Eklira Genuair 322 micrograms inhalation powder

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet:

1. What Eklira Genuair is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Eklira Genuair
3. How to use Eklira Genuair
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Eklira Genuair
6. Contents of the pack and other information
7. The Genuair Inhaler: Instructions for use

What Eklira Genuair is

The active ingredient of Eklira Genuair is aclidinium bromide, which belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators. Bronchodilators relax airways and help keep bronchioles open. Eklira Genuair is a dry powder inhaler that uses your breath to deliver the medicine directly into your lungs. This makes it easier for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients to breathe.

What Eklira Genuair is used for

Eklira Genuair is indicated to help open the airways and relieve symptoms of COPD, a serious, long-term lung disease characterised by breathing difficulties. Regular use of Eklira Genuair can help you when you have ongoing shortness of breath related to your disease and will help you to minimise the effects of the disease on your everyday life.

Do not use Eklira Genuair

• if you are allergic to aclidinium bromide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Eklira Genuair:

• if you have had heart problems recently.
• if you see halos around lights or coloured images (glaucoma).
• if you have an enlarged prostate, problems passing urine, or a blockage in your bladder.

Eklira Genuair is indicated for maintenance treatment and should not be used to treat a sudden attack of breathlessness or wheezing. If your COPD symptoms (breathlessness, wheezing, cough) do not improve or get worse you should contact your doctor for advice as soon as possible.

Dry mouth, which has been observed with medicines like Eklira Genuair, may after using your medicine for a long time, be associated with tooth decay. Therefore, please remember to pay attention to oral hygiene.

Stop taking Eklira Genuair and seek medical help immediately:

• if you get tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after using the medicine. These may be signs of a condition called bronchospasm;

Children and adolescents

Eklira Genuair is not for use in children or adolescents below 18 years of age.

Other medicines and Eklira Genuair

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Inform your doctor if you have been or are using similar medicines for breathing problems, such as medicines containing tiotropium, ipratropium. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The use of Eklira Genuair with these medicines is not recommended.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. You should not use Eklira Genuair if you are pregnant or are breast-feeding unless your doctor tells you so.

Driving and using machines

Eklira Genuair may have minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. This medicine may cause headache, dizziness or blurred vision. If you are affected by any of these side effects do not drive or use machinery until the headache has cleared, the feeling of dizziness has passed and your vision has returned to normal.

Eklira Genuair contains lactose

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

Route of administration

The medicine is for inhalation use.

Refer to Section 7 at the end of the package leaflet for instructions on how to use the Genuair inhaler. If you are not sure of how to use Eklira Genuair, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

You can use Eklira Genuair any time before or after food or drink.

If you use more Eklira Genuair than you should

If you think you may have used more Eklira Genuair than you should, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to use Eklira Genuair

If you forget a dose of Eklira Genuair, inhale the dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop using Eklira Genuair

This medicine is for long-term use. If you want to stop treatment, first talk to your doctor, as your symptoms may worsen.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Ireland

What Eklira Genuair contains

• The active substance is aclidinium bromide. Each delivered dose contains 375 micrograms aclidinium bromide equivalent to 322 micrograms of aclidinium.
• The other ingredient is lactose monohydrate (refer to Section 2 “Eklira Genuair contains lactose”).

What Eklira Genuair looks like and contents of the pack

Eklira Genuair is a white or almost white powder.

The Genuair inhaler device is white coloured with an integral dose indicator and a green dosage button. The mouthpiece is covered with a removable green protective cap. It is supplied in a plastic pouch.

Pack sizes supplied:

Carton containing 1 inhaler with 30 doses.

Carton containing 1 inhaler with 60 doses.

Carton containing 3 inhalers each with 60 doses.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Manufacturer

How to Use Eklira Genuair

Summary

To use your Genuair inhaler there are 2 steps you need to perform after removing the cap:

Step 1: Press and RELEASE the green button and breathe out completely, away from the inhaler.

Step 2: Place your lips tightly around the mouthpiece and inhale STRONGLY and DEEPLY through the inhaler.

