From the Guidelines
Breztri is not recommended for allergic asthma, as it is specifically approved for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), not asthma. For allergy-induced asthma, more appropriate medications include inhaled corticosteroids (like Flovent or Qvar), combination inhaled corticosteroids with long-acting beta-agonists (like Advair or Symbicort), leukotriene modifiers (like Singulair), or biologics targeting specific allergic pathways (like Xolair) depending on severity, as recommended by the 2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines 1. These medications work by reducing airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction caused by allergic triggers. According to the expert panel report 3 (EPR-3): guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma-summary report 2007, inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are the most consistently effective long-term control medication at all steps of care for persistent asthma 1.
Some key points to consider in the management of allergic asthma include:
- Identifying and avoiding specific allergens
- Maintaining good adherence to prescribed asthma medications
- Having a rescue inhaler (like albuterol) available for symptom flare-ups
- Using a combination of medications, such as ICS-formoterol in a single inhaler, as both daily controller and reliever therapy, which is recommended for individuals aged 4 y and older with moderate to severe persistent asthma 1.
Using a medication like Breztri that's not indicated for asthma could lead to inadequate symptom control and unnecessary exposure to medications you don't need. Therefore, it is essential to follow the recommended guidelines and use medications that are specifically approved for asthma management to ensure the best possible outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Breztri Aerosphere for Allergic Asthma
- Breztri Aerosphere is a combination medication containing budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol, which is used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [ 2 ].
- While the provided studies primarily focus on the treatment of COPD and asthma using combination therapies, there is limited direct evidence on the use of Breztri Aerosphere specifically for allergic asthma.
- However, the components of Breztri Aerosphere, such as budesonide and formoterol, have been studied in the context of asthma treatment, including allergic asthma [ 3, 4, 5, 6 ].
- Budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid, and formoterol, a long-acting beta2-agonist, are commonly used in combination for the treatment of asthma, including allergic asthma [ 3, 4, 5, 6 ].
- The addition of glycopyrrolate, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist, to budesonide and formoterol may provide additional benefits in terms of lung function and symptom control [ 2 ].
Mechanism of Action and Efficacy
- The combination of budesonide and formoterol has been shown to provide superior control of asthma symptoms, including a reduction in severe exacerbations, compared to inhaled corticosteroids alone [ 3 ].
- The use of budesonide and formoterol in a single inhaler has been demonstrated to be safe, effective, and convenient for the management of patients with asthma [ 3 ].
- The addition of glycopyrrolate to budesonide and formoterol may enhance the efficacy of the combination therapy in patients with COPD and phenotypic features of asthma [ 2 ].
Safety and Tolerability
- The safety and tolerability of budesonide and formoterol have been established in numerous studies, with a favorable safety profile compared to other combination therapies [ 3, 4, 5, 6 ].
- The addition of glycopyrrolate to budesonide and formoterol has been shown to be well-tolerated, with no significant increase in adverse events [ 2 ].