Different dose for Trelegy?
Hello all. My asthma doctor referred me to a pulmonologist several years ago. After ruling out heart issues, the pulmonologist diagnosed me with COPD. I have been under his care for a couple of years. I am on Trelegy inhalers monthly and am continuing CPAP therapy from long years ago.
A long lost friend contacted me about an unrelated issue. She is local, and the net result was that she gave me three Trelegy elliptical devices, still unexpired, in unopened packages. I was elated to go meet her and get them from her.
When I finally got them home and looked at them, I noticed right away that the three months worth of boxes in front of me are 200mcg, instead of the 100 mcg inhalers I have been using.
The gifted inhalers are perfect. But they are double the dose of my RX from my pulmonologist. I know that you are not doctors. I also know that a gift of three months worth of this medicine is nothing to be dismissed lightly, considered the monthly cost of these drugs.
I was being treated for asthma for a long time, and this gift is for the treatment of asthma. It’s the same drug, only more of the first ingredient. I am nearly 70 years old, and I know that doctors need to cover their bases. If I call my pulmonologist, he will probably tell me no. I am tempted to just use my gifted inhalers, and then I will deal with him at my annual appointment in September. I would love your feedback. Thank you.
Hi susan, and thanks for your post and your question. As you mentioned, we are not physicians nor are we able to provide medical advice over the internet (for your own safety). However, I do have something to contribute.
In the most general of terms, prescription medications are not to be exchanged or 'gifted' under any circumstances. In fact, if you were to check, you would find it is against the law. This is not meant to 'frighten' you, but rather to make you aware of just how dangerous this practice is.
The second part of your concern (the dose of medication), is what supports the initial concern about not 'gifting' medications.
Medications are prescribed by physicians because, the physician can prescribe the correct dose of medication for a patient's specific level of disease. Having said that, a dose which is correct and proper for one patient, may be totally inappropriate for another patient. The specific example you shared with us underscores this point precisely. Based on what you've shared here, you are giving consideration to taking twice the dose of medication that you have been taking. This could be extremely dangerous for you.
I would strongly suggest you discuss this further with your own doctor. Your doctor will be able to advise whether this is something you should be doing or not.
I hope this brief reply has given you the information needed for you to safely move forward.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
I tried to post what is below as a new discussion but it kept saying something was wrong.... Anyway I saw the med name Trelegy which is the once a day inhaler I refer to. Sorry if this isn't a direct response to your post but I'm curious if you or anyone feels the same. Thx!!
In the past I've used two I healers each day. About a month or so ago I switched to an all in one inhaler. Talking to someone today I realized I may have been less SOB on the two inhalers. Has this ever happened to anyone? I'm thinking of calling my pulmonigist to ask to be put back on the two a day
Hi Paully, and thanks for joining in the conversation here. I would encourage you to follow through with you initial thought, namely to reach out to your physician. Together, you can discuss which would be the best medication choice(s) that are specific for your specific level of disease.
Medications do not necessarily work the same for each patient. Some patients do well on combination metered dose inhalers (MDI's), while still others have more of a success using individual MDI's for each medication.
Please do check back and let us know how this all works out for you.
Good luck!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
My Pulmonologist said that there are places where you can donate inhalers. He works at a VA hospital, and there are medical centers that can take donations. The medicine has to be unopened. If your doctor says it's not safe, maybe you can donate it to somebody else.
I feel frustrated when I read many COPD patients aren't getting access to inhalers that would help them prevent further loss of lung function. There are some really good inhalers available now, but I think you need to talk (in person) to a medical provider to get in-depth information on what can help you! I wouldn't have been able to maintain the FEV1 I have now, post COPD diagnosis, if I hadn't decided to follow my inhaler regime more regularly.
Hi again,twovillages - and thanks for this post as well - I hear you! As a clinician, I also can feel somewhat frustrated when I see patients ignoring their medication regimen. Some don't seem to understand much about what the disease and treatment plan is all about either. Of course, when I encounter them and am providing care to these patients, I take all the time necessary to help them to understand more.
Sure enough, there are also many patients I take care of who continue to share their own personal experiences with me on their journey managing this disease.
You made an excellent point - one that I subscribe to for both my patients and even myself! Staying compliant with one's medication schedule goes a long way towards managing COPD.
Again, glad to 'see' you here again, staying engaged with the community.
Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
