Wixela Inhub and Chest Pain: What Users Say

• Chu...
• October 17, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "Absolute garbage! I was switched over from Advair a week ago. My asthma has been completely under control for years with Advair. After one week of using this, my chest gets tight a couple of hours after using it, and I have mucus building up in my lungs that causes me to cough and hack all day. I’m actually better off just not taking any medicine at all. How did this drug get approved?"

• Kaj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "My asthma was well under control until I was forced by my insurance company to use Wixela three months ago. Now, I have a chronic cough again, it's affecting my vocal cords, and I feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest several times a day. I'm using my rescue inhaler all day long (I was using it MAYBE twice a month), cough medicine 24/7, sleeping practically sitting up, and buying/using cough drops like they're going out of style. But to go back to my original inhaler, I'll have to fork over $300 more per month (four months ago it was $40/month). The problem is 1) big pharma 2) insurance companies putting profits before health and 3) the device used to dispense the Wixela may be flawed. There is no way I am receiving the dosage I am prescribed."

• Coc...
• September 15, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "I am a 50-year-old female with no health issues other than occasional mild asthma from air quality and high pollen count issues. I’ve used Advair as a maintenance inhaler for years with no problems. I developed cough variant asthma right in the height of COVID. The pharmacy switched me to Wixela without even telling me, I didn’t know until I opened the bag. I used it for 2 months and developed the worst raw and sore throat of my life, heavy chest pressure, and rapid heartbeat (I could feel my heart pounding). I stopped using Wixela 4 weeks ago, and the sore throat and chest pressure have gone away, but my heartbeat is still rapid, I can feel it when I’m in bed falling asleep! Now my doctor has ordered a stress test, etc., to figure out what’s going on with my heart. Stay away from Wixela! This is a very dangerous drug!"

• ATa...
• October 10, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "Mild asthma patient, with everything under control using Advair Diskus 250/50. As with others, my insurance stopped paying for the brand name and had to switch to Wixela. My symptoms went from non-existent (with Advair) to bad to worse. Stopped taking Wixela and things got better, and I only had regular (!) asthma. Paid out of pocket for the Advair and everything was wonderful again. One year later - chest pain is better, but not like it used to be. I now need a higher dosage of Advair than ever before, I will need to pay $4,000 a year for it, but it keeps me healthy. The FDA should do something."

• Kya...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "Very disappointed with Wixela, this new generic asthma medication. I was on Wixela Inhub for three months and finally had to go back to my doctor to get Advair. I had constant coughing followed by phlegm and chest congestion. I was using my emergency inhaler several times a week and several times on prednisone. I started using over-the-counter cough medication just to stop the coughing so I could sleep. During the day, I used throat lozenges to keep the cough from starting. I talked to the pharmacist about the differences between Wixela and Advair and was told that it had the same ingredients, except the fillers might be different. Some generics just don’t work, and pharmacies need to listen to the patients. The price difference is insane!"

• Wen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "I ended up going to the ER after taking my first dose due to an adverse reaction. I had trouble swallowing, felt short of breath, tightness in my chest, face flushed, fast heart rate, and numbness and tingling in my fingers."

• glz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2022

For Asthma, Maintenance "So far, horrible with Wixela. It does absolutely nothing for my asthma. VA changed my prescription from Symbicort to this, and now I can barely do any physical activity. Stuff is rubbish, gives me a hoarse throat, chest tightness, and rapid heartbeat! Please stop prescribing this!"

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2022

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was on Advair, they switched me to Wixela 500 mg. I had many side effects and could not breathe. I could not stop coughing—bad headaches and nightmares. I ended up in the hospital six times, and finally, they told me to stop taking it and switch back. I ended up in bed for months with chest pain and weakness in the legs. I could not eat or swallow anything. My vision went many times. I had a rainbow lightning vision. This should not be given to anyone. It should be off the market right away. It is not right to switch a person's medication at the risk of someone's life."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "VA is my health provider, and I have lung fibrosis, COPD, and emphysema. I was on Symbicort for many years. Then I placed a refill on the prescription, and it was Wixela. Had no idea VA discontinued Symbicort. Well, I used it one time and had the worst experience with it. My throat and tongue became very dry for 2 days. My chest became very tight and painful. A few days later, I began coughing nonstop, my ribs got sore. Now all I use is my rescue inhaler."