Eklira Genuair is a commonly prescribed treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (abbreviated to COPD). Supplied in the dry powder form in an inhaler, it is very easy to use and it is sure to act quickly and efficiently to successfully mitigate the symptoms of this condition. Developed and marketed by AstraZeneca pharmaceutical company within the UK, Eklira Genuair is classified as an anticholinergic bronchodilator. As such, it acts by facilitating the relaxation of the smooth muscle tissue lining the airways, thus contributing to their dilation and subsequently, easier breathing.

What’s on this page?

What does Eklira Genuair treat?

Eklira Genuair is prescribed by medical professionals within the UK for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD for short). In turn, this term does not denote one specific condition, but a cluster of closely associated problems localised to the respiratory system and caused by a sustained long-term injury to the airways. When defined like this, COPD affects roughly three million people within the United Kingdom alone, with as much as two thirds of this number being misdiagnosed, as the condition is commonly mistaken for asthma.

How is COPD treated?

Once chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is diagnosed, the doctor will develop a treatment plan. The first step is always advising the patient to stop smoking (if he or she didn’t already) in order to prevent the condition from progressing further. In a majority of cases, this condition will require a long-term ‘maintenance’ treatment. This is exactly where Eklira Genuair comes to prominence.

The active ingredient of this medication, called aclidinium bromide, works by inhibiting preventing the naturally produced chemical acetylcholine from affefcting the muscarinic receptors which, when stimulated, will cause the further contraction of the smooth muscle tissue lining the airways. By preventing this process from taking place, Eklira Genuair will contribute to dilation of the airways through relaxation of the muscle walls lining them, thus facilitating easier breathing and smoother passage of air to the lungs. This mechanism of action is not unique to Eklira Genuair. In fact, many other COPD treatments contain active ingredients of the same class of pharmaceutical compounds, like Spiriva or Respontin to name just a few.

Can I buy Eklira Genuair online in the UK?

Yes, it is possible to buy Eklira Genuair online, however, as this is a prescription-only medicine, you can do so only with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. However, if you aren’t exactly looking forward to waiting in line in the pharmacy, getting this medicine online definitely sounds tempting.

Regardless of whether you wish to buy Eklira Genuair online or via the traditional route, you will have to obtain a prescription prior to that. Many online clinics operating within the UK will require you to visit a doctor in person and get your diagnosis confirmed before being allowed to renew your prescription and order this COPD medicine online, while others might offer you to get your first prescription following detailed consultations with a doctor.

In either option you will be asked to fill in a customised medical questionnaire that the doctor employed at the online clinic of your choice will then use to confirm your suitability for using this medication. If everything is in order, the prescription will be issued and used that very same moment to have Eklira Genuair delivered from a partner pharmacy to the address you provided during the sign up process.

How to use Eklira Genuair?

In order to ensure the best possible results when using this medication, it is highly recommended to get familiar with the specific instructions before commencing treatment. While your doctor will surely provide you with detailed guidelines, for a quick recap you can always consult the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of Eklira Genuair. Following these instructions precisely will not only increase your chances of success, but will at the same time decrease the risk of experiencing any side effects.

Some of the central points of those guidelines are presented below. However, you should keep in mind that what follows is only an excerpt used for illustrative purpose and cannot be used as a substitute for official information on the topic.

  • Always use Eklira Genuair exactly as prescribed
  • The doctor is likely to recommend inhaling one dose two times per day (once in the morning and once in the evening)
  • A single dose of Eklira Genuair remains active for 12 hours, so it is highly recommended to try and take the doses at the same time each day
  • Eklira Genuair is a maintenance treatment which means that you will need to continue taking it for as long as the doctor thinks it is necessary
  • A detailed and illustrated guide on how to use the inhaler device can be found in the official patient information leaflet
  • Never exceed the prescribed amount
  • If you accidentally miss a dose, do not try to compensate by doubling on the next one, instead simply continue with the treatment as usual

Please not that this is not a complete guide – for a step-by-step instructions on how to use this medication, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that you can find within your pack of the medication.

What are Eklira Genuair side effects?

Prior to commencing treatment with this medication, you should also get familiar with the side effects commonly associated to its use. As is the case with numerous other medications, the side effect that you should be most aware of is the possibility of an allergic reaction. So, if you notice any signs and symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction or the worsening of COPD symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor or the nearest emergency service.

Other documented side effects include headache, sinusitis, cough and diarrhoea, but also, somewhat more rarely:

  • Dizziness
  • Dryness of the mouth
  • Hoarse voice
  • Increased heart rate
  • Palpitations
  • Sight problems
  • Difficulties passing urine

Please keep in mind that this is not a full list of all known side effects. For a more comprehensive overview, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that you can find within your Eklira Genuair pack.