FOR US CONSUMERS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Understanding COPD
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a disease that affects your lungs and breathing.
There are two conditions that make up COPD. Chronic bronchitis affects mainly the walls of your lung airways. Emphysema affects mainly the air sacs. People with COPD often have both.
Because COPD develops slowly, you may not notice your symptoms at first if they’re mild. And because COPD is also a progressive disease, you might notice them get more frequent or worsen with time.
Symptoms of COPD may appear years before the flow of air into and out of the lungs declines. They can begin to show as early as age 40. However, not everyone who has these symptoms has COPD, and not everyone who has COPD has these symptoms. If you experience any of the following symptoms—even if they’re mild—be sure to talk to your doctor about treatment options.
- Shortness of breath, especially while doing activities
- A feeling of tightness in the chest
- Wheezing—a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing
- Constant coughing or a cough that produces a large amount of mucus—also called smoker's cough
COPD can be caused by long-term exposure to lung irritants.
- Cigarette smoking is the irritant responsible in about 80-90% of people diagnosed with COPD. Secondhand smoke can also contribute to COPD
- Air pollution may also cause COPD. This includes pollutants such as dust or chemical fumes in the environment or workplace
- Genetic factors can also play a role. A rare genetic disorder called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which is passed down in families, can also lead to COPD
You can’t change your genes, but you can do something about exposure to lung irritants, like tobacco smoke (including secondhand smoke), air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust. And if you need help to quit smoking, you can always ask your doctor.
COPD is a progressive lung disease that includes both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. However, both affect your lungs differently.
Emphysema mainly affects the air sacs in your lungs, which can lose their shape and become floppy after the walls between them are damaged. This makes less surface area available for air exchange.
Chronic bronchitis mainly affects your airways. The lining of your airway walls can become thick and swollen. More mucus is produced than normal, which can clog the airways, narrowing them further.
Yes!
In fact, physical activity can help your body to use oxygen better. Doing upper body exercises, for example, can help strengthen your respiratory muscles; and exercises that strengthen your legs can help improve shortness of breath and build physical stamina.
Before you start, remember to talk to your health care team so you can figure out what the right level of activity is for you. And then it’s all about finding something that you enjoy and can fit into your day.
If you’ve been diagnosed with COPD (which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis), you may hear about “rescue” or “maintenance” treatments or inhalers. What do these different types of medications do?
Rescue medications are taken as needed for quick relief of sudden COPD symptoms. They are not primarily meant for long-term control of COPD.
Maintenance medications are taken long-term to help improve lung function. They may even reduce your use of a rescue inhaler.
Learn more and watch a video about rescue and maintenance inhalers
ABOUT BEVESPI AEROSPHERE
BEVESPI AEROSPHERE is a maintenance treatment for adults with COPD that aims to open airways to the max. It is a combination of two COPD medicines. When used long-term—two puffs, twice a day—BEVESPI AEROSPHERE works two ways to help open airways and keep them open.
Remember, BEVESPI AEROSPHERE is not a rescue inhaler and is not used to treat sudden COPD symptoms. It is not for the treatment of asthma.
Learn more and watch a video about how BEVESPI AEROSPHERE can help
BEVESPI AEROSPHERE contains two medicines called bronchodilators.
One medicine helps relax the smooth muscles around the airways, and the other medicine helps prevent those muscles from tightening. When used long-term twice daily, BEVESPI helps to open your airways and keep them open.
Two 24-week clinical studies in patients with COPD showed that the effects of BEVESPI AEROSPHERE on lung function for better breathing were greater than either of its individual medicines alone.* Common side effects of BEVESPI AEROSPHERE include urinary tract infection and cough. Remember, BEVESPI AEROSPHERE is not a rescue inhaler and is not for use to treat sudden COPD symptoms. It is not for use in asthma.
*Individual results may vary
Better breathing may be possible with BEVESPI AEROSPHERE. Watch video
BEVESPI AEROSPHERE should be taken as 2 puffs, twice a day.
