Fluticasone / vilanterol for Asthma, Maintenance User Reviews

• Karma
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2019

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "I have had moderate asthma since age 13, now age 41. I have participated in multiple full marathons, cycling, swimming, rowing, yoga, walking ALL with only Singulair and a ventolin inhaler before high-intensity exercise. I was prescribed Breo because taking ventolin before exercise multiple times a week is considered "uncontrollable asthma." It has been roughly 20 days and my voice is always raspy, I have a tremor in my hands, always hungry, dry scalp, insomnia at night, pain in my chest, skipping heart beats, and weight gain. I try going for just a brisk walk, and my lungs are immediately tight and irritated. I then try my rescue inhaler which was my go-to and it is useless, like I never even took it. I am discontinuing my use of this inhaler and going back to the unacceptable method where I could breathe just fine normally and used only for exercise. It's much better than these side effects."

• CGH
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2019

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "Started using Breo after a severe asthma exacerbation. At first it controlled my asthma very well I barely had to use my rescue inhaler. But over months it stopped working & actually made it very hard for me to breath. It made me extremely irritable, mood swings, aggressive, weight gain, heart palpitations, severe anxiety attacks, spasms of my intercostal muscles, & made my chest very tight. This medicine caused me to also develop depression & a lack of motivation. 2 days off of it & I can finally take a deep breath & my brain finally has clarity. I finally feel like myself again."

• LadyB
• September 17, 2019

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "After not having a flair up all year and to have had my first one due to a chemical exposure I was in a full blown flair up and desperate to breathe well. Took the Breo as well as my nebulizer treatments for about 6 days 5 of which I had more severe anxiety each day that I took it very quickly after I took it so I know it was the inhaler. Before my flair up I needed nothing at all was free and clear of all meds which was amazing. I stopped the Breo due to the severity of the anxiety and decided to go to the hospital where I received prednisone and a steroid pack to ween down from. Still taking my albuterol nebulizer every day about 2-3 times until I clear up but I was not a fan of the Breo at all. Coming from someone who had severe asthma to getting myself off of all meds for over a year, to trying Breo that was terrible. The prednisone helped the first day. Hopefully I can clear up and get back to no meds through diet and exercise fingers crossed."

• Jane
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2019

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "Breo 200/25 worked great for about 6 months. Never used my rescue inhaler. Now I have a chronic sore throat and raspy voice, chest pain, muscle spasms in both hands, fatigue, and insomia. I can still breathe deeply but the side effects are getting worse the longer I continue to use Breo. I plan to return to using Symbicort, the only side effect from that was raspy voice. I was put Spiriva Respimate also last month, but the combination of Spiriva and Breo caused me to totally lose my voice. I had to quit the Spiriva, voice loss and terrible heartburn/stomach pain."

• Rose
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 31, 2020

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "I have had adult onset asthma for approx 30 years. Many hospitalizations. After having pneumonia three times early last year, my pulmonologist asked if I had been using my Breo. No, I hadn’t because of excessive price. After using it religiously, I did not have an attack for seven months! After being diagnosed with an eye condition AND SEVERE PAIN in all four extremities, mainly at night, I have had to discontinue. My doctor did extensive blood work to make sure no red flags for cancer. Thank goodness no cancer. But now what do I do. I have other lesser side effects. Breo was good for asthma but terrible for my health! Will this excruciating pain eventually go away?"

• glitt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "worked great, but keeps me wired like I had 4 cups of coffee. fine for during the day, but I'm typing this on my phone at 5am after not betting able to sleep half the night. not sure if I'll continue."

• JFE
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 9, 2019

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "PRO: Before I began taking this medication almost three years ago, I went through two rescue inhalers a month. Now I don't use them at all and instead of struggling to find a way to get a refill, I have so many I'm afraid they will expire before I can use them. CON: I have to clear my throat a lot and there is more drainage and sputum than before but it's a very small price to pay for being able to breathe. Also it is NOT covered by insurance so I have to pray yearly I find the discount coupon online to cover the expense. It is about $450 without the coupon. Insurance needs to get on board."

