General Information
Manufacturer: GSK
Medical Name: Fluticasone furoate, Vilanterol, Umeclidinium
Purpose: Trelegy Ellipta is a brand-name inhaled medication for long-term management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults.
Possible Side Effects
| Side Effect | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| Nasopharyngitis: Inflammation of the nose and throat | NA |
| Headache | up to 9% incidence in asthma studies |
| Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) | Up to 7% incidence in asthma studies |
| Bronchitis | Up to 5% incidence in asthma studies |
| Pneumonia | May affect up to 1 in 10 people with COPD |
| Back pain | Up to 4% in COPD studies |
| Cough | Common in COPD and asthma |
| Oropharyngeal pain: Pain in the mouth and throat | NA |
| Oral thrush: A fungal infection in the mouth or throat; rinsing your mouth with water after use can help prevent it | NA |
| Sinusitis | Up to 3% incidence in asthma studies |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | More common in COPD patients |
| Diarrhea | 2% incidence in COPD studies |
| Dysgeusia: Changes in taste | NA |
Serious but Less Common Side Effects
- Heart problems: Irregular heartbeat, increased heart rate, or chest pain
- High blood sugar: Can cause increased urination, thirst, or blurry vision
- Decreased bone density: Can lead to osteoporosis over time
- Eye problems: Such as glaucoma or cataracts, especially with long-term use
- Reduced adrenal gland function: Can cause fatigue, nausea, or weight changes
- Severe allergic reactions
- Paradoxical bronchospasm: A sudden worsening of breathing after use
- Weakened immune system: Increased risk of infection
- Increased blood pressure
Contraindications
- Severe allergy to milk proteins or any of its active ingredients (fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol).
- Additionally, Trelegy should never be used in the following situations:
- Primary treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm (sudden, severe breathing problems) or status asthmaticus. It is a maintenance medication and not a rescue inhaler; a short-acting beta2-agonist (e.g., albuterol) should be used for acute symptoms.
- In conjunction with other long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists (LABA) or anticholinergics (LAMA), as this increases the risk of overdose and serious side effects.
- For patients under 18 years of age, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established in this population.
Preconditions and Warnings
- Cardiovascular disorders: Including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, history of heart disease, or irregular heartbeats/arrhythmias, as the vilanterol component can affect the heart.
- Active infections: Such as tuberculosis (TB), or systemic fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, as the corticosteroid component (fluticasone furoate) can suppress the immune system.
- Ocular conditions: Such as narrow-angle glaucoma, cataracts, or increased intraocular pressure. Regular eye exams may be needed.
- Urinary retention: Especially in men with prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) or bladder-neck obstruction, due to the anticholinergic component (umeclidinium).
- Endocrine disorders: Including diabetes (it may raise blood sugar levels), thyrotoxicosis (overactive thyroid), or a history of adrenal suppression.
- Other conditions: Seizure disorders, liver impairment (may require dose adjustment), and osteoporosis (weak bones).