Drug reference
Aclidinium
Antimuscarinic · Airways disease, obstructive
Also known as Aclidinium bromide
AntimuscarinicAirways disease, obstructive
CDSCO approved
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
—
none in our sources
PREGNANCY
Manufacturer advises use only if potential benefit outweighs risk.
FDA category + note
Mechanism
Aclidinium is an antimuscarinic agent, functioning as a synthetic analog of atropine. It acts by antagonizing muscarinic receptors, particularly M3 receptors in the airways, to inhibit the vagally-mediated bronchoconstrictor reflex. This blockade leads to bronchodilation, which is beneficial in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Indications
Maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Dosing
- Adult
- 375 micrograms twice daily by inhalation of powder
- Geriatric
- Prescription potentially inappropriate (STOPP criteria) with a history of narrow-angle glaucoma (may exacerbate glaucoma) or bladder outflow obstruction (may cause urinary retention).
Pharmacokinetics
Metabolism
Rapid hydrolysis in plasma to inactive metabolites
Contraindications
- Arrhythmia (when newly diagnosed within last 3 months)
- Heart failure (hospitalisation with moderate or severe heart failure within last 12 months)
- Myocardial infarction within last 6 months
- Unstable angina
- Bladder outflow obstruction
- Paradoxical bronchospasm
- Prostatic hyperplasia
- Susceptibility to angle-closure glaucoma
- History of narrow-angle glaucoma
Side effects
Common
DiarrhoeaNasopharyngitisDry mouth
Serious
- Angioedema
- Hypersensitivity
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Manufacturer advises use only if potential benefit outweighs risk.
Lactation
Manufacturer advises only use if potential benefits outweigh risks.
Related guidelines
Other Antimuscarinic drugs
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Sources: Goodman & Gilman 14e, Katzung, BNF·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team