• SomeKid
• July 26, 2019

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "Was put on it after unknown lung disease (Hypersenstivity pneumonitis OR Bronchiolitis obliterans - yet to be determined) I think it does improve breathing, but I'm having hard time concentrating, feeling emotional, bad sleep and muscle and bone pain. With all these side effects I'd rather have harder time breathing then feeling like I'm a different person... But as it seems, not everyone are effected the same"

• Aubrey
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2018

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "I took BREO Ellipta for about 8 months and trailed off, which my doctor actually said was probably a good decision on my part. I just didn’t feel like I needed it as much. I was struggling with breathing paired with another health issue, so I went to see my pulmonologist. He put me back on BREO for a 1 month trial... and 4 days later I’d broken out in itchy hives. I assumed this was from something else, so my doctor gave me steroids to take. I finished my steroids 3 days ago and my rash is worse than ever and still worsening. I don’t know what else it could be.... Has anybody ever had this issue?!!"

• Pearl...
• December 8, 2016

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "This medicine worked well in the beginning but I quickly built up a tolerance to it.It is now not working so well after a month.Now I am getting severe tightness in the chest a few times a day while still using it.Not only that,I am cramped up now all the time with severe thigh and lower leg cramps shoulder spasms and neck terrible pain.The fatigue is crippling and intolerable. My life has become a misery.I will go back to the Dr. and ask to be put on something else.This is the cure?Ha!"

• Blueo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2018

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "I started taking Breo Ellipta in November after my respirologist prescribed it after exposure to mould left me wheezing and coughing. I had a mild wheeze and often had to clear my throat. Within a month of taking this medicine, I had full on asthma; coughing wheezing, gasping for air. I realized I often got worse after taking my dose. After spending a good part of my day in emergency, I was switched to Flovent and am finally able to fully catch a breath. Not only did it not help me, it made me much, much worse"

• Blueb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2019

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "Sad & relieved to see others here like me. The first week was great & then tremors headaches ,dry hair skin eyes sinuses & mouth joint pain & finally super high blood preasure & high cortisol in my body. Foggy head & fatigue. Chest tightness, rash & moody. I took it for asthma but the side effects are crazy. I took it for less than 2 months & quit. "

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2016

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "Improved my asthma symptoms quickly but the side effects made it unusable. Improved lung function within a day or two but had severe muscle spasms first in my right trapezius . Didn't relate it to drug at first so went to dr and started muscle relaxers and inflammation reduction meds. Unable to turn head at all by day 3 and not able to sleep because of pain. Discontinued Breo and symptoms were better within a few days. Restarted Breo a week later and had muscle spasm in upper thighs and neck by day two. I really liked the effect for my lungs but the pain and lack of function are not bearable."

• TexasDe
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2017

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "I was put on two meds at the same time, so I had a difficult time deciding which drug was messing with me. ie -- inflammation so bad that it created facial hot break outs on my face, lips. I experienced increase in heart rate and shakes. I went off Breo on the 5th of June and stayed on my other drug for diabetics.. Everything settled down and my normal self returned. This morning I decide to reintroduce my Breo to find it definitely is the culprit. Immediate hot flashes, shakes and increased heart rate. I love how it works, but hate what it does for me. Please take time to truly decipher which drug it is if you're on multiples."

• JKano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2020

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "Not sure why the dr gave me this inhaler as my asthma had been pretty good. So day 1 &2 was feeling great breathing was really good lungs were clear of mucus.All downhill from there on day 3 headache started and coughing. Day 4 headache persistent coughing all day so had to use ventolin. Day 5 constant headache coughing still, lungs full of muck and feeling really sick body aches and pains. Day 6 same as day 5.. Nope this drug (or drugs) are not for me. Day 7 went back to my seretide and took prob 4 days to be feeling better.."

• Roma
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 3, 2020

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "I have been using Breo Ellipta for 2 years now, first 200mg now 100 mg. I live in a tropical island so the fungus in the environment is very high. From 65% use of pulmonary capacity now I improved to 95%. Now I can’t afford it anymore. Therefore, I am going to stop using it. Let see what happens."

• Windy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2016

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "I am not sure if this product is the cause. However my mood has gone slowly down since using it. I am so fear full of falling into a depression, having gone through a very difficult time with depression during the late 90's and early 2000,s. so I will consult my Pulmonary dr. Before continuing."

