Glycopyrrolate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 15, 2024.

Applies to glycopyrrolate: inhalation solution.

Other dosage forms:

• oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating
• solution

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for any unwanted effects.

Tell your doctor if you are also using other medicines for your COPD. Your doctor may want you to stop using the other medicine and use it only during a severe COPD attack. Follow your doctor's instructions on how you should take your medicine.

This medicine should not be used if you are having a severe COPD attack, or if symptoms of COPD attack have already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an acute COPD attack. If the other medicine does not work as well, tell your doctor right away.

Talk to your doctor or get medical care right away if:

• your symptoms do not improve after using this medicine within a few days or if they become worse.
• your short-acting inhaler does not seem to be working as well as usual and you need to use it more often.

This medicine may cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which means your breathing or wheezing will get worse. Paradoxical bronchospasm may be life-threatening. Check with your doctor right away if you are having a cough, difficulty with breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing after using this medicine.

If you develop a skin rash, hives, swelling of the tongue, lips, or face, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, check with your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, seeing halos around lights, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of glycopyrrolate

Along with its needed effects, glycopyrrolate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking glycopyrrolate:

Less common side effects

• bladder pain
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• bloody or cloudy urine
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficult or labored breathing
• frequent urge to urinate
• lower back or side pain
• rapid weight gain
• tightness in the chest
• tingling of the hands or feet
• unusual weight gain or loss

Rare side effects

• fast heartbeat
• fever
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• hoarseness
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• redness of the skin
• troubled swallowing

Incidence not known

• blindness
• blurred vision
• decrease in the frequency of urination
• decrease in the urine volume
• decreased vision
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• eye pain or discomfort, or red eyes
• headache
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• nausea
• seeing halos around lights
• tearing
• vomiting

Other side effects of glycopyrrolate

Some side effects of glycopyrrolate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common side effects

• body aches or pain
• chills
• cough
• ear congestion
• loss of voice
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• sneezing
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare side effects

• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• loss of appetite
• loss of consciousness
• pain in the arms or legs
• stomachache
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• unexplained weight loss
• weakness

See also:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to glycopyrrolate: compounding powder, inhalation capsule, inhalation solution, injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.

Gastrointestinal adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Dry mouth (40%), vomiting (40%), constipation (35%)
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal distension, abdominal pain, stomach discomfort, chapped lips, flatulence, retching, dry tongue^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Flushing (30%)
• Frequency not reported: Heart rate increase, pallor^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (15%)
• Frequency not reported: Convulsion, dysgeusia, nystagmus
• Postmarketing reports: Loss of taste^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary retention (15%)
• Postmarketing reports: Suppression of lactation^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Sinusitis (15%), upper respiratory tract infection (15%)
• Frequency not reported: Pneumonia, tracheostomy infection, urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Nasal congestion (30%)
• Frequency not reported: Increased viscosity of bronchial secretion, nasal dryness^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Irritability, agitation, restlessness, abnormal behavior, aggression, crying, impulse control disorder, moaning, mood altered^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Dry skin, pruritus, rash^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Dehydration^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Pain^[Ref]

Further information

Glycopyrrolate side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer