An inhaler is a method of administering medication for COPD. You only need to breathe into the L-shaped gadget for it to transport the drug to your lungs.
Separate inhalers may be used for each medication. Alternatively, you may combine many medicines into a single inhalation.
What Is Triple Therapy?
To treat COPD, the triple treatment uses three inhalants:
- a corticosteroid to bring down the swelling in your airways
- a long-acting beta-agonist to relax the muscles around your airway
- an anticholinergic drug to widen the large airways
Triple treatment was formerly administered by two different inhalers. Both a long-acting beta-agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid were packaged into a single inhaler. The anticholinergic substance was hidden in the other.
Trelegy Ellipta is the first inhaler to combine three treatments into one, and the FDA authorized it in 2017. Specifically, it combines:
- fluticasone furoate, a corticosteroid
- vilanterol, a long-acting beta-agonist
- umeclidinium, an anticholinergic
Trelegy Ellipta is a once-daily powdered drug that is inhaled by an inhaler. This drug helps you breathe better for a whole day by widening your airway, decreasing lung edema, and relaxing your respiratory muscles.
If your COPD symptoms are not under control and you keep having flare-ups, your doctor may prescribe triple treatment.
RELATED: What Works Best to Ease Flare-Ups of COPD?
What Is Dual Therapy?
The inhaler used in dual treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease contains two different medications. Since 2013, patients have had access to this therapy.
In some instances, doctors may prescribe a combination of an anticholinergic and a long-acting beta-agonist.:
- Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium and vilanterol)
- Duaklir (aclidinium bromide and formoterol fumarate)
Another combines a long-acting beta-agonist with a corticosteroid: