Breztri Aerosphere® – A New Triple Therapy Inhaler for COPD

Drug Review: Volume 22, Issue 12 (PDF)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airways. Limited airflow to the lungs results in respiratory symptoms such as breathlessness, coughing, and wheezing. Patients with COPD have reduced quality of life as it limits daily activities, work participation and social activities. In Canada, COPD affects about 10% of the population and is one of the leading causes of hospitalization.

Currently, the main goal of treatment is to reduce the risk of sudden worsening of COPD, also known as exacerbations, and to alleviate respiratory symptoms. Clinical guidelines recommend treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) combined with a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) or a LAMA combined with a long-acting beta agonist (LABA). For patients with persistent symptoms despite dual therapy, step up to triple therapy, which includes three different drugs, is considered. Triple therapy consists of ICS (e.g. fluticasone, budesonide), LAMA (e.g. tiotropium, glycopyrronium), and LABA (e.g. salmeterol, formoterol). Thus, in cases when triple therapy is required to optimally control COPD, patients often resort to using multiple inhalers. This can lead to increased risk of improper inhaler use and noncompliance with complex treatment regimens, ultimately leading to poor health outcomes. Trelegy Ellipta was the only inhaler that offered triple therapy through a single device.

Breztri Aerosphere^® is the second triple therapy inhaler that can be used to reduce COPD exacerbations and to reduce airflow obstructions. Through clinical trials, Breztri Aerosphere^® was found to demonstrate a similar clinical profile as Trelegy Ellipta. Breztri Aerosphere^® uses a novel technology to better deliver drug to the lungs. It can also be used with an assistive inhaler device, such as a spacer, for patients who have difficulty adhering to proper device technique.

Breztri Aerosphere^® has comparable price to Trelegy Ellipta. As a new treatment option that can alleviate disease burden from patients with COPD, Breztri Aerosphere^® will be fully covered under ClaimSecure plans.