Yupelri is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s FDA-approved as a maintenance (everyday) treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. It treats COPD by relaxing the muscles in your airways. This helps open your airways, making it easier to breathe.

Yupelri comes as a solution that’s used with a device called a nebulizer. The nebulizer turns the drug into a mist that you inhale through a mouthpiece. The solution comes in individually wrapped single-use vials. Each vial contains 175 micrograms (mcg) of drug in 3 milliliters (mL) of solution.

FDA approval

Yupelri was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2018.

Effectiveness

In clinical studies, Yupelri improved lung function more than a placebo (a treatment with no active drug). Yupelri was compared to a placebo using a value called forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). This measures how much air you can force from your lungs in 1 second. A “normal” FEV1 is different for each person, but a higher FEV1 indicates better lung function.

People taking Yupelri improved their FEV1 by about 147 mL more than people taking a placebo.

For more information on Yupelri’s effectiveness, see the “Yupelri for COPD” section below.

Yupelri is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

Yupelri contains the drug revefenacin.

As with all medications, the cost of Yupelri can vary.

The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Your insurance plan may require you to get prior authorization before approving coverage for Yupelri. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug.

The insurance company will review the request and let you and your doctor know if your plan will cover Yupelri.

If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Yupelri, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Yupelri, help is available.

Mylan Specialty, the manufacturer of Yupelri, offers a prescription drug savings card. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 866-255-9018 or visit the program website.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Yupelri comes as a solution in individually wrapped single-use vials. It’s only available in one strength. Each vial contains 175 mcg of drug in 3 mL of solution.

Dosage for COPD

The only recommended dosage of Yupelri is one 175 mcg vial, taken once per day. Using your nebulizer, inhale one vial of Yupelri. (A nebulizer is a device that turns the drug into a mist that you inhale through a mouthpiece.) Yupelri should be taken at the same time each day.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Yupelri, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, just wait and take that dose at the usual time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a missed one. This can raise your risk for side effects.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Yupelri is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Yupelri is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term. Don’t stop taking it without talking to your doctor first.

Yupelri can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Yupelri. This list doesn’t include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of Yupelri, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs they have approved. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect you’ve had with Plavix, you can do so through MedWatch.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of Yupelri can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Yupelri aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects are discussed in more detail below. They include:

  • paradoxical bronchospasm (tightening of the airways that’s unexpected because the drug is meant to relax your airways)
  • new or worsening narrow-angle glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye)
  • new or worsening urinary retention (not being able to completely empty your bladder)
  • severe allergic reaction

Side effect details

You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug.Here’s some detail on several of the side effects this drug may cause.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Yupelri. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (warmth and redness in your skin)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Yupelri. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Paradoxical bronchospasm

Taking Yupelri can raise the risk of having paradoxical bronchospasm (tightening of the airways that’s unexpected because the drug is meant to relax your airways). It wasn’t reported in clinical studies how often paradoxical bronchospasm occurs. According to a study, paradoxical bronchospasms have happened in people with COPD using inhaled medications. However, it’s not known why this happens.

Symptoms of paradoxical bronchospasm can include:

  • wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe)
  • chest pain or tightness
  • coughing
  • fatigue (lack of energy)

If you have a paradoxical bronchospasm, use your rescue inhaler (such as a short-acting beta2-agonist) right away. Then call your doctor to let them know you experienced this side effect. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Narrow-angle glaucoma

Yupelri can cause narrow-angle glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye) or worsen the condition in people who already have it. It wasn’t reported in clinical studies how often Yupelri causes or worsens narrow-angle glaucoma. One review of studies noted that anticholinergics (the drug class Yupelri belongs to) commonly cause narrow-angle glaucoma. In serious cases, this side effect can cause vision loss.

