Breztri Aerosphere vs Trelegy Ellipta

Breztri aerosphere and Trelegy Ellipta are brand names for prescription drugs used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Trelegy Ellipta is also recommended for the treatment of asthma whereas Breztri aerosphere is not.

Here we will explain how they work, their similarities and differences, their side effects, and more. This should provide you with the basics to better understand your options.

What is Breztri aerosphere?

Breztri aerosphere is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by AstraZeneca.

It is a combination of budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), glycopyrrolate, a long-acting anticholinergic (sometimes called a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)), and formoterol fumarate, a long-acting beta2-agonist ((LABA) bronchodilator), indicated for the maintenance treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). COPD is a chronic lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. Breztri aerosphere will significantly reduce the annual rate of moderate or severe COPD exacerbations.

Breztri Aerosphere is not for the treatment of asthma, sudden breathing problems, or acute bronchospasm. It is not a rescue inhaler. LABA medicines increase the risk of hospitalizations and death when used alone. Breztri Aerosphere contains an ICS, an anticholinergic, and a LABA. When an ICS and LABA are used together, there is not a significant risk of hospitalizations and deaths from asthma problems. Breztri Aerosphere can improve lung function and reduce the number of COPD flare-ups you have.

Breztri aerosphere dosage

Breztri aerosphere is available as an inhalation aerosol, in the following doses: Pressurized metered-dose inhaler containing a combination of budesonide (160 mcg), glycopyrrolate (9 mcg), and formoterol fumarate (4.8 mcg) per inhalation.

Please read the full prescribing information and patient information for patient safety information, and always speak with a healthcare professional for medical advice or about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.

What is Trelegy Ellipta?

Trelegy Ellipta is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). It is the first FDA-approved, single inhaler, triple therapy for once-daily maintenance treatment of both asthma and COPD in the U.S.

Trelegy Ellipta is an inhaled medication prescribed to adults to reduce the daily symptoms and the likelihood of flare-ups of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps to reduce inflammation and relax your airways and lungs, opening them up and making it easier for you to breathe. Trelegy combines three active ingredients called fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol. They work together to help you breathe more easily and to reduce your asthma and COPD symptoms.

Fluticasone furoate is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) that reduces inflammation in your airways and lungs. It works by attaching to the surface of cells in your airways and lungs at sites called glucocorticoid receptors. This stimulates the receptors, making the cells produce less of the substances that trigger inflammation and more of the substances that reduce inflammation.

Umeclidinium is an anticholinergic bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles in your airways and lungs. It works by attaching to muscarinic receptors on the surface of your muscle cells. This blocks the receptors, stopping them from being stimulated, causing your muscle tissue to relax, and opening up your airways and lungs.

Vilanterol is classed as a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA). It also helps to relax the muscle tissue in your airways and lungs. It attaches to receptors on the surface of your muscle tissue called beta-adrenoreceptors, which stimulate the receptors, causing the muscle tissue to relax.

Trelegy Ellipta dosage

Trelegy Ellipta is available as a dry powder inhaler for oral inhalation. One strip contains fluticasone furoate 100 mcg per blister and the other contains umeclidinium/vilanterol 62.5 mcg/25 mcg per blister.

Trelegy Ellipta is a once-daily medication used to treat COPD, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Trelegy is not a fast-acting medication and will not replace a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems.

Please read the prescribing information provided with your medication and always speak with your healthcare provider about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.

Common side effects of Breztri aerosphere and Trelegy Ellipta

The most common side effects of Breztri aerosphere in clinical trials include:

• Upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia
• Back pain, muscle spasm
• Oral thrush, cough, sinusitis
• Influenza
• Urinary tract infection
• Diarrhea

More serious side effects of Breztri aerosphere include:

• Potential worsening of infections such as existing tuberculosis, fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, ocular herpes simplex
• Risk of impaired adrenal function
• Hypercorticism and adrenal suppression
• Paradoxical bronchospasm
• Glaucoma and cataracts, worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma
• Worsening of urinary retention
• Hypokalemia – low levels of potassium may cause symptoms of muscle spasm, muscle weakness, or abnormal heart rhythm
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels)
• Effects on your heart – increased blood pressure, a fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain
• Serious allergic reactions – rash, hives, swelling of your face, mouth, and tongue, breathing problems

