Search for articles or Rx savings
Key takeaways
Breztri Aerosphere is a brand-name triple therapy inhaler (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) prescribed for the daily maintenance of COPD.
It is not known to cause weight gain in people who use it.
Other factors unrelated to Breztri Aerosphere may cause people with COPD to gain weight, but these factors can be managed.
Breztri Aerosphere is a prescription inhalation aerosol containing budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate. It is FDA approved for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis or emphysema. It’s typically taken as two puffs, twice a day, and helps alleviate symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing in people with COPD. It is not a rescue inhaler meant for treating sudden flare-ups.
While corticosteroids can cause weight gain, Breztri Aerosphere, a medication containing an inhaled corticosteroid, is not known to cause weight gain. This is mainly due to its method of delivery via oral inhalation into the lungs, which minimizes absorption in the system, making it unlikely to cause weight gain.
Save up to 80% on Breztri with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
Can Breztri cause weight gain?
Clinical studies have not shown a relationship between Breztri use and weight gain. Breztri is a triple therapy inhaler containing:
- Budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
- Glycopyrrolate, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)
- Formoterol fumarate, a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA)
Weight gain is a common side effect of injection or oral corticosteroids, and Breztri contains one. However, “in clinical data, there is no clear signal that Breztri itself causes meaningful weight gain,” Julio Baute, MD, a clinical content consultant for Invigor Medical, confirms. “Inhaled steroids have far less systemic effect than oral prednisone, so the typical steroid problems like fluid retention or big appetite swings are uncommon at these doses.”
RELATED: Breztri Aerosphere inhaler dosage guide
Even if a person using Breztri Aerosphere experiences weight gain, it’s unlikely to be very much. “In some rare cases, high-dose or prolonged inhaled corticosteroids may cause some weight gain, but this is rare, and the weight gain won’t be significant,” says Austin Shuxiao, MD, an internist and founder of PeachIV.
That said, some people using a medication like Breztri Aerosphere to control their symptoms may experience weight gain for the following reasons, not from the inhaler itself:
- Decreased activity due to fatigue or exercise intolerance
- Higher calorie intake from side effects, such as drinking sugary drinks to combat dry mouth
- Repeated courses of oral steroids
“Oral steroids will increase appetite, induce hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), and promote fat storage, especially in the midsection of the body (abdomen, hips),” Dr. Shuxiao says. “Patients with COPD experiencing exacerbations may be placed on a short course of oral steroids in the clinic or at the hospital, but end-stage COPD patients may be placed on oral steroids indefinitely.”
Some people with COPD may lose weight due to the amount of effort exerted to breathe. “COPD itself is known to cause early satiety and weight loss due to breathlessness while eating or a loss of taste,” Dr. Shuxiao says.
Does Breztri make it hard to lose weight?
There is no single answer on whether Breztri Aerosphere makes it more difficult to shed pounds.
“If the patient has lost weight due to COPD, causing them to burn more calories daily, then removing this breathlessness and increased respiratory effort may actually cause them to gain weight,” Dr. Shuxiao explains. “On the flip side, if they are sedentary due to COPD, and gain weight from inactivity, then adding Breztri may give them their exercise tolerance back, thus allowing them to burn more calories.”
Dr. Baute calls the relationship between weight loss and taking Breztri Aerosphere indirect. COPD symptoms, such as dry mouth and fatigue, are reasons a person may gain weight. “On the other hand, when breathing improves, most of my patients can move more, which actually helps weight control,” he says. “So the inhaler is rarely the barrier; habits are.”
Tips for managing your weight on Breztri
If you are concerned about gaining or maintaining your weight while using Breztri Aerosphere, medical experts have advice on the best ways to manage weight:
1. Follow a healthy COPD diet
Above all, eating a balanced diet that meets your calorie needs is the surest way to prevent weight gain. “Eat plenty of lean protein, vegetables, fruits, and high-fiber foods,” Dr. Shuxiao advises. “Avoid refined carbohydrates and high-fat, processed foods, which all contribute to weight gain.”
