Generic Name: Trelegy Ellipta for COPD (fluticasone-umeclidinium-vilanterol)
"I had used Advair and Spiriva for many years, and my COPD was slowly getting worse and worse. My doctor put me on oxygen. The bathroom is only a few feet from my bed, and I couldn't make it in there without my oxygen on. Every 3 months or so, I would have to go to the ER for a breathing treatment and steroids. About 2 years ago, he told me to use Trelegy instead. I recently noticed that I wasn't using my oxygen while in my room, and I wasn't needing the oxygen to go to the bathroom. And I was walking all over the house without my oxygen on. I haven't been to the ER in over 2 years now. I know that there isn't a cure for COPD, but I honestly think that Trelegy has stopped the progression. Trelegy costs me $3.60 a month. I am on Standard Medicare and Obamacare."
"Took this for approx. 2 months and started noticing side effects: blurry vision, flu-like feeling, muscle aches, and cramps, and seemed to be getting less effective at controlling breathlessness. Quit taking and went to optometrist, and my eyes had developed cataracts, got a prescription for glasses, and assurance from Dr. that cataracts could be kept under control. Aches and pains went away, so I decided to give Trelegy another try. I have taken it again for approx. 1 month and I have flu-like symptoms back, muscle aches, and cramps, and bone pain in legs. My anion gap has gone from an 8 to a 4 in 6 months. I am discontinuing for the second time as I believe it is causing dangerous side effects. It helped my breathing, but I am afraid of the adverse side effects."
"I have been on Trelegy Ellipta for 12 days. It's been a Godsend. But I am worried about side effects after reading the reviews. I was taking my Albuterol every 4 to 6 hours (sometimes more), Symbicort 2x a day, and using the nebulizer. I could barely function. I couldn't walk from one room to another without gasping for breath. Yet my oxygen is always between 90-97. I never understood that. Severe COPD, 4th stage. I've tried so many inhalers. My lungs are only functioning at 25%. My Pulmonary Doctor is now discussing a lung transplant. I'm not on oxygen nor have I ever been (hope not to be). I just started pulmonary rehabilitation last week. Trelegy so far has been a good game-changer for me. I pray it continues to work. I'm able to do more again, breathe better, and use the rescue inhaler less. Lord, let this wonderful medication continue to work."
"I used for 6 weeks one drug to treat 3 conditions, great idea. At first, it seemed to work great. After 3 weeks, started to bloat up, excessive gas that couldn't be relieved, extreme constipation, just totally bound up. At 5 weeks, I got pneumonia in my left lung. I can't believe this drug is marketed - it did more damage in 6 weeks than if I took no meds for years. Never had pneumonia before, you have no idea how painful. If this had affected both lungs, I would likely not be leaving this review. You have been warned."
"I have 3rd stage emphysema and was put on ProAir. It worked really well, so when I changed doctors, he put me on Trelegy also. He said to keep ProAir for emergencies. The Trelegy helped really well for about a month. I wasn't using ProAir at all. Then the 2nd month, I started getting short of breath again and having to use the ProAir more often. Now my body feels as though it's trying to seize up on me. I almost forgot it was causing both my eyes to jump almost nonstop. They started to bother me quite a bit. Now something is going on with my legs. They had never swelled a day before, but now seem to stay swelled. I have decided to not take any tomorrow and rely on my inhaler. I can barely move, and it feels like I'm in slow motion when I do. Also, my toes started to seize on me. That was a terrible feeling. It's not worth feeling like this to me, plus it's making me feel really weak."
"I have been using Trelegy for 2 months. My breathing has improved 99%. I have not had to use my rescue inhaler at all since starting this. I have not used my nebulizer either. I feel like my old self. I could not be happier."
"Doctor gave me a 14-day sample. I took first and only dose in his office with him. By the time I left the parking structure, I started having a very heavy and deep cough. Burning sensation in bottom of lungs. Coughing for two days now, limited sleep. I was having good results with Breo and now Dr. gave this and it has made me very sick. Constipation, loss of taste, and feel like I am getting pneumonia. God help me."
"I have been taking Symbicort for several years without any noticeable side effects. My doctor prescribed Trelegy, and I took it for twenty-seven days and had swollen ankles, legs, hands, and a bloated face. I quit taking it and resumed Symbicort, and now have no noticeable swelling just after two days."
"I've been taking Trelegy for over a year for COPD. When I first started using it, it was great. I don't smoke and I'm not overweight. In the last couple of weeks, I've lost my breath walking down the stairs. It does not seem to work as well as it once did."
"My Pulmonary Dr put me on Trelegy starting with a 2-month sample. It did wonders for me, my breathing improved and I feel so much better. When I ordered it through my pharmacy, I was shocked to find out a 90-day supply costs me $405.20. I'm retired and have no additional income, so it appears the one drug that helps me is unaffordable to me."
