What is a COPD flare-up (exacerbation)?

A COPD flare-up (also known as an exacerbation) is when COPD symptoms suddenly get worse and require additional treatments for relief. This type of worsening represents a decline in lung function and means it's time to reevaluate your treatment plan. Flare-ups can last for days or even weeks; length and intensity vary per person, but they tend to happen more frequently in the later stages of COPD. Having just one flare-up can increase the risk of having another one and may even lead to lung damage, so understanding the signs and how to respond is crucial.

What are the symptoms of a COPD flare-up?

Detecting a COPD flare-up early is key for timely treatment. While people with COPD experience flare-ups differently, common symptoms include: more coughing or wheezing than usual, more shortness of breath with the same or less activity, changes in the appearance or amount of mucus, needing to use rescue inhalers more often, feeling tired or having trouble sleeping, swelling in the legs or ankles. If you notice any symptoms of a COPD flare-up, be sure to track how you're feeling and talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

What are the common triggers of COPD flare-ups?

Many factors can lead to a COPD flare-up, with common causes including: respiratory infections like the common cold, flu, or pneumonia, exposure to cigarette smoke, inhalation of dust and fumes from household products, exposure to outdoor air pollution, significant changes in temperature or humidity levels, high levels of stress or anxiety.

How does COPD severity impact flare-ups?

COPD can range from mild to very severe, and there is a direct relationship between severity and the frequency and impact of flare-ups: Advanced COPD flare-ups can have a major impact and often require hospitalization. The recovery period from an advanced COPD flare-up is typically longer lasting, with symptoms lasting weeks. Flare-ups during severe COPD are associated with a higher risk of complications like pneumonia or respiratory failure. Severe COPD flare-ups can contribute to permanent decline in lung function, speeding up disease progression. Worsening COPD contributes to more frequent flare-ups, sometimes multiple times a year. Frequent and severe COPD flare-ups can worsen quality of life by limiting daily activities.

What are some ways to avoid a COPD flare-up?

Here are a few best practices to lessen your chances of a flare-up: stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, limit exposure to known triggers, get all of your recommended vaccines, stay active and maintain a healthy diet, take maintenance medications, such as TRELEGY.

How are COPD flare-ups treated and managed?

Maintenance medications like TRELEGY reduce the risk of flare-ups. But if a flare-up does happen, treatments may depend on the severity level. Common treatments include: Bronchodilators — Short-acting and long-acting inhalers and nebulizers, to relax the airways; can be used across all severity levels. Corticosteroids — Like prednisone, to reduce airway inflammation; typically combined with bronchodilators for moderate to severe flare-ups. Antibiotics — Used to address increased mucus production caused by a bacterial airway infection, or if the patient is on ventilation in the hospital. Oxygen support — Used in the hospital to address severely low oxygen levels and shortness of breath.

COPD Flare-Ups | TRELEGY ELLIPTA (fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol)

Treatment	Details
Bronchodilators	Short-acting inhalers and nebulizers, used to relax the airways; can be used across all severity levels
Systemic corticosteroids	Like prednisone, used to reduce airway inflammation; typically for moderate to severe flare-ups
Antibiotics	Used to address increased mucus production caused by a bacterial airway infection, or if the patient is on ventilation in the hospital
Oxygen support	Used in the hospital to address severely low oxygen levels and shortness of breath

Approved Uses & Safety Info

Approved Uses

Once-daily TRELEGY is a prescription medicine used long term to treat COPD, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both and to treat asthma in adults. TRELEGY 100/62.5/25 mcg is the only strength approved for COPD. TRELEGY is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and won’t replace a rescue inhaler.

Limitations of Use
TRELEGY is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and will not replace a rescue inhaler. TRELEGY should not be used in children younger than 18 years of age. It is not known if TRELEGY is safe and effective in children younger than 18 years of age.

