Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol) is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for COPD and asthma in adults. As with other drugs, Trelegy Ellipta can cause side effects, such as headache, sore throat, and back pain.

Trelegy Ellipta can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Trelegy Ellipta in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Trelegy Ellipta use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Trelegy Ellipta’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Trelegy Ellipta when used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include:

  • headache
  • joint pain
  • unpleasant taste in your mouth
  • cough
  • hoarseness
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • urinary tract infection
  • upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold
  • sore throat*
  • oral thrush*
  • mild allergic reaction†

Mild side effects that have been reported with Trelegy Ellipta when used for asthma include:

  • sinus inflammation
  • runny nose
  • upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold
  • cough
  • headache
  • bronchitis
  • urinary tract infection
  • sore throat*
  • oral thrush*
  • mild allergic reaction†

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Trelegy Ellipta and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Trelegy Ellipta. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Trelegy Ellipta may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Trelegy Ellipta’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Trelegy Ellipta, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* A paradoxical reaction is an effect that is the opposite of what is expected. With paradoxical bronchospasm, the airways suddenly tighten after inhaling Trelegy Ellipta, which is expected to open the airways.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Trelegy Ellipta. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Trelegy Ellipta may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Trelegy Ellipta cause hair loss?

No, hair loss wasn’t a side effect reported by people who used Trelegy Ellipta in clinical trials.

In rare cases, corticosteroids that are taken by mouth, such as prednisolone, can cause hair loss. These drugs are sometimes used to treat flare-ups of COPD or asthma. However, inhaled corticosteroids, such as fluticasone, haven’t been shown to cause hair loss. Fluticasone is one of the active ingredients in Trelegy Ellipta.

If you have concerns about hair loss with your medications, talk with your doctor.

Do side effects of Trelegy Ellipta go away?

Most side effects caused by Trelegy Ellipta typically go away on their own after a few days to weeks as your body adjusts to the drug. It isn’t common, but some side effects, such as pneumonia, may be serious and require medical attention.

Talk with your doctor if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Trelegy Ellipta may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Trelegy Ellipta.

Oral thrush

Oral thrush (also known as thrush) is a common side effect of Trelegy Ellipta in clinical trials. Thrush is a fungal (yeast) infection inside your mouth.

Symptoms may include:

  • a bad taste in your mouth
  • pain with eating or swallowing
  • redness in your mouth
  • white or yellow bumps on your tongue, throat, or mouth
  • dry mouth

Trelegy Ellipta can reduce your body’s ability to fight infections. This is especially the case in the mouth and throat where the medication touches. Thrush is generally mild and is typically easy to treat.

What you can do

There are a few things you can do to help prevent thrush. You should always rinse your mouth out with water after each dose of Trelegy Ellipta. After rinsing, be sure to spit the water out (do not swallow it). Rinsing your mouth helps remove any leftover medication in it.

Talk with your doctor if you experience symptoms of thrush. Your doctor may recommend treatment with an antifungal medication to treat the infection. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to stop treatment with Trelegy Ellipta until the infection goes away.

Sore throat

Sore throat was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of Trelegy Ellipta. Your throat may also feel dry, or you may have difficulty swallowing. This side effect is usually temporary and goes away on its own.

What you can do

If you have a sore throat, you can try a few things that may help. Sometimes sucking on a throat lozenge or hard candy will help soothe your throat. Drinking warm beverages, such as tea or lemon water, can sometimes reduce pain and discomfort.

If you have a sore throat that is bothersome during treatment with Trelegy Ellipta, talk with your doctor. They may suggest additional ways to manage your sore throat.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Trelegy Ellipta can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

Before starting Trelegy Ellipta, it’s important to note that the drug powder contains milk proteins. These milk proteins can cause a serious allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to them. If you have a severe sensitivity to milk proteins, you should not start Trelegy Ellipta.

