't sleep, mucus that I never had before, breathing 10 times worse. I feel like I'm being tortured and nobody is listening. Had paramedic here the first time I used it because I couldn't breathe and two weeks later no change."
"Horrible medicine. Was doing good on Spiriva (sample inhalers)then of course insurance doesn't cover it, so I was put on Incruse. This medicine is horrible. Sore throat, sinus pain, headache. Followed by horrible muscle pain/cramps in my legs and arms, and "flickering" in my peripheral vision. This medicine also made me feel funny, like a jittery feeling, muscles fluttering in my ribcage. It's awful, absolutely awful. I would highly recommend NOT taking it."
"I haven't had an exacerbation since I began using Incruse Ellipta, and my breathing has improved 100%. I've had no side effects, reactions, or adverse events."
"I got pneumonia twice in my 7 months that I used this. And it took 2 months to recover each time. This was the only difference in routine. So, I'm done with it. Not for me, thanks."
"Love this inhaler. After trying Breo, Dulera, Tudorza, Spiriva, Symbicort, and Adair, this one works the best for me."
"This drug made my heart rate drop extremely low! I got a sore throat and could not stand up! It gave me upper stomach pain and bloating! I also got thrush from it!"
"This medication did help my breathing problems, however, it gave me a sore throat and plugged up my sinuses. :("
"This totally stopped my coughing but It just depressed my mucous - build up which was not a good thing, I am scared to use again ( a month in feel like I’m detoxing now)"
"I would not recommend Incruse inhaler to anyone. It has given me heart blockage. I am very angry as it is not listed as a side affect."
"My husband was prescribed this for asthma. Just over a month in and he’s has AWFUL side effects. His eye sight is going. What the is in this stuff?!?"
