Seebri Breezhaler
Active Substance: glycopyrronium bromide
Common Name: glycopyrronium bromide
ATC Code: R03BB06
Marketing Authorisation Holder: Novartis Europharm Ltd
Active Substance: glycopyrronium bromide
Status: Authorised
Authorisation Date: 2012-09-28
Therapeutic Area: Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Drugs for obstructive airway diseases
Therapeutic indication
Seebri Breezhaler is indicated as a maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What is Seebri Breezhaler and what is it used for?
Seebri Breezhaler is a medicine that is used to relieve the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. COPD is a long-term disease in which the airways and air sacs inside the lungs become damaged or blocked, leading to difficulty breathing. Seebri Breezhaler is used for maintenance (regular) treatment.
Seebri Breezhaler contains the active substance glycopyrronium bromide.
How is Seebri Breezhaler used?
Seebri Breezhaler capsules, which contain a powder for inhalation, are only used with the Seebri Breezhaler inhaler and must not be swallowed. To take a dose, the patient places a capsule into the inhaler and breathes in through the mouth the powder from the capsule. For detailed information on how to use the inhaler correctly, see the instructions in the package leaflet.
The recommended dose is one capsule once a day at the same time each day. Patients should not use more than one capsule in a day.
Seebri Breezhaler can only be obtained with a prescription.
How does Seebri Breezhaler work?
The active substance in Seebri Breezhaler, glycopyrronium bromide, is a muscarinic receptor antagonist. This means that it widens the airways by blocking muscarinic receptors (targets) in muscle cells in the lungs. Muscarinic receptors control the contraction of muscles and when glycopyrronium bromide is inhaled, it relaxes the muscles of the airways. This helps to keep the airways open and allows the patient to breathe more easily.
What benefits of Seebri Breezhaler have been shown in studies?
Seebri Breezhaler was found to be more effective than placebo (a dummy treatment) at relieving symptoms of COPD in two main studies involving a total of 1,888 patients with COPD. In both studies, the main measure of effectiveness was improvement in patients’ forced expiratory volumes (FEV1, the maximum volume of air a person can breathe out in one second).
After 12 weeks of treatment, Seebri Breezhaler increased FEV1 by 97 ml more than with placebo in the first study, and by 108 ml more in the second study.
What are the risks associated with Seebri Breezhaler?
The most common side effects with Seebri Breezhaler (seen in more than 1 patient in 100) are dry mouth, nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the nose and throat), insomnia (difficulty sleeping), muscle and bone pain and gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting). For the full list of all side effects and restrictions with Seebri Breezhaler, see the package leaflet.
Why is Seebri Breezhaler approved?
The Agency noted that Seebri Breezhaler had a modest but relevant benefit for patients in terms of improving lung function, and also improved the symptoms of COPD. The Agency also noted that the fact that the medicine is used once a day may help patients to adhere to their treatment. In addition, there were no major safety concerns with Seebri Breezhaler, with side effects similar to other muscarinic receptor antagonist medicines. Therefore, the Agency decided that Seebri Breezhaler’s benefits are greater than its risks and recommended that it be given marketing authorisation.
What measures are being taken to ensure the safe use of Seebri Breezhaler?
As muscarinic receptor antagonist medicines may have an effect on the heart and blood vessels, the company that markets Seebri Breezhaler will continue to closely monitor the medicine’s cardiovascular effects and will carry out a further study in patients to identify any potential risks.
Recommendations and precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and patients for the safe and effective use of Seebri Breezhaler have also been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet.
Other information about Seebri Breezhaler
The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union for Seebri Breezhaler on 28 September 2012.
For more information about treatment with Seebri Breezhaler, read the package leaflet (also part of the EPAR) or contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