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Trelegy Ellipta. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Trelegy Ellipta. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Heart problems: Trelegy Ellipta is a combination drug that contains vilanterol, which can worsen certain heart problems such as high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm. If you have heart problems, talk with your doctor before starting Trelegy Ellipta. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Thyroid disorders: Tell your doctor if you have a thyroid disorder before using Trelegy Ellipta. If you have hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), Trelegy Ellipta may worsen your condition. Your doctor will monitor your thyroid levels during treatment with Trelegy Ellipta.

Glaucoma: If you have narrow-angle glaucoma, using Trelegy Ellipta could further increase the pressure in your eye. If you have eye pain or discomfort or blurred vision, tell your doctor right away. They may recommend changing to a different treatment option.

Diabetes: If you have diabetes, Trelegy Ellipta may worsen your condition. Talk with your doctor if you have diabetes. They may monitor your diabetes more closely during treatment with Trelegy Ellipta.

Osteoporosis: Trelegy Ellipta contains fluticasone, which can decrease bone mineral density if the drug is used long term. Using Trelegy Ellipta if you have osteoporosis or risk factors for osteoporosis may increase your chances of having a bone fracture. Your doctor may check your bone density before starting treatment and will continue to monitor it while you are taking the drug. If your bone density decreases, your doctor may recommend treatment with a medication for osteoporosis.

Urinary retention: If you have problems with your prostate or bladder and have urinary retention (not being able to empty your bladder fully), using Trelegy Ellipta could worsen your condition. If your urinary retention worsens while using Trelegy Ellipta, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a different medication for you.

Worsening of COPD: It’s possible that your COPD could worsen during treatment with Trelegy Ellipta. Your COPD may be getting worse if your symptoms are no longer controlled by Trelegy Ellipta, your rescue inhaler is not as effective, or you need to use your rescue inhaler more often. If your COPD worsens, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for you. You should not start treatment with Trelegy Ellipta if you have symptoms of COPD that are rapidly getting worse. Your doctor can determine whether your condition is stable enough to begin therapy with Trelegy Ellipta.

Infections: If you have a current infection, tell your doctor before using Trelegy Ellipta. Because the medication can weaken your immune system, it will be harder for your body to fight the infection. Your doctor may recommend treating your infection before starting Trelegy Ellipta.

Immune system problems: Trelegy Ellipta contains a corticosteroid, fluticasone, that can weaken your system. Tell your doctor if you have any immune system problems or are taking other medications that weaken your immune system. You may be at an increased risk of infections, such as chickenpox or measles, that could become serious. If you are exposed to chickenpox or measles while using Trelegy Ellipta, tell your doctor right away. These conditions can be more serious, or even fatal, in people with a weak immune system.

Liver problems: If you have liver problems, it will be harder for your body to remove Trelegy Ellipta from your system. Because of this, you may be at a higher risk of side effects while using the drug. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any liver problems. They can determine if Trelegy Ellipta is the best treatment option for you.

Seizures: Vilanterol can increase the risk of seizures in some people. If you have a seizure disorder, talk with your doctor before starting Trelegy Ellipta. They may recommend a different medication that doesn’t contain vilanterol.

Severe allergic reaction to milk proteins: If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to milk proteins in the past, you should not use Trelegy Ellipta. If you’re unsure whether you’ve had an allergic reaction to milk proteins, talk with your doctor.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Trelegy Ellipta or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Trelegy Ellipta. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known if Trelegy Ellipta is safe for you to use if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. They can discuss the risks and benefits of Trelegy Ellipta treatment with you.

Alcohol consumption: There’s no known interaction between Trelegy Ellipta and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol may worsen your symptoms of COPD or asthma. Talk with your doctor about whether it is safe to drink alcohol while you’re using Trelegy Ellipta.

Like most medications, Trelegy Ellipta can cause side effects. Most are mild and usually go away on their own. Trelegy Ellipta can also cause some serious side effects, although they aren’t common. You should talk with your doctor if you have any side effects that last, are bothersome, or are serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Trelegy Ellipta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.