From the FDA Drug Label
YUPELRI is a prescription medicine used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). YUPELRI is an anticholinergic medicine. Revefenacin, the active component of YUPELRI, is an anticholinergic.
Yupelri (Revefenacin) is a prescription medicine and an anticholinergic used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It works by helping the muscles around the airways in the lungs stay relaxed to prevent symptoms such as wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath 1.
From the Research
Yupelri (revefenacin) is a once-daily, nebulized long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) medication approved for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The standard dosage is 175 mcg (3 mL) administered once daily via a standard jet nebulizer connected to an air compressor. According to the most recent study 2, Yupelri works by blocking muscarinic receptors in the airways, which helps prevent bronchoconstriction and reduces symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough in COPD patients.
Key Benefits of Yupelri
- Once-daily dosing provides convenience and may improve medication adherence
- Nebulized delivery may benefit patients who have difficulty using handheld inhalers properly or those who prefer nebulization
- Improves lung function and reduces symptoms of COPD, as demonstrated in clinical trials 2, 3
Important Considerations
- Common side effects include cough, headache, back pain, and worsening of COPD symptoms
- Patients should be aware that Yupelri is not for acute symptom relief and should continue using rescue inhalers as needed for sudden breathing problems
- The medication should be stored at room temperature and protected from light until ready for use
Clinical Evidence
The efficacy and safety of revefenacin have been demonstrated in several clinical trials, including a study published in 2021 2, which showed that revefenacin improved lung function and reduced symptoms of COPD in patients with moderate to very severe disease. Another study published in 2019 3 also demonstrated the beneficial effects of revefenacin on lung function and symptoms in patients with COPD.
Recommendation
Based on the available evidence, Yupelri (revefenacin) is a viable treatment option for patients with COPD, particularly those who require or prefer a nebulized drug delivery option. As stated in the study 2, revefenacin offers a once-daily option for LAMA therapy for patients who prefer or require nebulized drug delivery, and its availability can allow patients to combine nebulized therapies that could improve clinical outcomes in appropriately selected patients with COPD.