| ATC Code | D11AA01 |
| CAS number | 596-51-0 |
| PUB number | 11693 |
| Drugbank ID | DB00986 |
| Empirical formula | C19H28NO3 |
| Molar mass (g·mol−1) | 318,4305 |
| Physical state | solid |
| Melting point (°C) | 193-194,5 |
| PKS value | 11,53 |
| Solubility | 0.000944 mg/mL |
Glycopyrronium is an active ingredient used to dilate the bronchi, i.e. the airways in the lungs, and is therefore used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma. It is also used to treat excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and is used in anesthetic medicine (anesthesia) during operations to reduce salivation and secretion in the throat (pharynx). Glycopyrronium belongs to the group of parasympatholytics.
Glycopyrronium binds to the muscarinic receptors as a competitive antagonist. It thus blocks the receptors to which acetylcholine, a messenger substance (neurotransmitter), otherwise binds. This prevents or at least weakens the effect of acetylcholine. Glycopyrronium is therefore an antagonist of acetylcholine and weakens its effect. The muscarinic receptors of type M1 and M3 experience the strongest attenuation, which cause a constriction of the bronchi and a reduction in sweating. The muscle tension of the bronchi is released and they widen, allowing more air to flow through. The strong sweat-reducing effect was originally regarded as a side effect, but has been approved as an active ingredient for external (topical) use, i.e. as an ointment, cream, gel, etc., since 2022. As the muscarinic receptors M1 and M3 are also present in the cardiovascular system, side effects are more likely to occur there. The advantages of glycopyrronium are that it acts very quickly and for a very long time.
Glycopyrronium is broken down by the liver (mainly via CYP2D6) and 85% is excreted via the kidneys. The plasma half-life, i.e. the time it takes the body to excrete half of the active ingredient, is around 55 minutes. It is 38-44% bound to plasma proteins.
Always take Glycopyrronium exactly as described in the package leaflet or as advised by your doctor.
Glycopyrronium is available as an inhaler or tablet for the treatment of asthma and COPD, and as a cream or tablet for the treatment of excessive sweating. It is also used in operating theaters as a solution for injection and given to children as an oral solution ("juice") to treat excessive salivation. Due to the many different forms of use (application methods), it is not possible to speak of a common dose.
The following side effects may occur:
Very common:
Frequent:
Occasionally:
Frequency unknown:
Interactions may occur if the following medicines are taken at the same time:
Glycopyrronium must not be taken in the following cases
The use for children under 3 years of age is not permitted.
Glycopyrronium should not be used during pregnancy, as no experience reports are available.
Glycopyrronium should not be used during breastfeeding because it is not known whether it passes into breast milk and because glycopyrronium is known to inhibit milk secretion (lactation).
Thomas Hofko
Mag. pharm. Stefanie Lehenauer
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