• Fish...
• January 25, 2017

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "I've had asthma since I was about four (now fourty) and it's been terrible. Mostly triggered by allergies. Been on every cortico you can think of. I'd go through three rescue inhalers a month. I've been on Breo for about four months and have had two rescue inhalers filled. I can exercise withought using it, I can sleep at night and I have gone days with completely forgetting I had a rescue inhaler. It has been a miracle drug. It is expensive though but my doctor gave me a discount card and it's free now. My only issue is when its very cold and you work your bronchi hard outside, it hurts but it's worth it. Also you can build an immunity to it and it starts to not work as well after the four or five months. BUT it still works well."

• BaliseB
• January 29, 2018

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "This medicine has worked wonders for me, completely eliminating the need to take the other 3 asthma medications I take (including my fast acting inhaler). I didn’t have trouble sleeping at night due to breathing issues and I didn’t have sudden attacks at work or while doing physical activities. I cannot give this medication all stars because of the ridiculous price of the medicine. I am a single mother and cannot afford health insurance for myself and I somehow don’t qualify for any assistance. I am shocked that this one life changing medication is almost half of what my monthly rent is. Simply put I cannot afford this medicine and therefore continue to take breathing treatments 3 times a day and burn through my albuterol inhalers at work and exercising. I find it absurd that you can get prescriptions that people abuse and/or sale illegally for nothing and I can’t afford and inhaler so I can live a normal life. I will also note I don’t smoke and I eat healthy and exercise."

• PKano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2018

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "I just started on this 3 days ago. My pulmonary doctor gave me 3 months worth of samples. Within the first 5 minutes of taking it I could take a full deep breath without it hurting to breath in. I have more energy during the day, and feel like I have gotten my life back. I did notice some minor back pain, but nothing I cannot deal with."

• Windf...
• May 13, 2017

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "My allergist put me on aerospan for a month it wasn't working I was still tight. The same day I started breo I felt relief it will be 2 months on April 10th have not used my rescue inhaler more than twice in 2 months [used to use it to 6 times a day] The only side effects I have are severe all day chest pain and back pain. Fatigue I feel super tired and unable to walk to much but no exerbation from my lungs iIfeel shortness but my lungs are clear. My pulse is over 120 resting and as high as 165 at times had to take ativan to relax the palputations im 29 yrs old My dosage is 200/25mg along with montelukast 10mg."

• Eric
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2018

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "After disproving 2 similar medications and having 2 asthma attacks while. On CPAP at night, my Dr prescribed Breo Ellipta. Almost immediately a heaviness in my chest disappeared. One thing I did notice is for me it dries my mouth out terribly even after rinsing but I am so happy to find something that I can have confidence in!"

• Lambc...
• May 17, 2018

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "I started using breo about 6 weeks ago. It really opens me, but I cough so much junk up all the time. It dries my mouth up, I get thrush. It affects my voice. I have so many other health issues that it is hard for me to tell about any other side affects. Will be talking to my doc when I go back in 2 weeks."

• Chris...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2018

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "I was prescribed this to help control my Asthma Symptoms. My condition has complications so the steroid component was supposed to really help. I give this a 5/10 because it really seemed to help with the asthma: I never reached a point where I was short of breath but it almost made my lungs a little wetter. I found I was continually coughing up small amounts of phlegm with an annoying cough. Even after months of taking this medication. The only other side-effect I experienced was a bit of the jitters (like drinking too much coffee) for about 10-15 min after taking a dose. I should point out that this medication comes in a very practical package and is very easy to dose. It is however very expensive if you do not have insurance."

• Bud
• January 21, 2020

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol) "After years of trying to use non-prescription and prescription drugs to control asthma my Dr. put me on Breo Ellipta (100). That was about 3 years ago. For me it works well. I rarely use my rescue inhaler. It does tend to make my mouth slightly dryer but it does not cause any other reactions. To avoid thrush, I take an inhalation once a night and follow up with a small amount of mouth wash, a thorough teeth brushing and water rinse. The device has 30 inhalation’s, not quite a full month. It is an expensive drug. The list price is variable and seems to run $350 to $450 per each 30 shot dispenser. With insurance, buying mail order, or from Canada you should be able to get it at about $110 to $150 per each 30 inhalation device. There is no generic. So far I have not had any luck with coupons."