Symptoms of narrow-angle glaucoma can include:

  • eye pain, swelling, redness, or discomfort
  • nausea or vomiting
  • sudden vision changes
  • seeing “halos” or bright colors around lights
  • blurred vision

If you’re concerned about glaucoma, talk with your doctor before taking Yupelri. If you notice symptoms of narrow-angle glaucoma, call your doctor right away. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Urinary retention

Yupelri could cause urinary retention (not being able to completely empty the bladder) or make the condition worse in someone who already has it. People with prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of prostate) or bladder-neck obstruction (blockage of bladder) have a higher risk of this side effect.

Based on a systematic review, there’s a higher risk of urinary retention in people who take inhaled anticholinergic medications. (Yupelri was not mentioned in the review, but it contains revefenacin, an anticholinergic.) Clinical studies of Yupelri didn’t report how often the drug caused urinary retention or made the condition worse.

Symptoms of urinary retention can include:

  • lower abdominal (belly) pain or discomfort
  • urge to urinate often
  • trouble starting to urinate
  • pain when urinating

If you’re concerned about urinary retention, talk with your doctor before taking Yupelri. If you notice symptoms of urinary retention, call your doctor as soon as possible.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Yupelri to treat certain conditions.

Yupelri is FDA-approved to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. COPD is a group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Yupelri works by relaxing muscles in your airways. This helps open your airways, making it easier to breathe.

In clinical studies, Yupelri was compared to a placebo (a treatment with no active drug) by measuring forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). FEV1 is the amount of air a person can force from their lungs in 1 second. People taking Yupelri improved their lung function by 146 mL to 147 mL more than people taking a placebo.

A questionnaire about symptom improvement was also given to participants. The questionnaire score ranged from zero to 100, with zero meaning they had no symptoms and 100 meaning they had the worst possible symptoms. Researchers wanted to know how many people had their symptoms improved by at least 4 points after taking their medication.

Of the people taking Yupelri, 45% to 49% had their symptoms improve by at least 4 points. In comparison, 34% to 39% of those taking a placebo had their symptoms improve by at least 4 points.

It’s common to use more than one medication to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Your doctor may prescribe other drugs for you along with Yupelri.

Most COPD medications, including Yupelri, are used to treat the condition long term. Yupelri isn’t meant to replace rescue inhalers, which can be used to treat acute symptoms of COPD throughout the day.

Examples of other medications your doctor may prescribe with Yupelri include:

  • Short-acting beta2-agonists (SABAs), such as:
  • Long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs), such as:
    • indacaterol (Arcapta Neohaler)
    • arformoterol (Brovana)
    • formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist)
    • salmeterol (Serevent)
  • inhaled corticosteroids, such as:
    • fluticasone (Flovent HFA)*
    • budesonide (Pulmicort)*
  • Certain combination medications, such as:
    • fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair Diskus and Advair HFA)
    • fluticasone/vilanterol (Breo Ellipta)
    • formoterol/budesonide (Symbicort)
    • formoterol/mometasone (Dulera)*

* This is an off-label use for this drug. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different one.

There are no known interactions between Yupelri and alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much alcohol is safe for you.

Yupelri can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Yupelri and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Yupelri. This list doesn’t contain all drugs that may interact with Yupelri.

Before taking Yupelri, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Yupelri and other anticholinergics

Yupelri belongs to a class of drugs called anticholinergics, which are drugs that block acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger in your body that affects how your body functions. Using other drugs from the same drug class as Yupelri can increase the drugs’ effect in your body. This raises your risk for having serious side effects.

Examples of other anticholinergics include:

  • ipratropium-containing drugs (Atrovent HFA, Combivent Respimat, Duoneb)
  • oxybutynin (Ditropan XL)
  • scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
  • tiotropium-containing drugs (Spiriva, Stiolto)
  • tolterodine (Detrol)
  • umeclidinium-containing drugs (Anoro Ellipta, Incruse Ellipta, Trelegy Ellipta)

If possible, you should avoid taking Yupelri with other anticholinergics. If you’re taking any of these medications, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Yupelri.

Yupelri and other drugs that increase its levels

Certain medications inhibit (slow down) the way your body breaks down Yupelri, including certain drugs used to treat infections. Taking one of these medications with Yupelri can increase the levels of Yupelri in your body. This raises your risk for having serious side effects.

