Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol) is used to control wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD; a group of diseases that affect the lungs and airways, that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Fluticasone is in a class of medications called steroids. Umeclidinium is in a class of medication called anticholinergics. Vilanterol is in a class of medications called long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs). The combination of fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

The combination of fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol comes as a powder to inhale by mouth using a special inhaler. It is usually inhaled once a day. Inhale fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part that you do not understand. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not use fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol inhalation during a sudden COPD attack. Your doctor will prescribe a short acting (rescue) inhaler to use during COPD attacks. Fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol inhalation controls COPD but does not cure it. Continue to use fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol even if you feel well. Do not stop using fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol without talking to your doctor. If you stop using fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol inhalation, your symptoms may return. Before you use fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol inhalation for the first time, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use the inhaler. Practice using your inhaler while he or she watches.

To use the inhaler, follow these steps:

• If you will be using a new inhaler for the first time, remove it from the box and the foil wrapper. Fill in the "Tray opened" and "Discard" blanks on the inhaler label with the date that you opened the pouch and the date 6 weeks later when you must replace the inhaler.
• When you are ready to inhale your dose, slide the cover down to expose the mouthpiece until it clicks. If you open and close the inhaler without using your dose, you will waste the medication.
• The counter will count down by 1 each time you open the cover. If the counter does not count down, your inhaler will not provide the medicine. If your inhaler does not count down, call your pharmacist or doctor.
• Hold the inhaler away from your mouth and breathe out as far as you comfortably can. Do not breathe out into the mouthpiece.
• Put the mouthpiece between your lips, and close your lips firmly around it. Take a long, steady, deep breath in through your mouth. Do not breathe in through your nose. Be careful not to block the air vent with your fingers.
• Remove the inhaler from your mouth, and hold your breath for about 3 to 4 seconds or as long as you comfortably can. Breathe out slowly.
• You may or may not taste or feel the medicine released by the inhaler. Even if you do not taste or feel the medicine, do not inhale another dose. If you are not sure you are getting your dose of fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol, call your doctor or pharmacist.
• You may clean the mouthpiece with a dry tissue, if needed. Slide the cover up over the mouthpiece as far as it will go to close the inhaler.
• Rinse your mouth with water and spit the water out. Do not swallow the water.
• After you have inhaled the last dose, the counter will show "0" and will be empty.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Before using fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluticasone (Flonase, Flovent), umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta, in Anoro Ellipta), vilanterol (in Anoro Ellipta, in Breo Ellipta), any other medications, milk protein, or any other ingredients in fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol inhalation. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor if you use another LABA such as arformoterol (Brovana), formoterol (Perforomist, in Dulera), indacaterol (Arcapta), or salmeterol (in Advair, Serevent). These medications should not be used along with fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol inhalation. Your doctor will tell you which medication you should use and which medication you should stop using.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: antifungals such as itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend); antihistamines; atropine (in Lomotil, Motofen); beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol, medications for irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease, ulcers, or urinary problems; nefazodone; telithromycin (Ketek).
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or have stopped taking them during the past 2 weeks: antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Silenor), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), and others. Many other medications may also interact with fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become weak and fragile), and if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, seizures, hyperthyroidism (condition in which there is too much thyroid hormone in the body), diabetes, glaucoma (an eye disease), cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eyes), tuberculosis (TB), any condition that affects your immune system, prostate or bladder problems, or heart or liver disease. Also tell your doctor if you have a herpes eye infection, pneumonia, or any other type of infection.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol.
• tell your doctor if you have never had chickenpox or measles and have not been vaccinated against these infections. Stay away from people who are sick, especially people who have chickenpox or measles. If you are exposed to these infections or if you develop symptoms of these infections, call your doctor immediately. You may need to get a vaccine (shot) to protect you from these infections.

Fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol may cause side effects including: 

• nervousness
• shaking of a part of your body that you cannot control
• runny nose, sore throat
• taste changes
• back pain

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away. Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following side effects, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• hives; rash; swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
• pounding fast, or irregular heartbeat
• chest pain
• coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness that begins after you inhale the medication
• weakness, nausea, vomiting, or lack of energy
• eye pain, redness, or discomfort, blurred vision, or seeing halos or bright colors around lights
• difficulty urinating or urinating in a weak stream or drips
• fever, chills, or other signs of infection
• cough, difficulty breathing, or change in the color of sputum (the mucus you may cough up)

Fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol may increase the risk that you will develop glaucoma, cataracts, or osteoporosis. You will probably need to have regular eye exams and bone tests during your treatment with fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol. Fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

Q: Why is Trelegy Ellipta prescribed?

A: Trelegy Ellipta is used to improve symptoms and prevent bronchospasm in adults with COPD.

Q: What is Trelegy Ellipta made of?

A: It is a combination of fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol

Q: Does Trelegy Ellipta have a generic alternative?

A: Currently, there is no generic available for this medication

Q: What if I miss a dose of Trelegy Ellipta?

A: Inhale the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use more than one dose in a day and do not inhale a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Q: How should I store this medication?

A: Trelegy Ellipta should be kept in the foil tray it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from sunlight, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).