1800 278 462
People with severe asthma need to use regular inhaled medicines to keep their symptoms under control. This helps to maintain their quality of life and reduces their risk of having an asthma flare-up.
Trimbow Inhaler (beclometasone/formoterol/glycopyrronium) is a combination preventer inhaler available by prescription only, under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for adults 18 years and over with severe asthma.
The Trimbow inhaler contains three different types of medicine, and is sometimes called a triple therapy preventer. Other triple therapies include the Enerzair Breezhaler and Trelegy Ellipta.
Take the asthma control questionnaire
Trimbow may be prescribed and subsidised for people who:
- Have experienced a serious flare-up in the 12 months prior to starting treatment for severe asthma which required oral steroids
- Have been using a high daily dose of combination preventer regularly as prescribed, and
- Can demonstrate correct inhaler technique with this preventer
There are two strengths of Trimbow available for people with severe asthma:
- TRIMBOW 200/6/10 mcg
- TRIMBOW 100/6/10 mcg (newly listed for severe asthma from 1st October 2024)
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT ME?
For people with severe asthma, this provides another treatment option for your healthcare team to consider based on your needs.
With any asthma medicine, it is important that:
- you know how to use your device correctly
- you take it regularly and
- you have your instructions for use in place with an Asthma Action Plan.
If you haven’t spoken to your doctor recently about your asthma control, this might be a good time to do so. Together, you should aim for fewer and less severe symptoms and fewer asthma attacks (flare-ups). Aiming for better asthma control helps you towards achieving your activity and lifestyle goals.
If symptoms are still not controlled while using Trimbow it is important to review your asthma urgently.
WHAT IS TRIMBOW
Trimbow pMDI (pressurised metered dose inhaler) is a combination preventer puffer.
- Trimbow is the brand name which contains the three medicines listed below
- pMDI is the type of device or puffer which you use to deliver the medicines to your lungs. We explain how to use the puffer device below.
Trimbow works in two ways due to the action of its three medicines:
- One preventer medicine (Beclometasone): reduces the swelling and irritation in the lungs and helps to ease breathing problems over time
- Two long-acting reliever medicines (Formoterol and glycopyrronium): both relax the muscles in the airways in your lungs. This helps to open the airways and make it easier for you to breathe.
Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
HOW TO USE YOUR TRIMBOW INHALER
It is important to use your puffer device correctly to get the most benefit from the medicine.
Some steps to using this inhaler may be different to what you are used to:
- You do not need to shake this inhaler as the medicine is in a solution.
- For the second puff, keep the inhaler in the upright position for about half a minute, then take the second dose.
You can use your Trimbow inhaler with a spacer. Spacers are used with puffers to help get more medicine into your lungs. See our Spacer page for more help using spacers.
The list of asthma medicines available in Australia is growing. This is good news for you and your treating healthcare professional as there are now more options to get the right treatment for your individual needs.
To understand more about severe asthma, please visit our severe asthma hub.
If you still have questions after reading this page you can book a free consult with an Asthma Educator or call 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) today.
Information about medicines and devices to support people with asthma are developed independently by Asthma Australia, made possible by grant funding under the ‘Know Your Options’ Program from AstraZeneca, Chiesi Australia, Sanofi who are not involved in content development.