{"id":634637,"date":"2025-12-15T14:13:51","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T19:13:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=634637"},"modified":"2025-12-19T10:41:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T15:41:09","slug":"how-long-does-it-take-trelegy-to-get-in-your-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-trelegy-to-get-in-your-system\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does it take Trelegy to get in your system?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trelegy Ellipta<\/span><\/a> is a once-daily inhaled prescription drug that\u2019s approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat <\/span>asthma<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>chronic obstructive pulmonary disease<\/span><\/a> (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\u2019t provide immediate relief for breathing issues, such as worsening wheezing, cough, or shortness of breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long does it take Trelegy to work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Trelegy<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter you inhale the dose, the two bronchodilators are absorbed very quickly, with peak blood levels often reached within about five to fifteen minutes,\u201d says Erika Gray, Pharm.D., founder and chief medical officer at <\/span>MyToolBox Genomics<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span> Saint Anthony Hospital<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Trelegy works<\/span><\/h2>\n

Knowing how the three active ingredients of Trelegy work can help you understand how quickly the medication takes effect. Here\u2019s what to know about the three medications that Trelegy contains and how they work to help you breathe more effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fluticasone<\/span><\/h3>\n

Fluticasone furoate<\/span> is a steroid medication that works by decreasing inflammation, swelling, and mucus in the lungs and airways. \u201cSteroids usually take longer to show their full effect,\u201d Dr. Gray says. \u201cYou may notice some benefits within the first week, with additional benefits that can continue to build over the first few months.\u201d In comparison to Trelegy, <\/span>Arnuity Ellipta<\/span><\/a> is an inhaler containing only fluticasone furoate, and <\/span>Breo Ellipta<\/span><\/a> contains fluticasone furoate and vilanterol, without umeclidinium.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Umeclidinium (LAMA)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Umeclidinium<\/span> is a <\/span>long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt blocks M3 receptors in the airway, helping to relax and open the airways,\u201d Dr. Lira shares. The drug is available on its own as the inhaler product <\/span>Incruse Ellipta<\/span><\/a> and coupled with vilanterol as the inhaler <\/span>Anoro Ellipta<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vilanterol (LABA)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Vilanterol<\/span> is a<\/span> long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA)<\/span><\/a>. It has similar effects on the lungs as umeclidinium and \u201copens the airways by relaxing the bronchial muscles,\u201d Dr. Lira explains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Factors that affect how quickly Trelegy works\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

How quickly Trelegy takes effect may vary from one person to another. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the factors that can impact how quickly Trelegy works.<\/span><\/p>\n

COPD vs. asthma<\/span><\/h3>\n

Trelegy is approved to treat two conditions:<\/span> COPD<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> asthma<\/span><\/a>. How long it takes Trelegy to work depends on which condition is being treated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInitial lung function improvement in COPD may be noticed after one week of use,\u201d Dr Lira says. \u201cHowever, 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lung function<\/span><\/h3>\n

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. \u201cSmoking reduces the effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids and increases mucus production, which ultimately may decrease symptom control,\u201d Dr. Lira says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medical conditions<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consistency of use<\/span><\/h3>\n

Trelegy is meant to be used<\/span> once every 24 hours<\/span><\/a>, at approximately the same time each day. Using it consistently ensures that the proper amount of medication is circulating in your system. \u201cThis inhaler is meant for regular use, not only when symptoms appear,\u201d Dr. Gray reminds. \u201cTaking it every day as prescribed improves control over time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Proper inhaler technique<\/span><\/h3>\n

Proper inhaler technique<\/span><\/a> ensures that Trelegy is delivered directly into your lungs, which improves the speed at which the medication takes effect. \u201cIt\u2019s 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,\u201d Dr. Lira explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Lira\u2019s other tips include:<\/span><\/p>\n