Dr. Baute recommends eating protein in every meal to protect against muscle loss. Additionally, “log food a couple of days each week to catch creeping calories and drink water (you can add a pinch of salt and lemon if you need flavor and better absorption).” If weight gain is a concern, the American Lung Association recommends choosing lean meats and low-fat dairy as your protein sources.
2. Get enough exercise
“Ideally, Breztri will increase a patient’s exercise tolerance, and they will be able to follow a routine exercise regimen, since a combination of diet and exercise is the best proven way to lose weight,” Dr. Shuxiao shares.“Schedule light resistance training two to three times weekly,” Dr. Baute suggests.
3. Monitor sodium intake
“Sodium intake should be moderated as well, since salty food may lead to fluid retention and weight gain,” Dr. Shuxiao says. “For combination bronchodilators in general, stay hydrated, watch sodium if you notice swelling, and keep an eye on step counts so a bad breathing week does not turn into a bad month of inactivity,” Dr. Baute adds.
4. Stick with your medications
Being consistent with your Breztri Aerosphere use is a simple way to avoid weight gain. This is because oral steroids are sometimes prescribed to help treat COPD exacerbation, and that can mean gaining weight as a side effect. “If you compare the weight gain from combination bronchodilators and systemic steroids, the difference is night and day,” Dr. Shuxiao says. “If you stop taking the medication and go into COPD exacerbation, you will receive at least five days of oral steroids, and oftentimes more. So to avoid that, keep taking your daily inhalers.”
“If you are getting frequent oral steroid tapers, talk to your prescriber about inhaler optimization to cut those bursts, because pills are the bigger weight driver,” Dr. Baute explains.
Side effects of Breztri
While weight gain is not a common side effect of Breztri Aerosphere, the inhaler can cause other adverse effects, both minor and serious. Mild side effects can include:
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Back pain
- Joint pain
- Flu
- Headache
- Muscle spasms
- Cough
- Sinus inflammation
- Diarrhea
- Hoarseness, sore throat
- Nausea
- Difficulty sleeping
Rare, but serious side effects include:
- Pneumonia
- Fungal infection in the mouth or throat (thrush)
- Weakened immune system
- Possible worsening of infections, including chickenpox and measles
- Reduced adrenal gland function
- Sudden trouble breathing immediately after inhaling Breztri Aerosphere
- Allergic reactions, such as a skin rash, hives, breathing problems, or swelling of the face, mouth, and tongue
- Heart problems, such as high blood pressure, palpitations, heart rhythm changes, chest pain, increased heart rate, or irregular heartbeat
- Tremors or nervousness
- Reduction in bone mineral density resulting in osteoporosis
- Eye problems such as narrow-angle glaucoma and cataracts
- Urinary retention and other difficulties with urination, including urinary tract infections
- High blood sugar or low potassium levels, especially when used with diuretics
If you are experiencing any concerning or worsening side effects of Breztri Aerosphere, ask a healthcare professional for medical advice before stopping the medication or trying something new. If you have any medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid issues, liver, kidney, or heart problems, let your healthcare provider know before using Breztri.
Alternatives to Breztri
Breztri is typically reserved for “adults with moderate to severe COPD, who are symptomatic despite already being on dual therapy,” says Dr. Shuxiao. Thus, the most common Breztri alternative is Trelegy Elipta, another triple-therapy inhaler that contains the active ingredients fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol. “Trelegy is a once-daily dosing, which some may prefer, though the style of inhalation in Breztri may be preferred by some,” Dr. Shuxiao says.
RELATED: Which inhalers are used to treat COPD?
Dual-therapy inhalers that may be prescribed before starting Breztri include:
“All of these are popular, but maybe Symbicort is the most popular,” Dr. Shuxiao says. “The LAMA+LABA combinations don’t have inhaler corticosteroids, so if someone is worried about gaining weight, those are options for them.”
- Breztri Aerosphere, FDA (2020)
- Breztri Aerosphere, AstraZeneca (2025)