The most common side effects of Trelegy Ellipta in clinical trials include:

• Headaches
• Sore throat, cough
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Muscle and joint pain
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhea, constipation
• Painful and frequent urination
• Fungal infections (candida/thrush) in your mouth and throat – this is less likely if you rinse your mouth out with water after taking your Trelegy Ellipta
• Increase in upper respiratory tract infections, like the common cold, the flu, and sinus infections
• Bronchitis
• Changes in taste

More serious side effects of Trelegy Ellipta include:

• Life-threatening allergic reactions including rashes, itching, swelling in your face, tongue, and throat, chest pain, and shortness of breath
• An increased risk of developing pneumonia if you also have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• A weakened immune system
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Sudden worsening of your asthma symptoms, including asthma attacks (paradoxical bronchospasm)
• Increased blood pressure
• Fast and/or irregular heartbeat
• Osteoporosis
• An increased risk of eye problems, including glaucoma, cataracts, and blurred vision
• Slowed rates of growth in children

These aren’t all the side effects Breztri aerosphere or Trelegy Ellipta can cause. You can find more details in the patient leaflet that comes with your medication. Talk to your physician or pharmacist if you have any concerns about side effects.

Breztri aerosphere and Trelegy Ellipta drug interactions

Breztri aerosphere can interact with other medications. These include:

• Strong cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors – ketoconazole, ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole
• Other adrenergic drugs
• Diuretics
• Xanthine derivatives or steroids
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants
• Beta-blockers
• Anticholinergics

Trelegy Ellipta can interact with other medications. These include:

• Anticholinergic – tiotropium, ipratropium, or aclidinium
• Long-acting beta agonists (LABA) – salmeterol, formoterol, arformoterol, olodaterol, or indacaterol
• Other medications that contain steroids
• Any medications taken to treat bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, including an HIV infection, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, nelfinavir, or cobicistat

Breztri aerosphere and Trelegy Ellipta can interact with other medications. This can change how Breztri aerosphere and Trelegy Ellipta and other medications work and can make side effects more likely. Tell your prescribing physician about all your drugs, including vitamins and dietary supplements.

Breztri aerosphere and Trelegy Ellipta contraindications

You should not use Breztri aerosphere if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient budesonide, glycopyrrolate, or formoterol fumarate
• Have had an allergic reaction to any of the other ingredients in Breztri aerosphere

Talk to your doctor before using Breztri aerosphere if you:

• Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Breztri aerosphere
• Have hepatic impairment
• Have renal impairment
• Have heart problems or high blood pressure
• Suffer from seizures
• Have thyroid problems
• Have diabetes
• Have osteoporosis
• Have problems with your immune system
• Have eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts
• Have prostate or bladder problems, or problems passing urine
• Have a viral, bacterial, parasitic, or fungal infection
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

You should not use Trelegy Ellipta if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, or vilanterol
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Trelegy Ellipta
• Have a severe milk protein allergy
• Are taking another medication that contains long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) or an anticholinergic active ingredient
• Are under 18 years of age

Talk to your doctor before using Trelegy Ellipta if you:

• Have any heart problems
• Have any problems with your immune system
• Have any liver problems
• Have high blood pressure
• Suffer from seizures
• Have diabetes
• Have any eye problems, including cataracts or glaucoma
• Have osteoporosis
• Have any thyroid problems
• Have or have ever had any problems with your adrenal glands
• Have an active infection
• Have recently been around someone who has measles or chickenpox
• Have a mild to moderate milk protein allergy
• Have any prostate or bladder problems, or problems passing urine
• Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

Other drugs for COPD

• Anoro Ellipta
• Bevespi Aerosphere
• Breo Ellipta
• Symbicort
• Spiriva
• Advair

If you have any concerns about Breztri aerosphere or Trelegy Ellipta side effects, talk to your physician, or pharmacist for medical advice. Also inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, supplements, and over-the-counter meds you are taking. You are also encouraged to report side effects to the FDA: visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.