Beclometasone + formoterol + glycopyrronium at a glance
Medicine class
Triple inhaler: inhaled corticosteroid, long-acting beta2-agonist and long-acting muscarinic antagonist.
Usual role
Maintenance treatment for selected adults with uncontrolled asthma; it is not a rescue inhaler.
Device
Extrafine pressurised metered-dose inhaler with a dose counter. An AeroChamber Plus spacer may help when coordination is difficult.
Mouth care
Rinse or gargle without swallowing, or brush your teeth, after use to reduce oral thrush.
What is Beclometasone + formoterol + glycopyrronium used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Maintenance treatment of asthma in adults not adequately controlled by high-dose inhaled corticosteroid plus long-acting beta2-agonist treatment, who had at least one asthma exacerbation in the previous year.
How does Beclometasone + formoterol + glycopyrronium work?
Beclometasone suppresses airway inflammation. Formoterol relaxes airway smooth muscle, while glycopyrronium blocks signals that constrict the airways. The extrafine aerosol co-deposits all three medicines within the lungs.
Beclometasone + formoterol + glycopyrronium preparations and strengths
Inhaled preparation
Route: Inhaled
Strengths: 87 micrograms + 5 micrograms + 9 micrograms, 88 micrograms + 5 micrograms + 9 micrograms/actuation, 172 micrograms + 5 micrograms + 9 micrograms
How to take Beclometasone + formoterol + glycopyrronium
Use exactly as prescribed. It can be taken with or without food because it is inhaled.
Sit or stand upright and check that the mouthpiece is clean.
Breathe out away from the inhaler. Seal your lips around the mouthpiece and begin a slow, deep breath while pressing the canister.
Hold your breath for as long as comfortable, then breathe out slowly away from the inhaler.
Replace the cap and rinse or gargle without swallowing, or brush your teeth.
Wipe the mouthpiece weekly with a dry cloth; do not wash it or remove the canister.
Ask a clinician or pharmacist about an AeroChamber Plus spacer if coordinating inhalation and actuation is difficult.
Beclometasone + formoterol + glycopyrronium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sore or inflamed throat
- Oral thrush
- Hoarse voice
- Headache
- Runny or blocked nose
- Urinary tract infection
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden worsening of wheeze or breathlessness after inhalation
- Serious allergic reaction, including facial, lip, tongue or throat swelling
- Eye pain, redness, blurred vision or coloured halos
- Marked palpitations, chest pain or abnormal heartbeat
- Difficulty passing urine or inability to urinate
- Fever, changed mucus or worsening cough and breathing difficulty suggesting lung infection
Beclometasone + formoterol + glycopyrronium in pregnancy
Data for this combination are limited. The UK product information advises avoiding it during pregnancy and labour unless the expected benefit outweighs potential fetal risk. Discuss pregnancy promptly with the prescriber and do not alter established asthma treatment independently.
Beclometasone + formoterol + glycopyrronium while breastfeeding
There are no relevant clinical breastfeeding data for the complete combination. Beclometasone exposure through milk is expected to be low, but transfer of formoterol and glycopyrronium is unknown, and glycopyrronium could reduce milk production. The prescriber should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding and treatment.
Beclometasone + formoterol + glycopyrronium interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines, including inhalers and eye drops. Important examples include:
Non-selective beta-blockers, including beta-blocker eye drops
May block formoterol’s bronchodilator effect and worsen breathing.
Other beta-adrenergic medicines
May increase tremor, palpitations and cardiovascular effects.
Other anticholinergic medicines
Long-term combination is not recommended because adverse effects may increase.
Common questions about Beclometasone + formoterol + glycopyrronium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is Trimbow a reliever inhaler?
No. It is maintenance treatment and should not treat a sudden asthma attack. Use the prescribed fast-acting reliever for acute symptoms.
Why should I rinse my mouth after using it?
Beclometasone can promote oral thrush and throat irritation. Rinsing or gargling without swallowing, or brushing your teeth, reduces this risk.
Can it be used with a spacer?
The selected pressurised inhaler may be used with an AeroChamber Plus spacer when coordinating the spray with breathing is difficult.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.