Key takeaways:
Trelegy Ellipta is a once-daily inhaler that combines three medications: fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol. It’s approved to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma symptoms.
It’s best to use your Trelegy Ellipta inhaler at the same time every day to help prevent symptom flare-ups. Be sure to rinse your mouth with water after your dose to lower the risk of an oral yeast infection called thrush.
Don’t open Trelegy Ellipta’s cover until you’re ready for your dose. Closing it without using the inhaler first will result in a lost dose. Once the inhaler counter reads “0,” throw it away. But if doses are still left inside, the inhaler can be used for up to 6 weeks after opening.
There are ways to save on Trelegy Ellipta. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card can help you get Trelegy Ellipta for as little as $0 per prescription. A patient assistance program is also available.
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Trelegy Ellipta is a once-daily inhaler that combines three medications — fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol. It’s approved to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma symptoms. If you have one of these respiratory conditions, Trelegy Ellipta may be a convenient treatment option.
So, how do you get the most out of your Trelegy Ellipta inhaler? First, make sure that you feel comfortable using it. Proper storage and dose preparation are also key. There are steps you can take to manage certain side effects, too. Below are details on how to use Trelegy Ellipta, plus five tips for getting the most out of your inhaler.
How to use Trelegy Ellipta
Trelegy Ellipta is used once daily. Your care team should show you how to use your inhaler properly. But if you need a refresher, the manufacturer recommends following these steps:
Prepare your dose. When you’re ready to take your dose, open your Trelegy Ellipta inhaler. You should hear a click.
Breathe out. Move the inhaler away from your mouth and breathe out fully.
Inhale the medication. Put your inhaler between your lips and inhale deeply through your mouth (not your nose).
Hold your breath. Remove your inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for 3 to 4 seconds.
Breathe out. Breathe out slowly. You may not taste the medicine. But that doesn’t mean the inhaler didn’t work. Don’t take an extra dose. Doing so may raise the risk of side effects.
Rinse your mouth. After using your inhaler, close it. If needed, you can always clean your mouthpiece with a dry tissue. But you don’t have to clean the inhaler every time you use it.
You can find more detailed instructions about how to take Trelegy Ellipta here. If you have questions about using your inhaler, talk to your care team or ask your pharmacist.
Tips for using Trelegy Ellipta
Knowing how to use your Trelegy Ellipta inhaler is one way to make sure you’re getting the most out of it. Below are five more tips to keep in mind when using Trelegy Ellipta.
1. Leave Trelegy Ellipta in the unopened foil tray until your first use
Trelegy Ellipta comes in a foil tray that protects the medication from moisture. Moisture can damage your medication and make it ineffective. So, it’s important to leave your inhaler tray closed until you’re ready to use it for the first time.
Like most medications, Trelegy Ellipta should be stored in a dry place, away from heat and sunlight, to prevent damage. The manufacturer recommends storing it between 68°F and 77°F.
Don’t store your inhaler in the bathroom, as the humidity may damage it. And avoid leaving the inhaler in the car, as it might be exposed to extreme temperatures.
2. Only open Trelegy Ellipta’s cover when you’re ready for a dose
Every time you open the cover of your Trelegy Ellipta inhaler, the medication is ready for you to inhale. Closing the cover without inhaling will result in the loss of your dose. Only open the cover when you’re ready to inhale your dose.
When you slide the cover of your inhaler, you should hear a clicking sound. The counter of the inhaler should go down by one number. This means that your inhaler is ready for use. Don’t close it until after you inhale your medication.
If this doesn’t happen, contact your care team or your pharmacist. It may mean that your inhaler isn’t working as it should.
3. Rinse your mouth after using Trelegy Ellipta to prevent thrush
As mentioned above, Trelegy Ellipta contains fluticasone — a steroid. Inhaling steroids by mouth can increase your risk of developing oral thrush, a yeast infection of the mouth.
Be sure to rinse your mouth with water after using Trelegy Ellipta to decrease the amount of fluticasone left in your mouth. Incorporating this step into your routine can help lower your risk of developing thrush. Good oral hygiene, including brushing your teeth and using mouthwash, can also go a long way.
But if you notice yellow or white patches in your mouth after starting Trelegy Ellipta, tell your prescriber. They can recommend a topical or oral antifungal medication to treat the infection.
4. Use Trelegy Ellipta at the same time every day
Trelegy Ellipta doesn’t start working right away — it typically takes some time before you notice symptom improvement. And after you’ve inhaled your dose, the medication’s effects last for 24 hours. For this reason, Trelegy Ellipta is used as a maintenance inhaler to prevent symptoms of COPD or asthma. It works best when used every day at the same time.
That said, life can get busy, and sometimes you may forget to take your dose. If this happens, take your Trelegy Ellipta dose as soon as you remember. But don’t take more than one inhalation per day. This can increase your risk of side effects, such as an increased heart rate.
