Glycopyrronium

What is glycopyrronium?

Glycopyrronium is a prescription medicine that is used to lower underarm sweating.

Description

Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) cloth, 2.4% is an anticholinergic drug available as a clear, colorless to pale yellow solution on a single-use pre-moistened cloth (an absorbent polypropylene pad) packaged in a pouch for topical administration. Each pouch contains 105 mg glycopyrronium tosylate, equivalent to 66 mg of glycopyrronium. The inactive ingredients are citric acid, dehydrated alcohol, purified water, and sodium citrate.

Glycopyrronium tosylate is chemically described as pyrrolidinium, 3-[(2-cyclopentyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetyl)oxy]-1,1-dimethyl-, 4-methylbenzensulfonate, hydrate (1:1:1) with an empirical formula of C26H37NO7S and a molecular weight of 507.6. The structural formula is represented below:

 Mechanism of Action

Glycopyrronium is a competitive inhibitor of acetylcholine receptors that are located on certain peripheral tissues, including sweat glands. In hyperhidrosis, glycopyrronium inhibits the action of acetylcholine on sweat glands, reducing sweating.

Before taking glycopyrronium, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to glycopyrronium; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Glaucoma; heart problems caused by bleeding; myasthenia gravis; Sjogren’s syndrome; or stomach or bowel problems like bowel block, enlarged colon, or ulcerative colitis.
• If you are not sweating during activities or in warm temperatures.
• 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.

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

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 glycopyrronium 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 glycopyrronium?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take glycopyrronium. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how glycopyrronium affects you.
• Be careful in hot weather or while being active. Drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.
• This medicine may catch on fire. Do not use near an open flame or while smoking.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using glycopyrronium while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is glycopyrronium best taken?

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

• Do not take glycopyrronium by mouth. Use on your skin only. Keep out of your mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Clean affected part before use. Make sure to dry well.
• Put on by wiping across the underarm one time. Use one cloth for both underarms.
• Do not use glycopyrronium on areas other than the underarm.
• Do not get glycopyrronium in your eyes. If you get it in your eyes, it may cause large pupils and blurred eyesight.
• Do not put on open sores or broken skin.
• Do not use coverings (bandages, dressings) unless told to do so by the doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Use 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 use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of glycopyrronium that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

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.
• Trouble passing urine.
• Passing urine more often.
• Passing urine in a weak stream or drips.
• Larger pupils.
• Blurred eyesight.
• This medicine can lead to less sweating in areas other than the underarm. This could lead to high body temperature and heat stroke. Call your doctor if you have a fast or abnormal heartbeat; fast or shallow breathing; fever; or hot, red skin. Call your doctor if you feel less alert, if you pass out, or if you are not sweating during activities or in warm temperatures.

What are some other side effects of glycopyrronium?

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:

• Dry mouth.
• Sore throat.
• Dry nose.
• Dry skin.
• Headache.
• Redness.
• Burning.
• Stinging.
• Itching.
• Constipation.

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 the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

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.

How do I store and/or throw out glycopyrronium?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from heat or open flame.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• 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.