"After being on 3 other meds, my Dr. suggested Trelegy since it was 3 meds in 1. I saw a big improvement right away. Regarding side effects, I haven't noticed any, although I am 77 and live with chronic pain and other problems which make it difficult sometimes to know what is causing what, if that makes sense. It has given me a more positive outlook about the COPD now that I'm using oxygen less and my breathing is much better."
"I have been using Trelegy for about 2 years now. No side effects. I have been able to exercise more effectively, with very little to no shortness of breath. In November 2018, I was forced to walk 8 miles through an unexpected snowstorm to get home. I feel that Trelegy enabled me to do this with really no ill effects. Great drug!"
"I have just changed from Fostair & Eklira Genuair, which, when first started years ago, worked fine. I have now been on Trelegy for 10 days without any side effects yet, but a HUGE improvement in my breathing. I feel as though I am breathing from my whole lungs (what's left of them through 40 years of smoking). Obviously, I stopped smoking many years ago. Here's a TIP to give up smoking: Do it after a bronchial infection that prevents your smoking for a week or two - after that, it is much easier."
"My breathing became worse when using Trelegy. I was so frightened. When having a shower, I had to lean on the wall as I couldn't catch my breath. I went to see my doctor, he told me to stop taking it. My chest is a bit better but not right. I stopped smoking 6 months ago and feel worse than when I did smoke."
"Dr. wanted to try Trelegy instead of current med Symbicort. First days were a miracle of full breaths with no shortness. By the end of the week, I was taken to the hospital with severe respiratory failure. The first days were so wonderful, I have actually toyed with trying it again? But no."
"I've been on this since February 12, 2020. At first, it seemed like a miracle! I've been to the ER on Thursday and Friday for severe back pain. They thought maybe it was kidney stones. After a CAT scan, an x-ray, and blood work, everything looks fine (I had a plate put in my neck 8 years ago) but the back pain is unbelievable! I've been in bed with limited movement, using a heating pad or ice, and prescribed a lidocaine pain patch. Today is Sunday, February 23, and I feel no better. I'm debating on taking it today. Does anyone else have back pain?"
"I was on Trelegy for 1 week and developed upper respiratory infection. Went on antibiotics and ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. I went off it and still have congested and cough and rash around my neck. I will never take this again"
"I switched from Advair to Trelegy since it seemed like a better choice since you only had to use it once a day. The problem with that was the second half of the day, I was short of breath again, so it only works for the first half. Also, my lips have become very sore and a bit swollen from the inhalation. I do rinse my mouth out immediately, and never had this problem with Advair, which I think I am going back to. Trelegy overrated in my opinion."
"I had been using ProAir and Symbicort for several years, prescribed by my PCP. I started seeing a pulmonologist to find out what stage COPD I have. During my visit with him, he suggested Trelegy, giving me samples of it to try. At first, I felt a definite difference in my breathing, only having to use it once a day and not having to rely on my ProAir that much. I only had to use my nebulizer once, at night. However, after using Trelegy for a little over a week, I ended up with pneumonia, which is one side effect of Trelegy. My PCP placed me on an antibiotic and Prednisone, which is a steroid. Now I'm wondering whether I have too much steroid in my system."
"I have used many inhalers over the past 6 years for COPD: Advair, Spiriva, and Breo. This, by far, has given me the most relief from my condition. It has improved my ability to go up and down stairs, do more walking, and engage in outdoor activities. It has offered a better quality of life. Thanks, Trelegy!"
"My doctor gave me samples. Within a week, I could breathe 50% better. No side effects. When I tried to fill a prescription, it was over $500 for two weeks of medication. Why? Because United Healthcare Rx refused to cover it. They told my doctor to prescribe Anoro instead. So, within a month, I am having extremely exacerbated breathing and can barely function. If someone would have told me 10 to 15 years ago that drug companies would have this much power, I would not have believed it."
"Was on Wixela (generic Advair) and Spiriva, but it was not going well. Tried Trelegy with incredible results. Several days into the first 14-day trial, I felt, for the first time since diagnosis, like I didn’t even have asthma. Wow, I am very hopeful again. Wonderful!"
"Trelegy Ellipta definitely improved my breathing, but gave me side effects of a racing heartbeat and palpitations, so had to stop it and go back to Spiolto Respimat, which is also very good and with no bad side effects."
"I've been taking Trelegy for 3 weeks now. I see a huge improvement in my breathing. I've been on almost every medicine for COPD in the past 9 years, and I can say this is the best for me. No side effects for me. Thank you, Trelegy."
"I was put on Trelegy from Spiriva. I can honestly say my breathing is better by about 90%. My wheezing and whistling have gone, and the mucus is nearly non-existent now. The only drawback is my throat feels raw for about half an hour after using the inhaler, plus I get a cough straight after. All in all, I am really happy with it!"