Important Safety Information

TRELEGY contains vilanterol. Long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist (LABA) medicines such as vilanterol,

TRELEGY contains vilanterol. Long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist (LABA) medicines such as vilanterol, when used alone, increase the risk of hospitalizations and death from asthma problems. TRELEGY contains an ICS, an anticholinergic, and a LABA. When an ICS and LABA are used together, there is not a

TRELEGY contains vilanterol. Long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist (LABA) medicines such as vilanterol, when used alone, increase the risk of hospitalizations and death from asthma problems. TRELEGY contains an ICS, an anticholinergic, and a LABA. When an ICS and LABA are used together, there is not a significant increased risk in hospitalizations and death from asthma problems.
Do not use TRELEGY to relieve sudden breathing problems. Always have a rescue inhaler with you to treat sudden symptoms.
TRELEGY should not be used in children younger than 18 years of age. It is not known if TRELEGY is safe and effective in children.
Do not use TRELEGY if you have a severe allergy to milk proteins or are allergic to any of the ingredients in TRELEGY. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure.
Do not use TRELEGY more often than prescribed.
Do not take TRELEGY with other medicines that contain a LABA or an anticholinergic for any reason. Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions and about all the medicines you take.
Call your healthcare provider or get medical care right away if your breathing problems get worse, if you need your rescue inhaler more often than usual or it does not work as well to relieve your symptoms.
TRELEGY can cause serious side effects, including:
- fungal infection in your mouth or throat (thrush). Rinse your mouth with water without swallowing after using TRELEGY to help reduce your chance of getting thrush.
- pneumonia. People with COPD have a higher chance of getting pneumonia. TRELEGY may increase the chance of getting pneumonia. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following symptoms: change in amount or color of mucus; fever; chills; increased cough; increased breathing problems.
- weakened immune system and increased chance of getting infections.
- reduced adrenal function. This can happen when you stop taking oral corticosteroids and start taking inhaled corticosteroids.
- sudden breathing problems immediately after inhaling TRELEGY. If this happens, stop taking TRELEGY and call your healthcare provider right away.
- serious allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care if you get any of the following symptoms: rash; hives; swelling of your face, mouth, and tongue; breathing problems.
- effects on heart: increased blood pressure; a fast or irregular heartbeat, awareness of heartbeat; chest pain.
- effects on nervous system: tremor; nervousness.
- bone thinning or weakness (osteoporosis).
- eye problems including glaucoma, increased pressure in your eye, cataracts, blurred vision, worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma, or other changes in vision. You should have regular eye exams while using TRELEGY. Acute narrow-angle glaucoma can cause permanent loss of vision if not treated. Symptoms of acute narrow-angle glaucoma may include: eye pain or discomfort; nausea or vomiting; blurred vision; seeing halos or bright colors around lights; red eyes. If you have these symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away before taking another dose.
- new or worse urinary retention. Symptoms may include: difficult, painful, or frequent urination; urination in a weak stream or drips. If you have these symptoms, stop taking TRELEGY and call your healthcare provider right away.
- changes in laboratory blood values, including high levels of blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and low levels of potassium (hypokalemia).
- slowed growth in children.
Common side effects of TRELEGY 100/62.5/25 mcg for COPD include: upper respiratory tract infection; pneumonia; bronchitis; thrush in your mouth and throat (rinse your mouth with water without swallowing after use to help prevent this); headache; back pain; joint pain; flu; inflammation of the sinuses; runny nose and sore throat; taste disturbance; constipation; painful and frequent urination (signs of a urinary tract infection); nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; mouth and throat pain; cough; and hoarseness.
Common side effects of TRELEGY for asthma include: runny nose and sore throat; upper respiratory tract infection; bronchitis; respiratory tract infection; inflammation of the sinuses; painful and frequent urination (signs of a urinary tract infection); flu; headache; back pain.

COPD FLARE-UPS

Learn more about COPD flare-ups

On this page

What is a COPD flare-up (exacerbation)?

What are the symptoms of a COPD flare-up?

What are the common triggers of COPD flare-ups?

How are COPD severity and flare-ups related?

What are some ways to avoid a COPD flare-up?

How are COPD flare-ups treated and managed?

With 3 long-acting medicines in 1 inhaler, TRELEGY prevents future flare-ups.

Get ahead of your next flare-up