UNDERSTANDING COPD

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Get the full picture of COPD

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Common types of COPD

Symptoms of COPD

COPD triggers

COPD flare-ups

COPD progression

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

COPD is a group of lung diseases that makes it harder to breathe. COPD is also progressive, which means it can worsen over time. 

Understanding COPD is important in finding the best treatment for you. Talk to your doctor about treatment and lifestyle changes that may help you manage your condition. If you’d like some help planning for the doctor discussion,  get the free guide.

What are the common types of COPD?

Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the two most common conditions of COPD. While they both make breathing difficult, they impact the lungs in different ways. It is possible to have both conditions.

  • Chronic bronchitis

    Chronic bronchitis is a condition where the airways (bronchial tubes) in the lungs become inflamed. This causes:

    • buildup of mucus and swelling in airways
    • narrowed airways and reduced air flow 
    • increased cough


    Bronchitis may be considered chronic (or long-term) if you experience coughing and mucus production most days for at least 3 months per year, over 2 years in a row.

  • Emphysema

    Emphysema is a condition where the air sacs (alveoli) inside the lungs are affected. Healthy air sacs expand when you breathe in and return to their original size when you breathe out. But with emphysema:

    • air sacs become larger 
    • air sacs cannot return to normal size
    • air becomes trapped in the lungs, making it harder for air to enter

     

What are the symptoms of COPD?

If you think you or a loved one might have COPD, here are a few key signs to look for:

Shortness of breath and/or wheezing

You may find it difficult to breathe during everyday activities or even while at rest.

Chest tightness

It might feel like something is squeezing or sitting on your chest, making it harder to breathe.

Chronic coughing and/or coughing up mucus

You may notice a change in the amount or color of mucus coughed up.

You should feel prepared when voicing symptoms to your doctor—and TRELEGY is here to help guide the conversation.

SPEAK UP TODAY

What are some COPD symptom triggers?

Triggers are things that make COPD symptoms worse and can lead to a flare-up or need for a rescue inhaler. Here are a few triggers to look out for:

Smoking and secondhand smoke

Air pollution

Excess household dust

Fumes from cooking or cleaning products

Catching common respiratory infections (colds)

Cold environments

Real Stories: Standing up to COPD symptoms

PLAY VIDEO | 1:59

View transcript

ANNOUNCER:
Once-daily TRELEGY is a prescription medicine used long term to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. TRELEGY is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and won't replace a rescue inhaler. Watch the complete video to see additional safety information.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
Once-daily TRELEGY 100/62.5/25 mcg is a prescription medicine used long term to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. TRELEGY is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and won’t replace a rescue inhaler. Watch the complete video to see additional safety information.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • Do not use TRELEGY to relieve sudden breathing problems. Always have a rescue inhaler with you to treat sudden symptoms.
  • 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 long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) or an anticholinergic for any reason. Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions and about all the medicines you take.

Please see additional Important Safety Information on this web page.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, on this web page.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
GORDON
EAGLEVILLE, PA

GORDON:
I was shoveling snow from my driveway.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
Gordon, real patient taking TRELEGY at time of filming. Compensated by GSK for sharing his experience.

GORDON:
Something was wrong with my lungs—I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t get air.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

GORDON:
My doctor called to make me an appointment with the pulmonologist. He diagnosed me with COPD that day.

GORDON:
I learned that I had to move at a slower pace. I didn’t make plans. I didn’t know if I would be sick.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
JANA
KILLEEN, TX

JANA:
I started noticing I was having problems breathing, things like that. I seriously could not walk across this room.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
Jana, real patient taking TRELEGY at time of filming. Compensated by GSK for sharing her experience.

JANA:
You know, your mind’s saying, “I wanna do it” and your body’s saying, “I can’t do it.” That’s a horrible feeling.

JANA:
I got ahold of my doctor. Hey, it’s Jana. How are you ma’am?

GORDON:
My doctor introduced TRELEGY. He says it’s going to support you in the long term.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
Results may vary.

GORDON:
It’s a three-part medication, and it combats flare-ups.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
Results may vary.

JANA:
When I got on TRELEGY, it’s just a world of difference.

JANA:
You know, when you can't do something that you have done in the past… when you get to do it again, it's very exciting.

GORDON:
I’m able to get involved in life again. Now, I’m a plan maker (laughs). I make plans.

GORDON:
There are things that you can do. Take charge.

ANNOUNCER:
TRELEGY won't replace a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
TRELEGY won’t replace a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems.

ANNOUNCER:
Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure before taking it.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure before taking it.

ANNOUNCER:
Do not take TRELEGY more than prescribed.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
Do not take TRELEGY more than prescribed.

ANNOUNCER:
TRELEGY may increase your risk of thrush, pneumonia, and osteoporosis.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
TRELEGY may increase your risk of thrush, pneumonia, and osteoporosis.

ANNOUNCER:
Call your doctor if worsened breathing, chest pain, mouth or tongue swelling, problems urinating, vision changes, or eye pain occur.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
Call your doctor if worsened breathing, chest pain, mouth or tongue swelling, problems urinating, vision changes, or eye pain occur.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

TEXT ONSCREEN:
<TRELEGY ELLIPTA AND WHITE GSK LOGOS>

A FULL 24 HOURS OF BETTER BREATHING

Please see additional Important Safety Information and full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, on this web page.

For US audiences only.
Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.
©2025 GSK or licensor.
PMUS-FVUWCNT240081 June 2025. Produced in USA.

 

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What is a COPD flare-up?

A flare-up (or exacerbation) means more than just needing to use your rescue inhaler. It’s actually when your usual COPD symptoms worsen for several days/weeks and require one or more of the following:

  • Steroids (like prednisone)
  • Antibiotics
  • Emergency room visit
  • Hospital stay

Respiratory viral or bacterial infections cause many flare-ups. But triggers range from pollution to stress, and they can be different for everyone. Flare-ups often come on suddenly, so it helps to be prepared with a COPD plan. Unsure where to start? Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor about how COPD truly affects you.

What are the 4 stages of COPD?

MILD

MODERATE

SEVERE

VERY SEVERE

There are 4 stages of COPD: mild, moderate, severe, and very severe.

To know where you stand, your doctor will examine your medical history and run a breathing test (spirometry) to check the level of obstruction in your airways. Based on the amount of airflow measured from this test, your doctor can tell you where you fall within the GOLD* classification of COPD stages (or grades), with Stage 4 being the most advanced state of progression.

Your doctor will also evaluate your symptoms and history of flare-ups to determine the best treatment plan.

*GOLD stands for Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.

Visit COPD.com to learn more about COPD stages.

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