Examples of other medications used to treat infection that may increase Yupelri’s levels include:

  • cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
  • rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)

If possible, you should avoid taking Yupelri with any of these medications. If you’re currently taking any of these medications, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Yupelri.

Yupelri and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Yupelri. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking Yupelri.

Yupelri and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Yupelri. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Yupelri, talk with your doctor.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Yupelri, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note: Some of the drugs listed below are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition.

Alternatives for COPD

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include:

  • long-acting bronchodilators, such as:
    • aclidinium (Tudorza Pressair)
    • arformoterol (Brovana)
    • formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist)
    • glycopyrrolate (Lonhala Magnair, Seebri Neohaler)
    • indacaterol (Arcapta Neohaler)
    • salmeterol (Serevent)
    • tiotropium (Spiriva)
    • umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta)
  • inhaled corticosteroids, such as:
    • fluticasone (Flovent HFA)
    • budesonide (Pulmicort)
  • combination inhalers, such as:
    • albuterol/ipratropium (Combivent Respimat, Duoneb)
    • fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair Diskus and Advair HFA)
    • fluticasone/vilanterol (Breo Ellipta)
    • formoterol/budesonide (Symbicort)
    • formoterol/mometasone (Dulera)
    • glycopyrrolate/formoterol (Bevespi Aerosphere)
    • glycopyrrolate/indacaterol (Utibron Neohaler)
    • tiotropium/olodaterol (Stiolto Respimat)
    • umeclidinium/vilanterol (Anoro Ellipta)
  • phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, such as:
    • roflumilast (Daliresp)
  • theophylline

You may wonder how Yupelri compares to other medications that are prescribed to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Here we look at how Yupelri and Spiriva are alike and different.

Ingredients

Yupelri contains the drug revefenacin. Spiriva HandiHaler and Spiriva Respimat contain the drug tiotropium.

Uses

Yupelri, Spiriva HandiHaler, and Spiriva Respimat are all FDA-approved to treat COPD by relaxing muscles in your airways. This helps open your airways, making it easier to breathe. Spiriva HandiHaler and Spiriva Respimat are also FDA-approved to prevent flare-ups of COPD symptoms.

In addition, Spiriva Respimat is FDA-approved to treat asthma in adults and in children ages 6 years old or older.

Drug forms and administration

Yupelri comes as a liquid solution. It’s used with a nebulizer. This is a device that turns the drug into a mist that you inhale through a mouthpiece. Yupelri is taken once per day.

Spiriva is available in two forms:

  • Spiriva HandiHaler. This form is a dry powder inhaler. To use it, you put a capsule into the device and breathe in the contents of the capsule. It is taken as two puffs from one capsule, once a day.
  • Spiriva Respimat. This form comes as a cartridge containing a liquid solution that releases a fine mist that you inhale. Spiriva Respimat is taken as two puffs, once a day for both asthma and COPD.

Side effects and risks

Yupelri and Spiriva have some similar side effects and others that differ. Below are examples of these side effects.

More common side effects

These lists contain examples of more common side effects that can occur with Yupelri, with Spiriva, or with both drugs (when taken individually).

Serious side effects

This list contains examples of serious side effects that can occur with both Yupelri and Spiriva (when taken individually).

  • severe allergic reaction
  • paradoxical bronchospasm (tightening of the airways that’s unexpected because the drug is meant to relax your airways)
  • new or worsening narrow-angle glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye)
  • new or worsening urinary retention (not being able to completely empty your bladder)

Effectiveness

Yupelri and Spiriva have different FDA-approved uses, but they’re both used to treat COPD.

The use of Yupelri and Spiriva HandiHaler for treating COPD has been directly compared in a clinical study. The study showed there was little difference between the two drugs in improving lung function over 28 days. However, Yupelri did improve lung function better in people with severe or very severe COPD. More trials are needed to confirm these results.

