Trelegy Ellipta for COPD and Asthma: 6 Tips for How to Use Your Inhaler

Trelegy Ellipta is the first once-daily inhaler available in the U.S. 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, we cover six tips for using Trelegy Ellipta.

1. How to use Trelegy Ellipta

Trelegy Ellipta is taken once daily by oral inhalation (by mouth). Your care team will show you how to use your inhaler properly, so you should follow their specific directions. But for most people, the manufacturer recommends following these basic steps:

• When you’re ready to take your dose, open your Trelegy Ellipta inhaler. You should hear a click. 

• Move the inhaler away from your mouth and breathe out fully.

• Put your inhaler between your lips and inhale deeply through your mouth (not your nose). 

• Remove your inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for 3 to 4 seconds. 

• 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 increase the risk of side effects.

• 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.

Promotion disclosure

Trelegy Ellipta

Avg retail price

$894.18(Save 27.57%)

GoodRx discount

$647.63

Compare all prices

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 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.

5. 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 taken 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 taken 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 in a 24-hour period. 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.

6. 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

Trelegy Ellipta is available as a brand-name medication. But there are several ways you can save and make your prescription more affordable.

With GoodRx, you could save over 15% off the average retail price of Trelegy Ellipta at certain pharmacies. If you’re eligible, the manufacturer offers the medication for as little as $0 for up to 12 months with a copay savings card. A patient assistance program is also available for those who qualify.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sandy P. Bonfin, PharmD, BCPS

Sandy Bonfin has 9 years of experience as a pharmacist and has been working as a clinical pharmacist in a hospital in Florida for the past 7 years after a short stint as a mail-order retail pharmacist. Sandy has worked in pediatric medicine, emergency medicine, internal medicine, and intensive care.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts