COPD News

News about the treatment and management of COPD, including current findings and information on promising new drugs.

Shortness of breath Donald Mahler Shortness of breath Donald Mahler

Is Triple Therapy Better Than Two Bronchodilators In COPD?

"Triple therapy" refers to three different inhaled medications - a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). The two FDA approved “triple therapy inhalers" are Breztri and Trelegy. “Dual therapy” is two bronchodilators – a combination of a LABA and LAMA. In an analysis of 11 studies, there was no difference in shortness of breath scores or risk of hospitalization between triple therapy versus dual bronchodilator therapy in those with COPD. However, in individuals with a history of one or more flare-ups in the past year, the benefits of triple therapy for reducing future flare-ups outweigh the increased risk of pneumonia.

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