Costs

Yupelri and Spiriva are both brand-name drugs. There are currently no generic forms of either drug. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics.

Yupelri generally costs less than Spiriva. The actual price you would pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Yupelri and Symbicort are prescribed for similar uses. Below are details of how these medications are alike and different.

Ingredients

Yupelri contains the drug revefenacin, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). Symbicort contains budesonide (an inhaled corticosteroid) and formoterol, a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA).

Uses

Yupelri and Symbicort are both FDA-approved as maintenance (everyday) treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Symbicort is also FDA-approved to prevent flare-ups of COPD symptoms.

In addition, Symbicort is FDA-approved to treat asthma in adults and in children ages 6 years and older.

Drug forms and administration

Yupelri comes as a liquid solution that’s used with a nebulizer. This is a device that turns the drug into a mist that you inhale through a mouthpiece. Yupelri is taken once a day.

Symbicort comes in a metered-dose inhaler (a handheld device that delivers the medication to your lungs in aerosol form). It should be taken as two puffs, twice a day.

Side effects and risks

Yupelri and Symbicort have some similar side effects and others that differ. Below are examples of these side effects.

More common side effects

These lists contain examples of more common side effects that can occur with Yupelri, with Symbicort, or with both drugs (when taken individually) when used to treat COPD.

Serious side effects

These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Yupelri, with Symbicort, or with both drugs (when taken individually).

  • Can occur with Yupelri:
  • Can occur with Symbicort:
    • serious asthma attacks
    • heart-related problems, such as changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm
    • neurological problems, such as seizures or tremors
    • serious oral thrush or esophageal thrush
    • hypercorticism (high level of cortisol, a steroid hormone) and adrenal suppression (low level of cortisol)
    • immunosuppression (trouble fighting infections)
    • pneumoniacataracts
    • slowed growth in children and teens
    • low bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis
    • high blood sugar
    • low levels of potassium
  • Can occur with both Yupelri and Symbicort:
    • severe allergic reaction
    • glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye)
    • paradoxical bronchospasm (tightening of the airways that’s unexpected because the drug is meant to relax your airways)

Effectiveness

Yupelri and Symbicort have different FDA-approved uses, but they’re both used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

These drugs haven’t been directly compared in clinical studies, but studies have found both Yupelri and Symbicort to be effective for treating COPD.

Costs

Yupelri and Symbicort are both brand-name drugs. There are currently no generic forms of either drug. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics.

Yupelri costs about the same as Symbicort. The actual price you would pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

You should take Yupelri according to your doctor’s or healthcare provider’s instructions. Yupelri should only be used with your nebulizer.

Follow the step-by-step instructions (see the “Instructions for use” section) to help you take Yupelri correctly. If you have questions about how to take Yupelri, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

When to take

You should take Yupelri at the same time every day. Don’t use more than one vial each day.

Yupelri is used as a maintenance (everyday) treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults.

About COPD

COPD is a condition that includes several lung diseases that get worse over time, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

With COPD, your airways become tight and narrow. This makes it harder for air to flow through them as you breathe. Symptoms of COPD may include shortness of breath, cough, or wheezing. These symptoms usually get worse over time.

What Yupelri does

Yupelri works by relaxing the muscles in your airways. This helps open your airways, making it easier to breathe.

Yupelri contains the drug revefenacin, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). Yupelri works by attaching to receptors (docking stations) that relax the muscles in the airways of your lungs. This helps you breathe more easily.

How long does it take to work?

Yupelri begins to work as soon as you take it. However, you might not see any improvements right away because this drug is meant as a long-term treatment. You may notice a gradual improvement in your breathing and symptoms with continued use of Yupelri.

It’s not known if Yupelri is safe to take during pregnancy. This is because there haven’t been any studies to test Yupelri use in pregnant women. Animal studies didn’t show any harm to a fetus when the mother was given the drug. However, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Yupelri.

