Breztri Aerosphere (Budesonide, Glycopyrronium, And Formoterol Fumarate Dihydrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Breztri Aerosphere Used For?
Breztri Aerosphere is a combination inhaler specifically designed to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Primary Uses
COPD is a serious long-term lung disease that slowly gets worse over time. It can cause difficulty breathing (breathlessness, wheezing, or chest tightening), constant coughing, and coughing up mucus (phlegm). Breztri Aerosphere helps control these symptoms and prevents flare-ups when used regularly.
How It Works
Breztri Aerosphere contains three active ingredients that work together: budesonide (an inhaled corticosteroid that reduces lung inflammation), glycopyrronium (a long-acting muscarinic antagonist or LAMA), and formoterol (a fast and long-acting beta-2-agonist or LABA). The latter two are bronchodilators that work together to prevent muscle tightening in the lungs, making it easier for air to flow in and out.
Not for acute attacks: Breztri Aerosphere should not be used to relieve sudden episodes of breathlessness or wheezing. You need a separate reliever inhaler (like Ventolin) for acute attacks.
How to Take Breztri Aerosphere
Breztri Aerosphere is for oral inhalation only and should be used regularly every day, even when you feel well, to help control your COPD symptoms.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended dose is 2 puffs twice a day – 2 puffs in the morning and 2 puffs at night. Take it at about the same time each day. Each pack contains detailed instructions on how to use your inhaler properly. If you have trouble coordinating breathing and pressing the inhaler, ask about using a spacer device. Always rinse your mouth with water after each dose and spit it out to reduce the risk of thrush.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one, and don’t take more than 2 puffs twice a day.
Important: Never double dose. Taking too much can increase your risk of side effects and may require urgent medical attention.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Painful and/or frequent urination (signs of urinary tract infection)
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Thrush (fungal infection in mouth) – sore, yellowish patches, hoarse voice, tongue/mouth irritation, coughing
- Feeling anxious
- Problems sleeping (insomnia)
- Cough and/or hoarse voice
- Feeling sick (nausea)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Chest pain or fast, irregular, skipping/fluttering heartbeat
- Fever or chills, increased or color-changed phlegm, increased cough, breathing difficulties (may indicate pneumonia)
- Chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, or breathlessness immediately after inhalation (signs of serious bronchospasm)
- Allergic reaction symptoms: shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching, or hives
Important Warnings
Before using Breztri Aerosphere, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Breztri Aerosphere
Do not use Breztri Aerosphere if you are allergic to budesonide, glycopyrronium, formoterol, or any other ingredients in the medication. Always check the ingredient list to make sure you can safely use this medicine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: allergies to other medicines or foods, asthma, high blood pressure or heart problems, thyroid problems, low potassium levels, diabetes or high blood glucose, prostate problems, difficulty passing urine, eye problems (glaucoma), or severe kidney or liver problems. Breztri Aerosphere is not recommended for children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Breztri Aerosphere if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor specifically tells you to. It is not known if it’s safe during pregnancy or if it passes into breast milk. Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Breztri Aerosphere and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements.
- Other breathing medications containing glycopyrronium, formoterol, or bronchodilators (ipratropium, tiotropium, aclidinium, umeclidinium, salmeterol, indacaterol, vilanterol, olodaterol)
- Medicines that lower potassium levels like diuretics (frusemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
- Heart or blood pressure medications like beta-blockers (atenolol, propranolol), antiarrhythmics (amiodarone), and diuretics
- Glaucoma medications like beta-blockers (timolol)
- Depression or mental health medications like tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Antifungal medications (ketoconazole, itraconazole)
- HIV medications (cobicistat, ritonavir)
- Stomach ulcer medications (cimetidine)
Alcohol & Driving
Breztri Aerosphere is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, but you should be cautious until you know how it affects you personally.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information, but always consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking any medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how Breztri Aerosphere affects you. The medication is unlikely to impair your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Store Breztri Aerosphere in its original carton and foil pouch until first use to protect from moisture. Keep in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight where temperature stays below 30°C. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Do not expose to temperatures higher than 50°C and do not freeze. Always replace the mouthpiece cap after use. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended. Discard within 3 months (120 puffs pack) or 3 weeks (28 puffs sample pack) after removing from foil pouch.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve used too much Breztri Aerosphere, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine. Overdose symptoms may include blurred vision, dry mouth, nausea, muscle cramps, shaking, headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, and blood pressure changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Breztri Aerosphere contains formoterol, which is a fast-acting bronchodilator, so you may notice some improvement relatively quickly. However, it’s designed for regular long-term use to control COPD symptoms and prevent flare-ups, so the full benefits develop over time with consistent daily use.
No, Breztri Aerosphere should not be used to relieve acute attacks of breathlessness or wheezing. It’s for regular long-term use only. You should have a separate reliever inhaler (like Ventolin) as recommended by your doctor for sudden episodes or flare-ups.
Do not stop taking Breztri Aerosphere or reduce the number of puffs unless your doctor tells you to, even if you’re feeling well. It’s important to use it regularly to keep your COPD properly controlled and prevent symptoms from worsening.
Rinsing your mouth with water and spitting it out after each dose helps reduce the chance of developing thrush (a fungal infection) in your mouth, which can be a side effect of the corticosteroid component in the medication.
If you find it difficult to breathe in and press the inhaler at the same time, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You may be able to use a spacer device, which is a holding chamber that can attach to your inhaler to make it easier to use.
If you’re using more puffs of your reliever medicine or experiencing more wheezing or breathlessness than usual, tell your doctor. This may indicate that your COPD is not as well controlled and your treatment may need adjustment.
Store it in the original carton and foil until first use, in a cool dry place below 30°C, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in bathrooms or cars. The canister is pressurised, so don’t expose it to temperatures above 50°C, don’t freeze it, and don’t puncture or burn it even when empty.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.