Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) is a prescription drug used to treat COPD. It comes with an inhaler device for breathing the drug into your lungs. You’ll likely use it twice daily.
Breztri Aerosphere is prescribed to adults for maintenance treatment (management) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Among COPD medications, Breztri Aerosphere is a type of triple therapy with three active ingredients. These ingredients and the groups of drugs they belong to are:
- budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid
- glycopyrrolate, an anticholinergic
- formoterol fumarate, a long-acting beta-agonist
This article describes the dosage of Breztri Aerosphere, as well as its strength and how to use it. To learn more about Breztri Aerosphere, see this in-depth Breztri Aerosphere article.
Note: Do not use Breztri Aerosphere as a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems or to treat asthma.
This section describes the usual dosages of Breztri Aerosphere. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Breztri Aerosphere’s form?
Breztri Aerosphere comes as a aerosol (spray) inside an inhaler device. One spray (1 puff) delivers the drug in a mist. You breathe the mist into your lungs.
What strength does Breztri Aerosphere come in?
Breztri Aerosphere comes in one strength that contains the following in 1 puff (or spray):
- budesonide: 160 micrograms (mcg)
- glycopyrrolate: 9 mcg
- formoterol fumarate: 4.8 mcg
What is the usual dosage for COPD?
Your doctor will likely start by prescribing the recommended dosage of Breztri Aerosphere. They’ll monitor you to be sure it provides the desired effect.
The usual Breztri Aerosphere dosage for adults with COPD is 2 puffs (sprays) twice daily.
If you have questions about your dosage of Breztri Aerosphere, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes.
How long do you use Breztri Aerosphere?
Yes, Breztri Aerosphere is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
Breztri Aerosphere comes as a canister inside an inhaler device. You spray the device once to deliver 1 puff of the drug in a mist. You breathe the mist into your lungs. You’ll usually inhale 2 puffs in the morning and 2 puffs in the evening.
Before your first use and at certain other times, you’ll need to prime your inhaler. To learn how to prime and use your inhaler, you can see this guide or this how-to-use video from the drugmaker. Your doctor or pharmacist also can show you how to use Breztri Aerosphere.
After your dose of Breztri Aerosphere, be sure to rinse your mouth with water and then spit it out. This will help prevent oral thrush (a fungal infection), which is a side effect of Breztri Aerosphere.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Breztri Aerosphere, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Using Breztri Aerosphere
To use your Breztri Aerosphere inhaler:
- Remove the mouthpiece cover.
- Shake the inhaler well.
- Breathe out deeply and fully, and then close your lips around the mouthpiece.
- As you start to breathe in slowly, spray 1 puff and then remove the inhaler from your mouth.
- With your mouth closed, continue breathing in and hold your breath for up to 10 seconds.
For your next puff, repeat steps 2 to 5.
Each week, remove the canister of Breztri Aerosphere from the inhaler device. Then rinse the inhaler device with water to help keep it clean.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you miss a dose of Breztri Aerosphere, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then inhale your next dose at the regular time. Do not inhale two doses of Breztri Aerosphere (4 puffs) at a time to make up for a missed dose.
If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Breztri Aerosphere on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not use more Breztri Aerosphere than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you use too much Breztri Aerosphere
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Breztri Aerosphere. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
How long does Breztri Aerosphere stay in your system?
Breztri Aerosphere can stay in your body up to 75 hours.
To calculate this, researchers determine the
How many puffs are in a Breztri Aerosphere inhaler?
Each Breztri Aerosphere inhaler contains 120 puffs, which is enough for 30 days of use.
You’ll usually inhale 2 puffs twice daily for long-term maintenance of COPD. Be sure to follow the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Each canister of Breztri Aerosphere includes a counter that counts each puff inhaled. This helps you keep track of how much medication is left.
If you have more questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Is Breztri Aerosphere’s dosage similar to the dosages of Symbicort or Trelegy Ellipta?
The forms and uses for each drug are similar, but each has some differences.
Breztri Aerosphere, Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate), and Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol) are oral inhalers. Each is approved for long-term maintenance treatment of COPD. Symbicort and Trelegy Ellipta are also approved to treat asthma.
The dose in mcg for each drug differs. The dosages for Breztri Aerosphere and Symbicort are usually 2 puffs twice daily. The dosage for Trelegy Ellipta is usually 1 puff once daily.
Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you. To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Breztri Aerosphere without your doctor’s recommendation. Use Breztri Aerosphere exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor are:
- How do the dosages of Breztri Aerosphere and Breo Ellipta compare?
- Would I need a dosage adjustment for Breztri Aerosphere if I’m using other medications for COPD?
- Will you lower my dosage if I experience side effects from Breztri Aerosphere?
To learn more about Breztri Aerosphere, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.