Yupelri (revefenacin) is a brand-name medication prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. As with other drugs, Yupelri can cause side effects, such as headache, cough, and throat pain.

Yupelri can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Yupelri in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Yupelri use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Yupelri’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects reported with Yupelri include:

  • headache
  • cough
  • runny nose
  • back pain
  • upper respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold
  • throat pain
  • dizziness

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Yupelri and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Yupelri may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Yupelri’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while using Yupelri, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Yupelri can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep using the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Yupelri, your doctor may recommend using a different medication instead.

Yupelri may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do the side effects of Yupelri compare with those of Trelegy Ellipta?

Yupelri and Trelegy Ellipta have some of the same side effects, but many are different. Yupelri is in a class of drugs called anticholinergics. It helps relax the muscles around the airway in your lungs so you can breathe easier.

Trelegy Ellipta is a combination of three different classes of drugs. It contains an anticholinergic, a corticosteroid, which reduces inflammation in your lungs, and a long-acting beta2 agonist that relaxes your airways. Trelegy Ellipta is used to treat COPD and asthma.

Side effects of both Yupelri and Trelegy Ellipta may include:

  • headache
  • cough
  • upper respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold
  • runny nose

Since Yupelri doesn’t contain a steroid or a long-acting beta2 agonist, it may cause fewer side effects than Trelegy Ellipta.

Trelegy Ellipta may also cause serious side effects that aren’t known with Yupelri, such as:

If you have questions about how the side effects of Yupelri and Trelegy Ellipta compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Yupelri cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Yupelri can cause or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma, which can lead to permanent vision problems if not treated. However, this is not common.

If you have any concerns about the long-term side effects of Yupelri, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Yupelri may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Yupelri.

Urinary retention

Some people who use Yupelri can develop urinary retention (problems emptying the bladder). But it’s not known how often this occured in clinical trials.

Symptoms of urinary retention may include:

  • urinating often
  • pain when urinating
  • difficulty urinating
  • a weak urine stream

If you already have problems urinating, Yupelri could make your symptoms worse. People with prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) or bladder-neck obstruction (blockage of the bladder) may have a higher risk of urinary retention.

What you can do

If you have any problems or pain while urinating, talk with your doctor right away before taking another dose of Yupelri.

Paradoxical bronchospasm

Similar to other inhaled medications, Yupelri can cause paradoxical bronchospasm. With paradoxical bronchospasm, your airways unexpectedly tighten instead of relaxing right after inhaling your dose. This causes your breathing to worsen. In some cases, it could cause serious problems which may be life threatening. It’s unknown how often this side effect occured in clinical trials.

Symptoms of paradoxical bronchospasm may include:

  • difficulty breathing
  • coughing
  • wheezing
  • chest tightness

What you can do

If you notice sudden breathing problems after inhaling your dose, use your rescue inhaler, such as a short-acting beta2 agonist, right away. Stop using Yupelri and call your doctor. They’ll likely prescribe a different medication to treat your COPD.

If you feel like you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

You should consider the following important information before using Yupelri.

Other precautions

Before using Yupelri, discuss your health history with your doctor. Yupelri may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • liver problems
  • narrow-angle glaucoma
  • urinary retention
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.