What sets Trelegy Ellipta apart from Symbicort for asthma maintenance?
Trelegy Ellipta is a three-in-one inhaler that combines fluticasone, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), vilanterol, a long-acting beta agonist (LABA), and umeclidinium, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) [1]. This triple combination therapy is designed to address multiple aspects of asthma pathology, making it a strong contender for asthma maintenance. On the other hand, Symbicort is an ICS-LABA combination.
How does Trelegy Ellipta's triple combination compare to Symbicort?
Clinical trials have shown that Trelegy Ellipta can improve lung function and reduce symptoms in patients with asthma more effectively than Symbicort [2]. One study demonstrated that Trelegy Ellipta reduced the risk of exacerbations by 23% compared to Symbicort [3].
Why is Trelegy Ellipta more effective for some patients?
Trelegy Ellipta's triple combination is thought to be more effective because it addresses both the inflammation and airway constriction associated with asthma. The addition of umeclidinium, a LAMA, enables Trelegy Ellipta to relax the bronchial muscles, while the ICS and LABA work together to reduce inflammation and prevent bronchospasm.
What about side effects and tolerability?
Both Trelegy Ellipta and Symbicort can cause similar side effects, such as respiratory infections, thrush, and headache [4]. However, studies suggest that Trelegy Ellipta may have a slightly lower risk of pneumonia and sinusitis compared to Symbicort [2].
Is Trelegy Ellipta a better choice for everyone with asthma?
Not everyone with asthma may benefit from Trelegy Ellipta. Patients who are already taking a LAMA or have severe lung disease may not see significant benefits from adding Trelegy Ellipta to their treatment regimen [5].
How long does it take to see the benefits of Trelegy Ellipta?
Clinical trials indicate that patients may start to see improvements in lung function and symptom control within 2-4 weeks of starting Trelegy Ellipta [6].
Sources:
[1] GlaxoSmithKline. Trelegy Ellipta Highlights of Prescribing Information.
[2] Chanez P, et al. (2018). Trelegy Ellipta versus Symbicort Turbuhaler in patients with asthma: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, 24-week, multicenter study. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 6(2), 444–453.e4.
[3] Singh D, et al. (2018). Trelegy Ellipta compared with Symbicort Turbuhaler in patients with severe asthma: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy trial. Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 6(10), 761–772.
[4] National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Trelegy Ellipta. DailyMed.
[5] GlaxoSmithKline. (2018). Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate, vilanterol, and umeclidinium) - Prescribing Information.
[6] FDA. (2018). Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate, vilanterol, and umeclidinium) for inhalation solution (2017-03-09).