How Is Breztri Used?

Breztri is a prescription inhaler used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. It combines three medications in one device to help keep airways open and reduce flare-ups. Breztri is taken as two puffs, twice a day, every day — not as a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems.

What Is Breztri and How Does It Work?

Breztri is a triple-combination inhaler. It contains three active ingredients: budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol. Each one works differently in the lungs.

Budesonide is an inhaled corticosteroid. It reduces inflammation in the airways. Glycopyrrolate is an anticholinergic that relaxes the muscles around airways. Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator that also relaxes those muscles and keeps airways open for about 12 hours.

Together, these three medicines help manage COPD symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. The combination also reduces the risk of COPD flare-ups, which are periods when symptoms suddenly get worse.

Breztri is not for asthma. It is not approved for children. It is only for adults with COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

How Is Breztri Used?

The standard dose of Breztri is two puffs taken twice a day. That means four puffs total in a 24-hour period. You should take it at the same times each day, roughly 12 hours apart.

Breztri is a maintenance medication. It works best when taken consistently, even on days when you feel fine. Skipping doses can allow your COPD symptoms to return or worsen.

Breztri is not a rescue inhaler. If you have sudden shortness of breath, you need a separate quick-relief inhaler, usually a short-acting bronchodilator like albuterol. Your doctor will prescribe one if needed. Do not take extra puffs of Breztri for sudden symptoms.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double up to make up for a missed dose.

How to Use the Breztri Inhaler Correctly

Using the inhaler correctly matters. Many people use inhalers improperly without realizing it, which means they get less medication than they think.

Breztri comes in a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Before first use, or if you have not used it for more than 7 days, you need to prime it. Priming means spraying the inhaler into the air a few times to make sure it delivers the right amount of medication.

Here is the basic technique:

• Shake the inhaler well for about 5 seconds before each use.
• Breathe out fully, away from the inhaler.
• Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips around it.
• Press down on the canister and breathe in slowly and deeply at the same time.
• Hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly.
• Wait about 30 to 60 seconds before taking the second puff.
• Rinse your mouth with water after use and spit it out. Do not swallow.

Rinsing your mouth is important. It removes any medication left in your mouth and throat, which reduces the risk of oral thrush, a fungal infection that can happen with inhaled steroids.

If you have trouble coordinating pressing and breathing at the same time, ask your doctor or pharmacist about using a spacer device. A spacer attaches to the inhaler and holds the medication in a chamber so you can breathe it in more easily.

Who Should Take Breztri?

Breztri is prescribed for people with moderate to severe COPD whose symptoms are not well controlled on other medications. Doctors typically consider it after a person has tried a single bronchodilator or a dual bronchodilator without enough improvement.

Clinical trials have shown that triple therapy like Breztri improves lung function and reduces flare-ups compared to some dual therapies. However, not everyone with COPD needs triple therapy. Some people do well with one or two medications.

Your doctor will decide if Breztri is right for you based on your symptoms, your history of flare-ups, and how well you tolerate the medication. This is not a medication you should start on your own.

Breztri may not be suitable if you have certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, glaucoma, or an enlarged prostate. These conditions can be affected by the medication.

What Are the Possible Side Effects?

Common side effects of Breztri include headache, back pain, diarrhea, and nausea. These are usually mild and often improve as your body adjusts.

More serious side effects are possible but less common. Because Breztri contains a steroid, it can increase the risk of pneumonia in people with COPD. Studies have shown that inhaled corticosteroids carry this risk. Tell your doctor if you develop fever, chills, or a cough that produces more mucus than usual.

Formoterol can affect the heart. Some people experience a fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or a rise in blood pressure. If you notice these symptoms, contact your doctor.

Glycopyrrolate can cause dry mouth, difficulty urinating, or eye pain. If you have eye pain or vision changes, seek medical attention promptly, as this can be a sign of glaucoma.

An allergic reaction to Breztri is rare but possible. Signs include rash, itching, swelling of the face or throat, and trouble breathing. This is a medical emergency.

This is not a full list of side effects. Ask your pharmacist for the complete medication guide that comes with Breztri.

Breztri vs. Other COPD Inhalers

Breztri is one of several triple-combination inhalers on the market. Others include Trelegy Ellipta and, in some regions, other similar products. These medications contain the same three classes of drugs but use different devices and slightly different chemical forms.

The main difference is the device. Breztri uses a metered-dose inhaler that requires coordinated breathing. Trelegy uses a dry powder inhaler that is breath-activated, meaning you simply inhale forcefully to receive the dose.

Some people find one device easier to use than the other. If you have arthritis or limited hand strength, a breath-activated inhaler might be easier. If you have very low lung function and cannot inhale forcefully, an MDI with a spacer might work better.

Cost and insurance coverage also play a role. These medications are expensive, and coverage varies by plan. Your doctor and pharmacist can help you understand which option is covered and which device suits you best.

Do not switch between Breztri and another triple therapy without your doctor’s guidance. The doses and delivery systems are not interchangeable.

Important Safety Information

Breztri contains formoterol, a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA). LABAs increase the risk of asthma-related death when used alone for asthma. This warning does not apply the same way to COPD, but it is why Breztri is not approved for asthma.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using Breztri. Limited data exists on its use during pregnancy. The decision will weigh the benefit of controlling your COPD against potential risks.

Do not use Breztri more often than prescribed. Taking extra doses will not give you more relief and increases your risk of side effects, especially heart-related ones.

Keep Breztri away from heat and open flames. The canister is pressurized. Do not puncture or throw it into a fire, even when it appears empty.

Store Breztri at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Check the expiration date on the label. Do not use the inhaler past that date.

When to Contact Your Doctor

Contact your doctor if your breathing symptoms get worse, if you need your rescue inhaler more often, or if you have more flare-ups than usual. These signs suggest your COPD treatment plan may need adjustment.

Seek emergency care if you have sudden severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or difficulty speaking. Do not wait to see if Breztri will help. It will not work fast enough for an acute breathing emergency.

Regular follow-up appointments are important. COPD is a progressive disease, and your treatment needs may change over time. Your doctor will monitor your lung function and adjust your medications as needed.