budesonide + formoterol + glycopyrronium at a glance
Medicine class
Inhaled corticosteroid, long-acting beta2 agonist and long-acting muscarinic antagonist.
Licensed role
Maintenance treatment for eligible adults with moderate to severe COPD.
Inhaler type
Pressurised metered-dose inhaler containing a suspension.
Important practical point
Rinse your mouth with water after inhalation and spit it out to reduce oral thrush risk.
What is budesonide + formoterol + glycopyrronium used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Maintenance treatment of moderate to severe COPD in adults not adequately treated by an inhaled corticosteroid plus long-acting beta2 agonist, or by a long-acting beta2 agonist plus long-acting muscarinic antagonist.
Improving symptom control and helping prevent COPD exacerbations in this licensed population.
How does budesonide + formoterol + glycopyrronium work?
Budesonide reduces airway inflammation. Formoterol stimulates beta2 receptors, while glycopyrronium blocks muscarinic M3 receptors. The two bronchodilators relax airway muscle through different pathways, reducing airway narrowing.
budesonide + formoterol + glycopyrronium preparations and strengths
Inhaled preparation
Route: Inhaled
Strengths: 5 micrograms + 7.2 micrograms + 160 micrograms
How to take budesonide + formoterol + glycopyrronium
Use only by inhalation and follow the product instructions and prescriber's directions. Shake and prime it as instructed, coordinate pressing the canister with inhaling, and have your technique checked regularly. A compatible spacer may help if coordination is difficult. Rinse your mouth with water afterwards and spit it out.
Read the patient leaflet and inhaler instructions before first use.
Ask a healthcare professional to demonstrate and periodically check your technique.
Keep the mouthpiece clean and capped.
Do not use the inhaler if the desiccant packet has leaked.
budesonide + formoterol + glycopyrronium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Oral thrush
- Headache
- Nausea
- Cough or hoarse voice
- Muscle cramps
- Palpitations
- Anxiety or difficulty sleeping
- Raised blood glucose
- Urinary tract infection
- Pneumonia
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden wheezing or breathlessness immediately after inhalation
- Facial, tongue or throat swelling; breathing difficulty; hives with breathing difficulty; or faintness
- Fever or chills with increased or discoloured mucus, worsening cough or breathlessness, which may indicate pneumonia
- Chest pain or a fast or irregular heartbeat
- New blurred vision, eye pain or another significant visual disturbance
- Difficulty passing urine
budesonide + formoterol + glycopyrronium in pregnancy
Evidence for the complete combination during pregnancy is limited, although information about inhaled budesonide is reassuring. A prescriber should weigh maternal benefit against possible fetal risk. Do not stop prescribed respiratory treatment without medical advice, because poorly controlled breathing disease can also be harmful.
budesonide + formoterol + glycopyrronium while breastfeeding
Inhaled budesonide produces very low infant exposure and is generally considered compatible with breastfeeding. Human-milk information for formoterol and glycopyrronium is limited, so the prescriber should balance maternal benefit against possible risk to the child.
budesonide + formoterol + glycopyrronium interactions
Check all inhalers, eye drops, prescribed treatments and non-prescription products with a healthcare professional. Important interactions include:
Other long-acting beta2 agonists or antimuscarinic inhalers
Combined use is not recommended because bronchodilator and anticholinergic adverse effects may increase.
Beta-blockers, including timolol eye drops
They may weaken or block formoterol's bronchodilator effect and require clinical review.
Strong CYP3A inhibitors, including itraconazole, ketoconazole, ritonavir and cobicistat
They can increase budesonide exposure and the risk of systemic corticosteroid effects.
Common questions about budesonide + formoterol + glycopyrronium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is budesonide + formoterol + glycopyrronium a reliever inhaler?
No. It is maintenance treatment and should not be used for sudden breathlessness or wheezing. Follow the prescribed plan for acute symptoms.
Is it licensed for asthma?
The selected product's licence covers COPD, not asthma.
Why should I rinse my mouth afterwards?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.