How long does it take Trelegy to get in your system?

In this article:

• How long does it take Trelegy to work?
• How Trelegy works
• Factors that affect how quickly Trelegy works
• How long does Trelegy stay in your system?
• The bottom line on Trelegy’s timing and results

In this article

• How long does it take Trelegy to work?
• How Trelegy works
• Factors that affect how quickly Trelegy works
• How long does Trelegy stay in your system?
• The bottom line on Trelegy’s timing and results

Trelegy Ellipta is a once-daily inhaled prescription drug that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can include chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Trelegy was the first single-inhaler triple therapy approved for both asthma and COPD. Although it is approved to treat these lung conditions, it is considered a maintenance inhaler, not a rescue inhaler. This is because the three components of Trelegy don’t provide immediate relief for breathing issues, such as worsening wheezing, cough, or shortness of breath.

How long does it take Trelegy to work?

Trelegy is a single inhaler that contains two types of medications to help you breathe more easily: two long-acting bronchodilators, which help open up your airways, and a corticosteroid, which decreases inflammation in your lungs. The long-acting bronchodilators will provide some relief soon after you take Trelegy, but full relief from your condition will happen over a longer period of time.

“After you inhale the dose, the two bronchodilators are absorbed very quickly, with peak blood levels often reached within about five to fifteen minutes,” says Erika Gray, Pharm.D., founder and chief medical officer at MyToolBox Genomics.

But the effects from the steroid portion of Trelegy take longer, and results are more cumulative. According to Sorel Lira, MD, medical director of hospital services at Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago, reduction of inflammation and improvement of lung function from the steroid portion of Trelegy is usually noticed after about one to two weeks of consistent use.

How Trelegy works

Knowing how the three active ingredients of Trelegy work can help you understand how quickly the medication takes effect. Here’s what to know about the three medications that Trelegy contains and how they work to help you breathe more effectively.

Fluticasone

Fluticasone furoate is a steroid medication that works by decreasing inflammation, swelling, and mucus in the lungs and airways. “Steroids usually take longer to show their full effect,” Dr. Gray says. “You may notice some benefits within the first week, with additional benefits that can continue to build over the first few months.” In comparison to Trelegy, Arnuity Ellipta is an inhaler containing only fluticasone furoate, and Breo Ellipta contains fluticasone furoate and vilanterol, without umeclidinium. 

Umeclidinium (LAMA)

Umeclidinium is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). “It blocks M3 receptors in the airway, helping to relax and open the airways,” Dr. Lira shares. The drug is available on its own as the inhaler product Incruse Ellipta and coupled with vilanterol as the inhaler Anoro Ellipta.

Vilanterol (LABA)

Vilanterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA). It has similar effects on the lungs as umeclidinium and “opens the airways by relaxing the bronchial muscles,” Dr. Lira explains. 

Factors that affect how quickly Trelegy works  

How quickly Trelegy takes effect may vary from one person to another. Let’s take a look at some of the factors that can impact how quickly Trelegy works.

COPD vs. asthma

Trelegy is approved to treat two conditions: COPD and asthma. How long it takes Trelegy to work depends on which condition is being treated.

“Initial lung function improvement in COPD may be noticed after one week of use,” Dr Lir says. “However, in asthma, even though it is a completely reversible obstructive lung disease, it may take a bit longer because airway inflammation plays a bigger role. Therefore, initial improvement may take one to two weeks.”

Lung function

How effectively and quickly Trelegy Ellipta works depends on how well your lungs function, which can be influenced by several factors, including the presence of respiratory disease and certain lifestyle choices. For example, if you are a smoker, this medication may take longer to work. “Smoking reduces the effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids and increases mucus production, which ultimately may decrease symptom control,” Dr. Lir says.

Medical conditions

While Trelegy has broad benefits for several respiratory conditions, there are a few conditions that naturally respond better to Trelegy, and where Trelegy may work faster and more effectively. According to Dr. Gray, people with COPD or allergic asthma tend to see the greatest reduction in flare-ups while taking Trelegy.

Consistency of use

Trelegy is meant to be used once every 24 hours, at approximately the same time each day. Using it consistently ensures that the proper amount of medication is circulating in your system. “This inhaler is meant for regular use, not only when symptoms appear,” Dr. Gray reminds. “Taking it every day as prescribed improves control over time.”

Proper inhaler technique

Proper inhaler technique ensures that Trelegy is delivered directly into your lungs, which improves the speed at which the medication takes effect. “It’s important to exhale fully away from the inhaler before taking a long, slow, deep breath via the mouthpiece and holding the breath for three to five seconds,” Dr. Lir explains.

Dr Lir’s other tips include:

• Only open the cover of the medication when ready to use.
• Close the inhaler after each use.
• Rinse your mouth after every use to prevent oral thrush (fungal infection in the mouth), which sometimes occurs with the use of oral steroids.
• Remember to use your inhaler at the same time every day.

How long does Trelegy stay in your system? 

According to Dr. Lir, the three medications that make up Trelegy (fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol) each have different half-lives, ranging from 11–24 hours. The half-life of a medication is the amount of time it takes for half of the medication to leave your body. “After stopping Trelegy, its effects typically wear off within one to two days, and symptoms may return shortly after that, depending on the individual’s condition,” Dr. Lir explains.

The effects of the bronchodilators (umeclidinium and vilanterol) can last from one to three days, according to Dr. Gray. “The steroid leaves the lungs more slowly than the bronchodilators, so its effect lasts longer between doses,” she says.

If you stop taking Trelegy, you can expect symptoms to return within about two days, and these symptoms may continue to worsen for up to about two weeks if you were taking Trelegy consistently before stopping, according to Dr. Gray. “Keep taking this medicine as prescribed unless your health care professional tells you to stop,” she recommends.

Stopping Trelegy suddenly and without an alternative treatment plan can result in possible serious side effects. If your COPD or asthma isn’t well managed, hospitalization may occur.

The bottom line on Trelegy’s timing and results

If you are taking Trelegy, you’ll experience some immediate relief from your symptoms within an hour or so. But full response, including decreased inflammation and increased lung function, won’t be experienced until you’ve been taking Trelegy for at least a week or two. It’s essential to keep in mind that, although Trelegy can help open up your lungs so you can breathe more easily, it’s not considered a rescue medication and shouldn’t be used for quick relief from an asthma attack or serious difficulty breathing. Instead, seek medical attention immediately.

Each of us has a unique medical profile, and medications work differently for each person. That’s why it’s vital to seek medical advice from a healthcare provider if you have questions about how long it takes for Trelegy to get into your system, prescribing information, or side effects.

Before taking Trelegy, you should discuss any other prescription medications you are taking, supplements, or over-the-counter medications. You should also contact your healthcare provider if you experience unusual side effects while taking Trelegy or if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rashes, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, or new trouble breathing.