That’s 2 puffs in the morning, and 2 puffs in the evening.
If you miss a dose, take your next dose at the same time you normally do—but do not take more than your prescribed dose of BEVESPI AEROSPHERE. Don’t stop using BEVESPI AEROSPHERE unless your health care provider tells you to, because your symptoms might come back.
Remember, BEVESPI AEROSPHERE will not replace a rescue inhaler for sudden COPD symptoms.
Learn more and watch a video about how to take BEVESPI AEROSPHERE
Yes, we’re here for you!
Have questions about COPD or BEVESPI AEROSPHERE? Call one of our nurses at 1-877-807-44661-877-807-4466 to get additional help—and a live demonstration through video chat—on how to use your BEVESPI AEROSPHERE inhaler.
No. Remember that BEVESPI AEROSPHERE is a maintenance medication, which means it is taken every day for long-term control of COPD symptoms.
You should not stop taking BEVESPI AEROSPHERE unless your health care provider tells you to, because your symptoms might come back. Remember, BEVESPI AEROSPHERE is not a rescue inhaler and is not for use to treat sudden COPD symptoms.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- BEVESPI AEROSPHERE combines an anticholinergic, glycopyrrolate, and a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) medicine, formoterol fumarate. LABA medicines, such as formoterol, when used alone can increase the risk of serious asthma-related events, including hospitalizations and death from asthma problems. When an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and LABA are used together, this risk is not significantly increased
- BEVESPI AEROSPHERE is not for the treatment of asthma. It is not known if BEVESPI AEROSPHERE is safe and effective in people with asthma
- Do not use BEVESPI AEROSPHERE to treat sudden symptoms of COPD. Always have a rescue inhaler with you to treat sudden symptoms
- Do not use BEVESPI AEROSPHERE if you are allergic to glycopyrrolate, formoterol fumarate, or to any of the ingredients in BEVESPI AEROSPHERE
- Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take and about all your health conditions
- Do not use BEVESPI AEROSPHERE more often than prescribed
- Do not take BEVESPI AEROSPHERE with other medicines that contain a LABA or an anticholinergic for any reason
- Call your healthcare provider or get medical care right away if:
- Your breathing problems get worse
- You need to use your rescue inhaler more often than usual or your rescue inhaler doesn’t work as well at relieving symptoms
BEVESPI AEROSPHERE can cause serious side effects, including:
- Sudden breathing problems immediately after inhaling your medicine
- Serious allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care if you get any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash; hives; swelling of the face, mouth and tongue; breathing problems
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, chest pain
- Tremor or nervousness
- New or worsened eye problems, including acute narrow-angle glaucoma. Symptoms may include: eye pain or discomfort, nausea or vomiting, blurred vision, seeing halos or bright colors around lights, and red eyes. If you have these symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away before taking another dose
- New or worsened urinary retention. Symptoms may include difficulty urinating, painful urination, urinating frequently, or urinating in a weak stream or drips. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking BEVESPI AEROSPHERE and call your healthcare provider right away
- High blood sugar or low blood potassium
Common side effects of BEVESPI AEROSPHERE include urinary tract infection and cough. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
APPROVED USE
BEVESPI AEROSPHERE is a prescription medicine used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. BEVESPI AEROSPHERE is used as 2 inhalations, 2 times each day in the morning and in the evening, to improve symptoms of COPD for better breathing. Do not use BEVESPI AEROSPHERE to treat sudden symptoms of COPD; it won't replace a rescue inhaler. BEVESPI AEROSPHERE is not for the treatment of asthma.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
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Please read full Prescribing Information
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This site is intended for US Consumers only.
The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your doctor or health care professional. If you have any questions about your condition, or if you would like more information about BEVESPI AEROSPHERE or COPD, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Only you and your doctor can decide if BEVESPI AEROSPHERE is right for you.
