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Fluticasone-Umeclidin-Vilanter

Pronounced

"floo-TIK-a-sone/ue-ME-kli-DIN-ee-um/vye-LAN-ter-ol"

Common brand names:

Trelegy Ellipta

Uses

This product is used to control and prevent symptoms (such as wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by asthma and ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Controlling symptoms of breathing problems helps you stay active. This inhaler contains 3 medications: fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol. Fluticasone belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It works by reducing swelling of the airways in the lungs to make breathing easier. Umeclidinium belongs to a class of drugs known as anticholinergics and vilanterol is a LABA medication. Both drugs work by relaxing the muscles around the airways so that they open up and you can breathe more easily. Both drugs are also known as bronchodilators.

When used alone, long-acting beta agonists (such as vilanterol) may rarely increase the risk of serious (sometimes fatal) asthma-related breathing problems. However, combination products containing both an inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta agonist, such as this product, do not increase the risk of serious asthma-related breathing problems. For asthma treatment, this product should be used when breathing problems are not well controlled with two asthma-control medications (such as inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta agonist) or if your symptoms need combination treatment.

This medication must be used regularly to be effective. It does not work right away and should not be used to relieve sudden shortness of breath. If sudden breathing problems occur, use your quick-relief inhaler as prescribed.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. Follow the illustrated directions for the proper use of this medication. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Inhale this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Do not open the cover of the inhaler until you are ready to use it. Each time you open the cover, you prepare a dose of the medication. If you open and close the cover without inhaling the medication, you will lose the dose. To avoid wasting a dose, do not close the cover until after you have inhaled the medication. You may or may not taste/feel the drug when you inhale. Do not exhale into the device.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time every day. Do not use it more than one time each day.

Do not increase your dose, use this medication more often, or stop using it without first consulting your doctor. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.

To prevent dry mouth, hoarseness, and oral yeast infections from developing, gargle, rinse your mouth with water and spit out after each use. Do not swallow the rinse water.

If you are using other inhalers at the same time, wait at least 1 minute between the use of each medication.

If you have been using a quick-relief inhaler (such as albuterol, also called salbutamol in some countries) on a regular daily schedule (such as 4 times daily), you must stop this schedule and only use the quick-relief inhaler as needed for sudden shortness of breath. Consult your doctor for details.

Learn which of your inhalers you should use every day and which you should use if your breathing suddenly worsens (quick-relief drugs). Ask your doctor ahead of time what you should do if you have new or worsening cough or shortness of breath, wheezing, increased sputum, waking up at night with trouble breathing, if you use your quick-relief inhaler more often, or if your quick-relief inhaler does not seem to be working well. Learn when you can treat sudden breathing problems by yourself and when you must get medical help right away.

If you are regularly taking corticosteroids by mouth (such as prednisone), continue to follow your doctor's instructions on taking them. Do not stop taking them. Your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.

RxAnswers™ is a copyrighted combined product from TraceGains and First DataBank, Inc.

Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2024.