Using your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® inhaler correctly is crucial to ensure you receive the full benefit of your medication. This guide provides a comprehensive, easy-to-follow walkthrough on how to prepare, use, and maintain your inhaler. BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® is prescribed for the long-term treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and is designed to help you breathe better and experience fewer flare-ups. It’s important to remember that BREZTRI is not a rescue inhaler and should not be used for sudden breathing problems. Always use BREZTRI as directed by your healthcare provider.
Understanding Your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® Inhaler Parts
Before you start, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the different parts of your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® inhaler. Knowing each component will make using and maintaining your inhaler easier.
- Mouthpiece Cover: This cap protects the mouthpiece from dust and debris when the inhaler is not in use. Always keep it covered when you’re not taking a dose.
- Mouthpiece: This is where the medicine is sprayed out. You will place this part in your mouth to inhale the medication.
- Actuator: The plastic casing that holds the pressurized canister and mouthpiece.
- Pressurized Canister: This metal container is inside the actuator and holds your BREZTRI medication.
- Puff Indicator: This helpful feature is attached to the top of the canister and shows you how many puffs of medication are left in your inhaler.
Reading the Puff Indicator
The puff indicator is designed to help you keep track of your medication usage. Here’s how to understand it:
- The indicator counts down by one with each spray of medication.
- The display window shows a number for every 10 puffs remaining.
- An arrow points to the approximate number of puffs left.
Yellow Zone: When the pointer enters the yellow zone, it’s a reminder to order a new BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® inhaler to avoid running out of medication.
Red Zone (0): Once the pointer reaches 0 in the red zone, you should throw away the inhaler. Do not attempt to use the inhaler when it’s in the red zone because you will not receive a full dose of medication.
Priming Your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® Inhaler Before First Use
Priming your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® inhaler is a crucial step before you use it for the first time. This ensures that you get the correct dose of medication with each puff. It’s important not to skip this step. Extra puffs are included in your inhaler to account for priming.
- Remove the mouthpiece cover.
- Shake the inhaler well.
- Press down firmly on the top of the canister to release one test puff into the air. Make sure to point the inhaler away from your face.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 three more times. This means you will perform a total of four test puffs, shaking the inhaler before each puff.
After completing these four priming puffs, your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® inhaler is ready for daily use.
Daily Use of Your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® Inhaler
For daily use, follow these steps to ensure you are correctly taking your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® medication:
-
Remove the mouthpiece cover.
-
Check the mouthpiece for any foreign objects. If you see anything, remove it before proceeding.
-
Shake the inhaler well before each puff. This is important to mix the medication properly.
-
Breathe out fully to empty your lungs as much as possible.
-
Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips tightly around it. Ensure a good seal to prevent medication from escaping.
-
Start to breathe in deeply and slowly through your mouth. While breathing in, press down firmly on the top of the canister to release one puff of BREZTRI.
-
Continue to inhale deeply until your lungs are full.
-
Hold your breath for up to 10 seconds, or as long as comfortably possible. This allows the medication to reach deep into your lungs.
-
Breathe out slowly.
-
For your second puff (if prescribed two puffs per dose), repeat steps 3 through 9. Remember to shake the inhaler again before the second puff.
-
Replace the mouthpiece cover after use.
Important Dosage Reminder: Typically, the prescribed dosage for BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® is two puffs in the morning and two puffs in the evening. Always follow your doctor’s specific instructions on dosage and frequency.
Rinsing Your Mouth After Each Use
After using your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® inhaler, it’s important to rinse your mouth with water. This helps to prevent fungal infections like thrush (oral candidiasis), a common side effect of inhaled corticosteroids.
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
- Spit out the water.
- Do not swallow the water.
Cleaning Your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® Inhaler
Regularly cleaning your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® inhaler actuator is essential to prevent medication buildup that can block the spray and affect dosage accuracy. You should rinse the actuator weekly.
- Remove the canister from the actuator and set it aside, keeping it dry. Also, remove the mouthpiece cover.
- Run warm water through the mouthpiece for 30 seconds.
- Run warm water through the top of the actuator for another 30 seconds. Ensure you rinse both from the inside and outside.
- Rinse for a total of 60 seconds.
- Shake off as much excess water as possible from the actuator.
- Do not use a towel or tissue to dry the actuator, as this can leave fibers inside.
- Inspect the actuator and mouthpiece for any remaining medication buildup. If you see any, repeat the rinsing process.
- Allow the actuator to air dry completely, ideally overnight. Make sure it is fully dry before reassembling. Do not put the canister back into a wet actuator.
- Once the actuator is dry, reassemble your inhaler. First, replace the mouthpiece cover, then gently press the canister back down into the actuator.
Re-priming After Rinsing, Dropping, or Infrequent Use
It’s necessary to re-prime your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® inhaler in certain situations to ensure it is ready to deliver medication accurately:
- After rinsing and drying the actuator: Re-priming is needed after cleaning.
- If the inhaler is dropped: Dropping it may affect the inhaler’s mechanism.
- If the inhaler has not been used for more than 7 days: Medication can settle if not used regularly.
To re-prime: Perform two test puffs into the air, shaking well before each puff.
Important Safety Information
BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® contains budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate. It is crucial to be aware of the following safety information:
- BREZTRI is for long-term treatment of COPD only and not for asthma. It is not a rescue inhaler and will not provide immediate relief for sudden breathing problems. Always have a separate rescue inhaler for those situations.
- Do not use BREZTRI if you are allergic to budesonide, glycopyrrolate, formoterol fumarate, or any other ingredients in BREZTRI.
- Avoid using BREZTRI with other medications that contain long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists (LABA) or anticholinergics.
- Inform your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions and all medications you are taking before starting BREZTRI.
Call your healthcare provider immediately if:
- Your breathing problems worsen.
- You need to use your rescue inhaler more frequently than usual.
- Your rescue inhaler is not working as well as it normally does.
BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® can cause serious side effects, including:
- Thrush (fungal infection) in the mouth or throat. Rinsing your mouth after use can help prevent this.
- Pneumonia. COPD patients have a higher risk of pneumonia. Report symptoms like increased mucus, change in mucus color, fever, chills, increased cough, or breathing problems to your doctor immediately.
- Weakened immune system.
- Adrenal insufficiency.
- Sudden breathing problems immediately after inhaling BREZTRI. Stop use and seek medical help right away.
- Serious allergic reactions (rash, hives, swelling, breathing problems). Seek emergency medical care.
- Heart problems (increased blood pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain).
- Nervous system effects (tremors, nervousness).
- Bone thinning (osteoporosis).
- Eye problems (glaucoma, cataracts). Report any new or worsening vision issues immediately.
- Urinary retention. Stop use and contact your doctor if you have difficulty urinating.
- Changes in blood sugar and potassium levels.
Common side effects include: upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, hoarseness, back pain, thrush, flu, muscle spasms, urinary tract infection, cough, sinus inflammation, and diarrhea.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For more detailed information, please refer to the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information provided with your medication, and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
Conclusion
Proper use of your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® inhaler is vital for managing your COPD effectively. By following these step-by-step instructions on priming, daily use, rinsing your mouth, and cleaning your inhaler, you can ensure you are receiving your medication correctly and minimizing potential side effects. If you have any questions or concerns about using your BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® inhaler, always consult your healthcare professional for personalized guidance. They can provide tailored advice based on your specific health condition and needs.
