Comprehensive medication guide to Incruse Ellipta including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$20–$60 copay for commercially insured patients; Incruse Ellipta may be Tier 3 or Tier 4 on some formularies and may require prior authorization. With the GSK 'Pay No More Than $35' coupon, eligible commercially insured patients pay as little as $35 per fill for up to 12 fills.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$350–$415 retail for brand-name Incruse Ellipta (30-day supply inhaler); as low as $203.90 with a GoodRx coupon or $254.53 with SingleCare at participating pharmacies. No generic version is currently available.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Incruse Ellipta is the brand name for umeclidinium inhalation powder, a prescription maintenance inhaler manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and FDA-approved since 2013. It is indicated for the long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Incruse Ellipta belongs to the drug class known as long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) — also called anticholinergic bronchodilators. Each blister in the Ellipta dry powder inhaler device delivers 62.5 mcg of umeclidinium. The inhaler contains 30 pre-loaded doses (a 30-day supply) and expires 6 weeks after the foil tray is opened.
Incruse Ellipta is not a rescue inhaler and is not approved for use in asthma. It should not be used in children. As of 2026, there is no FDA-approved generic version of Incruse Ellipta; the earliest possible generic entry under current patent protections is December 2027.
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Incruse Ellipta works by blocking muscarinic receptors (M1, M2, and M3 subtypes) in the smooth muscle cells lining the bronchial airways. Normally, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine binds to these receptors and causes the airway muscles to contract — narrowing the airways and making it harder to breathe. In COPD patients, this bronchoconstriction contributes to chronic breathlessness, wheezing, and cough.
Umeclidinium binds tightly to these receptors and prevents acetylcholine from attaching. Without the contraction signal, the smooth muscles surrounding the airways remain relaxed — a state called bronchodilation. The airways stay wider and allow air to move more freely in and out of the lungs, reducing the breathlessness and effort of breathing associated with COPD.
Umeclidinium has slow dissociation kinetics — it binds tightly to muscarinic receptors and releases slowly — which allows a single daily dose to maintain bronchodilation for 24 hours or more. In clinical trials, umeclidinium 62.5 mcg once daily improved trough FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) by approximately 127 mL more than placebo after 12 weeks of treatment. In head-to-head trials, it showed approximately 53–59 mL greater FEV1 improvement than tiotropium (Spiriva).
62.5 mcg — inhalation powder
One actuation once daily via Ellipta dry powder inhaler. Maximum: 1 inhalation per 24 hours.
As of early 2026, Incruse Ellipta is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list and GlaxoSmithKline has not declared a manufacturing shortage. However, patients frequently experience localized difficulty finding it at their pharmacy. Incruse Ellipta is a brand-name-only LAMA inhaler with no generic, which means pharmacies stock it based solely on local patient demand. Many pharmacies prioritize higher-volume combination inhalers (Anoro Ellipta, Trelegy Ellipta) and may not regularly carry Incruse Ellipta monotherapy.
Patients in suburban, rural, or lower-density areas may be more likely to encounter stockouts at their usual pharmacy. Urban pharmacies with higher COPD patient volumes tend to stock it more consistently. Insurance-related issues — including prior authorization requirements and formulary tier restrictions — can also make it appear unavailable when the issue is actually a coverage denial.
If you're having trouble finding Incruse Ellipta at your pharmacy, medfinder can help. medfinder contacts pharmacies near your zip code to check which ones can fill your prescription and texts you the results — saving you hours of phone calls.
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. This means any licensed healthcare provider with standard prescribing authority can prescribe it — no special DEA certification or REMS program is required. The medication is appropriate for adults with confirmed COPD diagnosis.
Types of providers who commonly prescribe Incruse Ellipta include:
Telehealth is a viable option for Incruse Ellipta prescriptions. Since umeclidinium is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed through virtual visits in most states. Telehealth providers can evaluate COPD symptoms, review existing pulmonary function test results, and renew or initiate maintenance inhaler prescriptions via video consultation — making access easier for patients in rural areas or those with mobility limitations.
No. Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. There are no federal prescribing restrictions beyond standard medical licensure for this medication. Any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority — including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — can write a prescription for Incruse Ellipta without special DEA registration or certification.
Because it is not a controlled substance, Incruse Ellipta can also be prescribed via telehealth in most U.S. states, making it accessible through virtual pulmonology and primary care visits. There are no restrictions on refills beyond standard insurance plan rules (such as quantity limits or prior authorization requirements). Prescriptions can typically be refilled for up to one year from the date of the original prescription, depending on your state.
In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions with Incruse Ellipta 62.5 mcg (occurring in ≥2% of patients and more frequently than placebo) were:
Contact your doctor or seek emergency care immediately for:
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Tiotropium (Spiriva HandiHaler/Respimat)
Most widely prescribed LAMA; comparable bronchodilator efficacy; available as 18 mcg dry powder capsule (HandiHaler) or 2.5 mcg soft mist inhaler (Respimat); once daily.
Aclidinium (Tudorza Pressair)
LAMA bronchodilator; 400 mcg twice daily via dry powder inhaler; similar mechanism and side effect profile.
Revefenacin (Yupelri)
Once-daily LAMA delivered via nebulizer; 175 mcg; option for patients who cannot use a dry powder inhaler.
Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium + vilanterol)
Once-daily LAMA/LABA combination inhaler containing the same umeclidinium (62.5 mcg) plus vilanterol (25 mcg); step-up option when added LABA is clinically warranted.
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Tiotropium (Spiriva)
majorBoth are LAMAs — additive anticholinergic effects. Do not use together. Risk of urinary retention, glaucoma worsening, severe dry mouth.
Ipratropium (Atrovent)
majorShort-acting anticholinergic — additive anticholinergic effects. Do not combine with Incruse Ellipta.
Aclidinium (Tudorza)
majorBoth are LAMAs — additive anticholinergic effects. Avoid concurrent use.
Glycopyrronium (Seebri)
majorBoth are LAMAs — additive anticholinergic effects. Avoid concurrent use.
Oxybutynin / Tolterodine (overactive bladder meds)
moderateSystemic anticholinergics that increase total anticholinergic burden. Risk of urinary retention significantly increased when combined.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
moderateFirst-generation antihistamine with anticholinergic properties. Increases total anticholinergic burden; risk of confusion, dry mouth, urinary retention especially in elderly.
Donepezil / Galantamine (cholinesterase inhibitors)
moderateWork by increasing acetylcholine — directly counteracts umeclidinium's mechanism. May reduce effectiveness of Incruse Ellipta.
Glucagon
moderateBoth glucagon and anticholinergics inhibit GI motility — additive risk of severe constipation and GI adverse reactions.
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) is a well-tolerated, once-daily LAMA inhaler that plays an important role in the maintenance management of COPD. Its once-daily dosing, clinically proven bronchodilation, and the convenience of the pre-loaded Ellipta device make it a practical option for patients with moderate to severe COPD who need long-term airway management.
The primary challenges patients face with Incruse Ellipta in 2026 are cost and pharmacy availability. As a brand-name-only product with no generic available until at least December 2027, it retails at $350–$415 per 30-day inhaler. The GSK 'Pay No More Than $35' savings coupon provides significant relief for commercially insured patients, and the GSK For You Patient Assistance Program supports uninsured and underinsured individuals who qualify. GoodRx coupons offer an accessible middle-ground for those who don't qualify for manufacturer programs.
If you're struggling to find Incruse Ellipta at your local pharmacy, start your search early — before you run out of doses. Use medfinder to identify which pharmacies near you currently have it in stock without making call after call. Your COPD treatment depends on consistent daily use — don't let a stocking issue interrupt your therapy.
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