Onbrez Inhaler: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Onbrez Breezhaler contains indacaterol maleate, a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (bronchodilator), used for long-term, daily treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is inhaled as a powder-filled capsule using the special Breezhaler device and is not intended for treating sudden breathing attacks. It helps relax the muscles around the airways so they stay open, making breathing easier over the course of 24 hours with once-daily use.

What is Onbrez Inhaler

Onbrez Breezhaler is an inhaled medicine containing indacaterol maleate, a long-acting bronchodilator. It comes as a capsule of powder that is inhaled using the special Breezhaler device. It is used for long-term, daily treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), not for treating sudden breathing attacks.

Onbrez Inhaler uses

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Emphysema associated with COPD
• Chronic bronchitis associated with COPD
• Long-term maintenance of airway opening
• Management of ongoing COPD-related breathing difficulties

Benefits of Onbrez Inhaler

• Helps relax the muscles around the airways so they stay open, making it easier to breathe
• Provides improvement in lung function that lasts 24 hours with once-daily dosing
• Reduces breathlessness and improves health-related quality of life compared with placebo
• Reduces the need for rescue inhaler use and the rate of COPD flare-ups

How Onbrez Inhaler works

Onbrez works by relaxing the muscles around the small airways in the lungs. It attaches to specific receptors in the airway muscles, causing them to relax so the airways open up, making it easier for air to move in and out of the lungs.

Onbrez Inhaler dosage

Onbrez is for inhalation only, using the Breezhaler device provided — never swallow the capsules. Use it at about the same time each day. It can be used with or without food or drink.

Only take capsules out of the blister pack immediately before use — do not push the capsule through the foil, peel the backing instead. Breathe out fully before placing the mouthpiece in your mouth, then breathe in quickly and deeply through the inhaler, and hold your breath for a few seconds afterward. Check the capsule after inhaling to make sure it is empty; if powder remains, inhale again from the same capsule. Do not take more than one dose in a day.

Keep taking this medicine regularly even when you feel well; it does not relieve sudden breathing problems, so keep a fast-acting rescue inhaler on hand for sudden symptoms. Not for use in children or teenagers under 18 years old. No dose change is needed because of older age, mild-to-moderate liver problems, or kidney problems.

Available forms and strengths

• Inhaler

Side effects of Onbrez Inhaler

Common

• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Unusual weakness
• Numbness
• Muscle cramps
• Muscle pain, tenderness or weakness not caused by exercise
• Pain in bones, muscles and joints
• Swelling of ankles, feet or hands
• Rash
• Itching
• Blocked nose, runny nose, sneezing
• Cough
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Sore throat and cold-like symptoms (nasopharyngitis)
• Upper respiratory tract infection

Serious

• Difficulty in breathing or swallowing, swelling of tongue, lips and face (signs of allergic reaction)
• Skin rash, itching and hives
• Difficulty breathing with wheezing or coughing (possible paradoxical bronchospasm)
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Excessive thirst or hunger and frequent urination (signs of high blood sugar)
• Difficulty passing urine or painful urination

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine should only be used for COPD. It should not be used to treat asthma, since long-acting bronchodilators like this one may increase the risk of serious asthma-related problems, including death, in people with asthma.
• Do not use this medicine to treat sudden, severe breathing symptoms — it is not a rescue medicine. Keep a fast-acting inhaler on hand for sudden symptoms.
• In rare cases, this medicine can cause the airways to suddenly tighten instead of opening (called paradoxical bronchospasm), which can be life-threatening.
• Use with caution if you have heart problems, since beta2-agonist medicines like this one can affect heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rhythm.
• This medicine can lower blood potassium levels and raise blood sugar levels, which is especially important to know if you have diabetes.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor.
• This medicine contains lactose. People with rare hereditary sugar intolerances should not take it.
• Onbrez is not recommended during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant so they can discuss the risks and benefits with you.
• It isn't known whether this medicine passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.
• No dose change is needed for people with kidney problems.
• No dose change is needed for mild to moderate liver problems; there is no information on use in severe liver impairment.
• Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol while using this medicine.
• Be careful driving or using machines until you know how this medicine affects you, as it can occasionally cause dizziness.

Storage

• Do not store above 30°C
• Keep capsules in the blister pack at all times and only remove them immediately before use, to protect from moisture and light
• Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight — do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children
• Dispose of each inhaler after 30 days of use, or once all capsules have been used
• Do not use after the expiry date
• Take unused or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the tongue, lips or face, hives, or skin rash.
• Seek help immediately if you have chest tightness, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness right after using the inhaler, as this may mean your airways are narrowing instead of opening.
• Tell your doctor straight away if your breathing symptoms don't improve, get worse, or if you need your rescue inhaler more often — these can be signs your COPD is getting worse.
• If you think you may have used too much of this medicine, get urgent medical attention right away, even if you feel fine, by contacting your doctor or going to the nearest emergency department.
• Get medical help right away for chest pain, or if you notice a fast or irregular heartbeat.

Alternatives

• Umeclidinium
• Salmeterol
• Tiotropium