Trelegy Ellipta alternatives: What can I take instead of Trelegy Ellipta?

In this article:

• How does Trelegy work?
• What can you take in place of Trelegy Ellipta?
• Top 5 Trelegy Ellipta alternatives
• Natural alternatives
• How to switch to a Trelegy Ellipta alternative

In this article

• How does Trelegy work?
• What can you take in place of Trelegy Ellipta?
• Top 5 Trelegy Ellipta alternatives
• Natural alternatives
• How to switch to a Trelegy Ellipta alternative

Trelegy Ellipta is a brand-name inhaler approved to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in adults. It contains fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol, which can help prevent symptoms before they start. However, it’s not right for everyone, as some people may find it ineffective or unaffordable for them. Others might experience side effects or have allergies to milk proteins in the inhaler. Fortunately, alternative options are available and can always be discussed with a healthcare provider.

How does Trelegy work?

Trelegy Ellipta is a dry powder inhaler used for the maintenance treatment of COPD and asthma. It’s taken as one inhalation or one puff once daily to help control symptoms such as wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Unlike a rescue inhaler, it’s not meant to be used for sudden breathing problems or acute bronchospasm.

Trelegy Ellipta contains three different classes of medicines: 

• Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) medicines such as fluticasone furoate help reduce inflammation that can otherwise narrow the airways and cause breathing problems like shortness of breath. 
• Muscarinic antagonist (or anticholinergic) medicines such as umeclidinium help relax the smooth muscles around the lungs and open up the airways to control symptoms.
• Long-acting beta agonist (LABA) medicines such as vilanterol also help relax and open air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

What can you take in place of Trelegy Ellipta?

There are several other inhalers available that contain the same corticosteroid ingredient (fluticasone) as Trelegy Ellipta, as well as inhalers that contain umeclidinium and vilanterol in various combinations. Other combination inhalers may contain different corticosteroids, anticholinergics, and LABA drugs in similar combinations. 

Trelegy Ellipta and the alternatives discussed below are for maintenance treatment of COPD or asthma. Unlike albuterol, they are not recommended to be used as rescue inhalers for COPD exacerbations or for asthma attacks. 

Top 5 Trelegy Ellipta alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternative prescription drugs to Trelegy Ellipta.

1. Advair Diskus

Advair Diskus is a dry powder inhaler that contains fluticasone propionate, a corticosteroid, and salmeterol, a LABA, to help manage asthma (in adults and children 4 and older) and COPD (in adults). Unlike Trelegy Ellipta, it’s taken as one puff twice daily and does not include an anticholinergic drug. However, it may have similar side effects as Trelegy, including throat irritation and oral thrush. A lower-cost generic called Wixela Inhub is available, making it a potential option if cost is a concern. 

2. Symbicort

Symbicort is another dry powder inhaler that contains the corticosteroid budesonide and the LABA formoterol. It’s approved to treat COPD in adults and asthma in adults and children as young as 6 years of age. Potential side effects include upper respiratory infection, headache, sinus pain, and oral thrush. Symbicort is administered as two puffs twice daily, unlike Trelegy Ellipta’s one puff once daily. It’s also available as a generic called Breyna. 

3. Breo Ellipta

Breo Ellipta contains a combination of the same corticosteroid and LABA as Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone and vilanterol) but does not contain the anticholinergic medicine umeclidinium. Breo Ellipta is approved to treat COPD in adults and asthma in adults and children as young as 5 years of age. Because it contains two of the same drugs, the side effects are similar to those of Trelegy Ellipta. Like Trelegy Ellipta,  Breo Ellipta is administered as one puff once daily. It may be a potential option for people who don’t need triple therapy.

4. Anoro Ellipta

Anoro Ellipta contains the same anticholinergic and LABA ingredients as Trelegy Ellipta but does not have a steroid. It is only approved for the maintenance treatment of COPD symptoms in adults. Because Anoro Ellipta does not contain a corticosteroid, common side effects are somewhat different from those of Trelegy Ellipta but do include sore throat and other common cold symptoms. Like Trelegy Ellipta, it is dosed as one puff once daily. 

5. Breztri Aerosphere

Breztri Aerosphere is an inhaler that contains a corticosteroid, an anticholinergic, and a LABA to help manage COPD in adults. It uses different active ingredients than Trelegy but works in a similar way to reduce inflammation and relax airway muscles. It’s taken as two puffs twice daily and may be a good option for those who can’t tolerate Trelegy due to milk allergies. However, it’s a metered-dose inhaler that may require more coordination than a dry powder inhaler. 

RELATED: Anoro Ellipta alternatives

Other alternatives to Trelegy Ellipta

In addition to the combination medicine inhalers listed above, there are many single-drug COPD and asthma inhaler medicines:

• Corticosteroids
  • Arnuity Ellipta (fluticasone furoate)
  • Alvesco (ciclesonide) 
  • Asmanex HFA (mometasone furoate) 
  • Qvar RediHaler (beclomethasone dipropionate)
  • Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide)
• Anticholinergics
  • Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium bromide)
  • Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium)
  • Atrovent HFA (ipratropium)
• Short-acting beta agonists (SABAs)
  • Ventolin HFA (albuterol)
  • Xopenex (levalbuterol)
• Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs)  
  • Serevent Diskus (salmeterol) 
  • Perforomist (formoterol)

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Natural alternatives to Trelegy Ellipta

Although most people experiencing COPD or asthma symptoms typically need prescription medications like Trelegy Ellipta, certain lifestyle changes and natural remedies may help manage symptoms. Relaxation exercises like deep breathing, guided imagery, and yoga may help relieve stress that might otherwise lead to an attack.

Although studies on alternative treatments for COPD and asthma have been limited, certain diets, such as the Mediterranean diet and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, may help improve lung function and reduce COPD symptoms. In addition to trying certain foods, it may be helpful to think about limiting other foods. For many people, some foods, such as dried fruits or vegetables, may trigger or worsen asthma symptoms. 

Keeping a healthy weight may also take pressure off the lungs and make it easier to breathe, especially during exercise. One study found that modest weight loss improved symptoms of COPD, like shortness of breath. 

Caffeine is a mild bronchodilator, meaning it can slightly open the airways and potentially make breathing easier. While it’s not a replacement for medication, a cup of coffee or tea may provide short-term relief for some people.

How to switch to a Trelegy Ellipta alternative

Because of the number of different medication options, those with COPD or asthma may make the decision to switch inhalers. Reasons for changing inhalers include allergic reactions, worsening symptoms, cost concerns, or trouble using the device correctly. 

Before considering switching from Trelegy Ellipta to another medication, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider for medical advice. They can ensure you’re getting the right treatment based on your condition and proper training on how to use the new inhaler.