It’s unknown if Yupelri is safe to use while breastfeeding. There haven’t been any human studies to know if Yupelri passes into breast milk. In animal studies, Yupelri did pass into breast milk. However, animal studies don’t always predict what’ll happen in humans.

If you plan to breastfeed while taking Yupelri, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Yupelri.

How is nebulized treatment different from other inhaled drugs for COPD?

A nebulized treatment is given with machine called a nebulizer rather than an inhaler device. Both nebulizers and inhalers are used to give medication. Nebulizers are usually powered by electricity or batteries. They deliver medication by turning it into a mist that you inhale through a mouthpiece.

Inhalers are handheld devices that turn medication into a spray, similar to that of an aerosol can. Nebulizers may be easier to use than inhalers but can also be more expensive.

Can I use Yupelri as a rescue drug?

No, Yupelri is approved only for the long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It shouldn’t be used as a rescue treatment for sudden breathing problems. In those cases, other short-term medications can be used, such as albuterol (Proventil HFA, ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA).

Will I need to use Yupelri with other medications for COPD?

Possibly. Your doctor may prescribe other medications along with Yupelri to treat your condition. This will depend on how severe your COPD is and how your current medications are affecting your symptoms and breathing. Other classes of medications that can be prescribed for the long-term treatment of COPD include long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs) and inhaled corticosteroids. Other medications that can be used to treat sudden symptoms or attacks of COPD include short-term medications such as short-acting beta2-adreneric agonists (SABAs).

Before taking Yupelri, talk with your doctor about your health history. Yupelri may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These include:

  • Worsening COPD. You should not start Yupelri if your chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has gotten worse quickly. Yupelri has not been studied for this use. In some cases, COPD can quickly progress or become life threatening. In severe cases, COPD can cause death. If you think your disease is progressing quickly, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma. Yupelri can worsen narrow-angle glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye). If you have or have had narrow-angle glaucoma, talk with your doctor about whether Yupelri is right for you.
  • Urinary retention. Yupelri can worsen problems with urine retention (not being able to completely empty your bladder). If you have a history of urinary retention or bladder problems, talk with your doctor. Together, you can decide if Yupelri is right for you.
  • Pregnancy. It’s not known if Yupelri is safe to take during pregnancy. For more information, see the “Yupelri and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. It’s not known if Yupelri passes into breast milk. For more information, see the “Yupelri and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Yupelri, see the “Yupelri side effects” section above.

Using more than the recommended dosage of Yupelri can lead to serious side effects.

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • dizziness
  • lightheadedness
  • blurry vision
  • eye pain or redness
  • trouble seeing
  • trouble urinating
  • severe constipation

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

When you get Yupelri from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it. Also, if the solution inside a Yupelri vial is not clear and colorless, discard it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

Yupelri vials are stored in a foil pouch. The vials should only be removed from the pouch right before you use them. Yupelri should be stored at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C) away from direct sunlight and heat.

Disposal

If you no longer need to take Yupelri and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of medication.

The following information is provided for clinicians and other healthcare professionals.

Indications

Yupelri is FDA-approved for the maintenance treatment of adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Mechanism of action

Yupelri contains revefenacin, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). LAMAs work by binding to muscarinic receptors. Yupelri exerts its effect by antagonizing M3 muscarinic receptors in the airways, which causes smooth muscle relaxation and bronchodilation.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism

Yupelri achieves steady state within 7 days. The maximum concentration (Cmax) is 0.16 ng/mL and the area under the curve (AUC) is 0.22 ng·hr/mL at steady state. The active metabolite of Yupelri has a Cmax of 0.20 ng/mL and an AUC of 0.69 ng·hr/mL at steady state. The half-life of Yupelri and the active metabolite is 22 to 70 hours.

Yupelri is hepatically metabolized to its active metabolite via hydrolysis. The active metabolite has one-third to one-tenth the muscarinic activity of Yupelri, which can contribute to the drug’s antimuscarinic effects.

Contraindications

Yupelri is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients.

Storage

Yupelri should be stored at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Store it away from direct heat or sunlight.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Yupelri Images