After inhalation, remember to replace the protective cap.

Getting Started

• Before first use, tear the sealed pouch along the notch and remove the Genuair inhaler.
• When you are about to take your dose of medicine, remove the protective cap by lightly squeezing the arrows marked on each side and pulling outwards (see image 1).

• Look to see that nothing is blocking the mouthpiece.
• Hold the Genuair inhaler horizontally with the mouthpiece towards you and the green button facing straight up (see image 2).

Hold with the green button facing straight up. DO NOT TILT.

STEP 1: PRESS the green button all the way down and then RELEASE it (see images 3 and 4)

DO NOT CONTINUE TO HOLD THE GREEN BUTTON DOWN.

PRESS the green button all the way down

RELEASE the green button

Stop and Check: Make sure dose is ready for inhalation

• Make sure the coloured control window has changed to green (see image 5).
• The green control window confirms that your medicine is ready for inhalation.

IF THE COLOURED CONTROL WINDOW STAYS RED, PLEASE REPEAT PRESS AND RELEASE ACTIONS (SEE STEP 1).

• Before bringing the inhaler to your mouth, breathe out completely. Do not breathe out into the inhaler.

STEP 2: Put your lips tightly around the mouthpiece of the Genuair inhaler and inhale STRONGLY and DEEPLY through the mouthpiece (see image 6).

• This strong, deep breath pulls the medicine through the inhaler into your lungs.

ATTENTION: DO NOT HOLD THE GREEN BUTTON DOWN WHILE YOU ARE INHALING.

• While you breathe in you will hear a “CLICK” which signals that you are using the Genuair inhaler correctly.
• Keep breathing in even after you have heard the inhaler “CLICK” to be sure you get the full dose.
• Remove the Genuair inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for as long as is comfortable, then breathe out slowly through your nose.

Note: Some patients may experience a mild sweet or slightly bitter taste, or grainy sensation, depending on the patient, when inhaling the medicine. Do not take an extra dose if you do not taste or feel anything after inhaling.

Stop and Check: Make sure you have inhaled correctly

• Make sure the control window has turned to red (see image 7). This confirms that you have inhaled your full dose correctly.

IF THE COLOURED CONTROL WINDOW IS STILL GREEN, PLEASE REPEAT INHALING STRONGLY AND DEEPLY THROUGH THE MOUTHPIECE (SEE STEP 2).

• If the window still does not change to red, you may have forgotten to release the green button before inhaling or may not have inhaled correctly. If that happens, try again.

Make sure you have RELEASED the green button and take a STRONG deep breath in through the mouthpiece.

Note: If you are unable to inhale correctly after several attempts, consult your doctor.

• Once the window has turned red, replace the protective cap by pressing it back onto the mouthpiece (see image 8).

When should you get a new Genuair inhaler?

• The Genuair inhaler is equipped with a dose indicator to show you approximately how many doses are left in the inhaler. The dose indicator moves down slowly, displaying intervals of 10 (60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 0) (see image A). Every Genuair inhaler will deliver at least 30 or 60 doses, depending on the pack size.

When a red striped band appears in the dose indicator (see image A), this means you are nearing your last dose and you should obtain a new Genuair inhaler.

Dose indicator goes down by intervals of 10: 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 0.

Note: If your Genuair inhaler appears to be damaged or if you lose the cap, your inhaler should be replaced. You DO NOT NEED to clean your Genuair inhaler. However, if you wish to clean it you should do so by wiping the outside of the mouthpiece with a dry tissue or paper towel.

NEVER use water to clean the Genuair inhaler, as this may damage your medicine.

How do you know that your Genuair inhaler is empty?

• When 0 (zero) appears in the middle of the dose indicator, you should continue using any doses remaining in the Genuair inhaler.
• When the last dose has been prepared for inhalation, the green button will not return to its full upper position, but will be locked in a middle position (see image B). Even though the green button is locked, your last dose may still be inhaled. After that, the Genuair inhaler cannot be used again and you should start using a new Genuair inhaler.