Since Trelegy Ellipta is a maintenance inhaler, don’t take extra doses when you’re experiencing symptom flare-ups. You need to immediately use your fast-acting rescue inhaler. Trelegy Ellipta doesn’t take the place of your rescue inhaler.
Keep in mind: Talk to your healthcare team if you use your rescue inhaler more often than usual. It may be a sign that your symptoms aren’t well managed. Your care team may recommend a higher dose of Trelegy Ellipta. Or you may need a change in your treatment altogether.
5. Throw away your Trelegy Ellipta inhaler after 6 weeks or when the counter reads ‘0’ — whichever comes first
Once the counter on your Trelegy Ellipta inhaler reads “0,” you should throw it away. That’s because there’s no more medication left inside. Each inhaler usually contains 30 doses, so it should last you 30 days if you’re using it once every day.
However, you can safely use your Trelegy Ellipta inhaler for 6 weeks after you open the foil tray. To help you remember, write the date you opened the foil tray on the label of the inhaler. After 6 weeks, throw the inhaler in the trash, even if the counter doesn’t read “0”.
How to save on Trelegy Ellipta
There are ways to save on Trelegy Ellipta, which is available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between copay savings cards and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for Trelegy Ellipta using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Trelegy Ellipta’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.
Frequently asked questions
No, there isn’t a generic for Trelegy Ellipta yet. It’s available only as a brand-name medication. But there are ways to save on your prescription, including a manufacturer copay savings card and a patient assistance program. If you’re having trouble affording Trelegy Ellipta, tell your prescriber. There are other options that may better fit your needs.
There are a few alternatives to Trelegy Ellipta. Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide / glycopyrrolate / formoterol) contains the same types of medications as Trelegy Ellipta. So it would work most similarly. Other options your prescriber may suggest include:
Fluticasone propionate / salmeterol (Advair, AirDuo RespiClick)
Fluticasone furoate / vilanterol (Breo Ellipta)
Mometasone / formoterol (Dulera)
No, you shouldn’t use Trelegy Ellipta every other day. Trelegy Ellipta is a maintenance inhaler meant to be used once a day, every day. Trelegy won’t work as well as it should if you use it every other day. Using your inhaler less than recommended may cause your symptoms to worsen or return.
No, you shouldn’t use Trelegy Ellipta if you have a milk allergy. The powder inside the inhaler contains lactose. People with severe allergies to milk proteins could experience a life-threatening reaction, such as anaphylaxis, when using Trelegy Ellipta.
The amount of lactose in Trelegy Ellipta typically isn’t enough to cause problems for people who have lactose intolerance. But it’s still a good idea to tell your prescriber about any allergies or intolerances you have.
No, there isn’t a generic for Trelegy Ellipta yet. It’s available only as a brand-name medication. But there are ways to save on your prescription, including a manufacturer copay savings card and a patient assistance program. If you’re having trouble affording Trelegy Ellipta, tell your prescriber. There are other options that may better fit your needs.
There are a few alternatives to Trelegy Ellipta. Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide / glycopyrrolate / formoterol) contains the same types of medications as Trelegy Ellipta. So it would work most similarly. Other options your prescriber may suggest include:
Fluticasone propionate / salmeterol (Advair, AirDuo RespiClick)
Fluticasone furoate / vilanterol (Breo Ellipta)
Mometasone / formoterol (Dulera)
No, you shouldn’t use Trelegy Ellipta every other day. Trelegy Ellipta is a maintenance inhaler meant to be used once a day, every day. Trelegy won’t work as well as it should if you use it every other day. Using your inhaler less than recommended may cause your symptoms to worsen or return.
No, you shouldn’t use Trelegy Ellipta if you have a milk allergy. The powder inside the inhaler contains lactose. People with severe allergies to milk proteins could experience a life-threatening reaction, such as anaphylaxis, when using Trelegy Ellipta.
The amount of lactose in Trelegy Ellipta typically isn’t enough to cause problems for people who have lactose intolerance. But it’s still a good idea to tell your prescriber about any allergies or intolerances you have.
The bottom line
Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone / umeclidinium / vilanterol) is a maintenance inhaler used once daily to manage symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
To get the most out of Trelegy Ellipta, it’s important to take it at the same time every day. Only open your inhaler when you’re ready to inhale your dose. Don’t use Trelegy Ellipta as a rescue medication since it won’t provide fast-acting relief.
If you have questions about using your inhaler or if your symptoms don’t improve, talk to your care team or your pharmacist.
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References
GlaxoSmithKline. (2023). Trelegy Ellipta - fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium bromide and vilanterol trifenatate powder [package insert]. DailyMed.
GlaxoSmithKline. (2023). Trelegy Ellipta: Highlights of prescribing information.
