Incruse Ellipta®

• The dose of Incruse Ellipta is 1 inhalation once daily.
• Try to use your inhaler at the same time each day, to help you to remember to use it regularly.
• If you miss a dose, you can take it as soon as you remember. But if it's nearly time for your next dose, just take your next dose at the right time.
• Since COPD is a long-term condition, the use of Incruse Ellipta is ongoing and it needs to be used every day. Keep using your inhaler every day. Don't stop using it, even if you feel better.
• Follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to use, how often to use it and any special instructions.

To get the most benefit from your inhaler, it's important to use the correct technique. Ask your healthcare provider to show you how to use an Ellipta® inhaler.

The video below shows you how to use an Ellipta inhaler. 'Ellipta' is the name for the type of inhaler device, there are different names for each Ellipta depending on the medicines inside the inhaler.

• It's important to know the name and colour of your Ellipta, eg, Anoro®, Breo®, Incruse® or Trelegy®.
• Your Ellipta may be a different colour to the one in the video below. Read more about understanding your medicines.

Video: How to use an Ellipta inhaler

NOTE: Incruse Ellipta® comes in a foil package. Once you have opened the package, the inhaler should be used within 6 weeks. Write down the date you open it, so you know when it expires.

(Healthify He Puna Waiora & Auckland District Health Board, NZ, 2018)

Using an Ellipta inhaler

• Remove: Take the inhaler from the foil packing.
• Open: Pull back the mouth piece cover until you hear a click. Hold the inhaler upright at all times. Breath out away from the inhaler.
• Inhale your dose: Press your lips around the mouthpiece without covering the air vents on either side. Begin to breathe in rapidly and deeply through your mouth. Hold your breath for up to 10 seconds. Breathe out slowly. Close the mouth piece cover.

Cleaning and storing an Ellipta inhaler 
Clean your inhaler once a week by wiping the mouthpiece with a clean dry tissue. Don't wash the mouthpiece or allow it to get wet when cleaning. Close the inhaler when you're not using it. Store it in a cool dry place, away from heat and moisture.

When to start a new Ellipta inhaler
There's a window on the front of your Ellipta inhaler called a dose counter. When it turns red it's time to get a new inhaler.

Here are some things to know when you're using Incruse Ellipta inhaler. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

• Incruse Ellipta is a dry powder that contains lactose: It's safe to use Incruse Ellipta if you're lactose intolerant. However, if you have been diagnosed with a milk protein allergy (hypersensitivity) you should talk to your healthcare provider before you use Incruse Ellipta.
• Keep track of your doses so you don't run out: Incruse Ellipta has a dose counter so you know exactly how many doses are left in the inhaler and you will know when you need to get a new one. Your inhaler has 30 doses. The dose counter counts down by 1 each time you open the cover. If you open and close the cover of the Incruse Ellipta® inhaler without inhaling the medicine, you will lose that dose. When less than 10 doses are left, the counter shows red, so then it's time to contact your doctor for a new inhaler. When it shows ‘0’ it will be empty.
• Expiry date: Incruse Ellipta comes in a foil package. Once you've opened the package, the inhaler should be used within 6 weeks. Write down the date you open it, so you know.
• Taking other medicines: Incruse Ellipta may interact with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting Incruse Ellipta and before starting any new products.
• Pregnancy: Incruse Ellipta isn't usually recommended for use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you're pregnant, if you think you may be pregnant or if you're planning to have a baby,
• Check your inhaler technique regularly: It's also important to know how to use your inhalers correctly, otherwise you may not be getting enough medicine into your lungs. Ask your healthcare provider to watch you use your inhaler so you can be sure you're doing it properly.
• If your inhaler doesn't seem to be working as well, check with your healthcare team: Some people with COPD may not have enough strength to breathe in to use an Ellipta inhaler. Your healthcare team may be able to check this by measuring your inspiratory flow rate in the clinic or hospital.

Like all medicines Incruse Ellipta can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine.

Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.