Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate) is a long-acting prescription inhaler used to improve symptoms of COPD. This drug can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include pneumonia and mouth yeast.
Specifically, Breztri Aerosphere is used in adults to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-ups. This includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Breztri Aerosphere has not been studied or approved for use in children.
Breztri Aerosphere is used twice a day, every day. It is not approved for treating asthma or bronchospasm (sudden breathing problems). For times when you have trouble breathing, keep a separate rescue inhaler on hand.
Breztri Aerosphere contains three active ingredients: budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes in a pressurized, metered-dose inhaler that delivers a fine mist you inhale into your lungs.
Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Breztri Aerosphere can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.
Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Breztri Aerosphere treatment. A few examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:
Mild side effects have been reported with Breztri Aerosphere. These include:
Sometimes, side effects such as cough, headache, dizziness, nausea, or diarrhea are mild and may go away over time. And others, such as dry mouth and sore throat, may be easily managed by over-the-counter (OTC) medications. But if you have ongoing or bothersome symptoms, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Breztri Aerosphere unless your doctor recommends it.
Breztri Aerosphere may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
Serious side effects have been reported with Breztri Aerosphere. These include:
If you develop serious side effects while using Breztri Aerosphere, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Breztri Aerosphere, visit MedWatch.
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Breztri Aerosphere’s side effects.
Is weight gain a side effect of Breztri Aerosphere?
No. Weight gain was not reported in studies of Breztri. One of the three active ingredients in Breztri Aerosphere is a corticosteroid. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Corticosteroids may cause weight gain when taken orally. However, Breztri is inhaled into your lungs. Only a minimal amount of the drug is absorbed into your system through your lungs, so it isn’t likely to cause weight gain.
How can I prevent mouth thrush from Breztri Aerosphere?
The corticosteroid portion of Breztri Aerosphere can irritate the lips, mouth, and throat by allowing thrush (a fungal infection) to grow. This can cause cracked lips and sore mouth, tongue, and throat. You may even have difficulty swallowing if this fungal (yeast) infection becomes severe.
It’s best to rinse your mouth with plain, clean, lukewarm water after finishing each dose of Breztri. Swish the water around for 1–2 minutes, and then spit it out. Rinsing with mouthwash can worsen thrush, so avoid using it for rinsing your mouth during Breztri treatment. Brushing, flossing, and cleaning your tongue with a mild toothpaste daily will help reduce your risk of thrush. Contact your doctor if your mouth becomes sore and coated with a white film.
Does Breztri Aerosphere cause long-term side effects?
It’s possible. Long-term side effects include those that may start any time during treatment with a drug, even if you’ve used it for a long time. They also include side effects that may not go away, even after you stop using the medication.
Examples of long-term side effects reported in Breztri Aerosphere’s studies include:
Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible side effects of Breztri Aerosphere and how long they may last.
Learn more about some of the side effects Breztri Aerosphere may cause.
Weakened immune system
A weakened immune system leading to infection was a common side effect reported in studies of Breztri Aerosphere. A weakened immune system may lead to:
Factors that can increase the risk of a weakened immune system with this drug include:
What might help
To help prevent yeast infection in the mouth (thrush), it’s important to always rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after using Breztri Aerosphere inhaler.
Consider reviewing your immunization record with your pharmacist before starting Breztri Aerosphere treatment. Getting up to date on your vaccines before starting Breztri may help lower your risk of frequent or severe infections. These vaccines may include: flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, Tdap, RSV, and shingles.
If you develop symptoms of an infection, such as fever, cough, or chest congestion, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend an urgent medical evaluation and possible antibiotics or antivirals to treat an infection.
Heart problems
Heart problems were an infrequent side effect reported in studies of Breztri Aerosphere. Heart problems may cause symptoms such as:
Factors that can increase the risk of heart problems when using this drug include:
And do not use more Breztri than your doctor has prescribed. Higher doses increase the risk of significant heart problems and death.
What might help
If you have heart problem symptoms during Breztri Aerosphere treatment, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll likely have you stop the medication and recommend an urgent medical evaluation.
Allergic reaction
Like most drugs, Breztri Aerosphere can cause an allergic reaction in some people. In rare cases, this drug may cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itchiness
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:
- an antihistamine you swallow, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Breztri Aerosphere, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Breztri Aerosphere, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Keeping track of side effects
During your Breztri Aerosphere treatment, consider taking notes on side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.
Your side effect notes can include:
- what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
- how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
- what your symptoms were
- how your symptoms affected your daily activities
- what other medications you were taking
- any other information you feel is important
Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Breztri Aerosphere affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
The following is important information you should consider before starting treatment with Breztri Aerosphere.
Warnings
Breztri Aerosphere can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Breztri Aerosphere is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Breztri Aerosphere. Be sure to tell them whether any of the following factors apply to you:
- asthma
- actively worsening COPD
- changing from a long-term oral or injectable steroid to Breztri
- current infection, such as bacterial (tuberculosis), viral (HIV, eye herpes), fungal, or parasitic
- recent exposure to chicken pox or measles
- use of other inhaled long-acting-beta 2-agonists (LABAs)
- use of other medications, herbs, vitamins, or over-the-counter (OTC) products
- heart problems, including coronary insufficiency, heart arrhythmias, high blood pressure
- seizures
- overactive thyroid
- diabetes
- liver or kidney problems
- weakened immune system
- prostate or bladder problems or urinary retention (not being able to fully empty your bladder)
- cataracts or glaucoma, especially narrow-angle glaucoma
- osteoporosis (weakened bones)
- previous allergic reaction to Breztri Aerosphere
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
Alcohol and Breztri Aerosphere
There are no known interactions between alcohol and Breztri Aerosphere. But alcohol may worsen the side effects of dizziness, nausea, and headache caused by Breztri.
Breztri and alcohol are both processed in the liver for the body to remove. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol while using Breztri may interfere with the body’s ability to clear the drug from your system.
If you have oral thrush (a yeast infection in your mouth) from Breztri, alcohol may make it worse. It’s best to avoid alcohol until a yeast infection has cleared up.
If you have questions about consuming alcohol during Breztri Aerosphere treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Breztri Aerosphere
There is limited information about the safety of Breztri Aerosphere use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Pregnancy
It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Breztri Aerosphere during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Breztri Aerosphere.
If you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor may recommend using a form of birth control during your Breztri Aerosphere treatment.
Breastfeeding
It isn’t known whether Breztri Aerosphere is safe to use while breastfeeding. Studies have not checked the effects on milk production or the amount of Breztri that passes into breast milk. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.
Like most drugs, Breztri Aerosphere can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. If you have questions about side effects this drug can cause, talk with your doctor.
Examples of questions to help get you started include:
- Do I have a higher risk of certain side effects than others?
- What can I do to help prevent insomnia (trouble sleeping) from Breztri Aerosphere?
- How likely is it that Breztri Aerosphere will cause osteoporosis, and how can I prevent that?
- I am taking oral steroids. How can I transition to Breztri Aerosphere?
To learn more about Breztri Aerosphere, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: 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.
Article source and credits to https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/breztri-side-effects