Breo Ellipta and Headaches: What Users Say

• Tir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

For Asthma "I moved to the Midwest after living in the Southeast for twenty years. I have had asthma for the better part of 10 years. In the Southeast, I never had to use a bronchodilator. After moving to the Midwest, my asthma worsened and I was put on Breo. Things were great in the first couple of months. However, about a month and a half ago, I developed insomnia and a cough that I couldn't get rid of. From there, I caught a lung infection and then pneumonia. When recovering from pneumonia, I developed low potassium, severe bone and joint pain, and headaches that won't go away. I haven't had a dose in over 24 hours now, and I am already starting to feel better. I would rather use my rescue inhaler every day than to have these issues."

• ren...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2019

For Asthma "Breo Ellipta is awful. I never had any issues besides asthma prior. It gave me headaches, bone pain (specifically hip pain), and also bone crunching. I had read that it can demineralize bone, so not ideal for women going through perimenopause. Due to such intense side effects, I have decided this drug is not worth it."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2018

For Asthma "The first couple days this felt like a miracle drug, like I never had asthma at all. The next few days, it only worked for about half the day, and now I can't tell if it's doing anything at all. I've also begun having frequent dizziness, low-grade headaches, constant hunger, sharp pain in my teeth, pain in my back, shoulders, and neck so severe that I sometimes can't even sit down, shooting pains in my legs and ankles, weakness, fatigue, constant stomach cramping, strange sensations in my eyes and vision issues (my eyeballs feel swollen inside and I keep thinking I see smoke), a welt on my lower face, and tiny spots of blood under my skin that look like I've been pricked with a needle all over my body. I was trying to wait it out until my next appointment, but I just can't stand it anymore, I'm quitting it today."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2019

For Asthma "I took Breo for 5 months, and it worked. I did not have to take my fast-acting inhaler while on it and felt like I could breathe better than ever, which made me so happy, for I have had asthma for most of my life. However, the side effects were terrible. I didn't notice until they got worse. I would randomly get terrible headaches, joint pain, a runny nose, a sore/raspy throat. I also had crazy mood changes and didn't feel like myself. So many more side effects. I'm off it now, and my lungs feel like garbage now, and I'm having more severe back pain. Honestly, if medicine can cause this... how is it good?"

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2017

For COPD "I have been taking Breo for approx 3 weeks, previously using Atrovent. I have severe COPD. Aged 67. The first day or two it felt excellent, was able to breathe easier, but then the side effects started. Tolerated the headaches, bone aches, red eyes, slightly blurred vision sometimes, confusion to start with, severe sinus (was regularly blowing blood from nose), feeling lethargic and depressed, getting cold sweats at night, thirsty, ringing ears, runny nose, but when my face started to swell up, that scared me, so I stopped use, all adverse reactions now stopped after 36 hours. It is great for helping with the breathing, unfortunately, side effects are too much. Funny thing, breathing has continued to be good after stopping taking."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2019

For Asthma "Works great if you can actually get it into your lungs, but the delivery system is garbage, most of it was in my throat. Yes, I followed the instructions to the letter. Caused some headaches and fast heart rate for a short time. It should come in puffer and nebulizer form."

• CJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2018

For Asthma "COPD, asthma. Use of Breo 1x, I ended up in ER. Breo opened airways well, but hours after 1st use is when my 3 hr long ordeal began. With no warning, I began shaking, having SOB, chest pain, sweating, headache, my blood pressure jumped to 200/120. I literally felt like I was dying. It was like I drank 5 pots of caffeine that all kicked in at once. My heart was pounding, racing, and it was hard to breathe. Took nitro before going to ER, which lowered the high blood pressure some, but didn't stop the rest. ER tests negative for it being a heart attack, major respiratory problem, a stroke, a nervous breakdown, impeding death-(lol, which I swear is what it literally felt like at the time), or anything other than a very bad reaction to Breo. Back home, had muscle spasms in my legs. I feel horrible still today, totally drained of energy, hurt all over from the traumatic experience my body went through last night, but I'm still much better than I was last night. I won't take Breo again, EVER."

• Flu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2018

For Asthma "My nebulizer and my rescue inhaler were working, but my pulmonologist wanted to wean me from both. Two days after starting Breo Ellipta, I started a wracking cough with ample sputum, sore throat, irritated sinuses, headache, nasal congestion, chest tightness, and unable to take a deep breath. I thought it was the flu or a bad cold and continued using it for a week while symptoms got worse. The doctor said I could also use the nebulizer if necessary, but I found out neither the nebulizer nor the rescue inhaler had any effect while using Breo. The doctor stopped the Breo, and in 36 hours all side effects disappeared except the cough, which is definitely better. Will not take again."

• Ree...
• August 1, 2017

For Asthma "My doctor recommended 24-hour Breo to replace my Advair 250/50. In the first 4 days of taking Breo, I experienced most of the side effects of Breo (fever, chest infection, cough, mouth pain, excessive discharge, runny nose, sore throat, headache, back pain). I stopped taking Breo and went back to Advair. Will wait and see when the medication is improved. Thanks, Raed."

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2019

For Asthma "I have taken this medication, Breo Ellipta, for the last 2 days. I have had extreme muscle pain, migraine-like symptoms such as an awful headache with nausea. Sensitive to light. I am miserable. I hope the side effects wear off soon."

• Nop...
• April 16, 2020

For Asthma "Thanks to all the Lysol being sprayed in the office, my asthma flared up, and my doctor decided on Breo. It worked great the first 2 days, minus the intense headache and palpitations (I called in sick both days). On the 3rd day, I had a very aggressive migraine 5 minutes after taking the inhaler. My left arm went numb up to my neck. Fortunately, a Benadryl seemed to help, but I immediately started puking for the next 12 hours. I slept every minute I could but woke up to intense chills that made me puke again. Since this was a Saturday, I had to wait until Monday to see my doctor. When they took my vitals, I was hypertensive with a 143 heart rate. While it's not uncommon for my heart rate to be 100-110, my blood pressure rarely changes, let alone spikes to hypertensive levels. Now, over a week later, I'm stuck with dry, irritated feeling lungs. Again, my flare-up at the time was relatively minor and could have been treated way easier and cheaper with a standard steroid inhaler."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "Doctor gave me a sample. Used it 3 days. I do think it helped my breathing, but I stopped using it. I had the worst headache ever and terrible mouth pain. All of my teeth hurt and the entire inside of my mouth. Those problems were so painful that I stopped using it."

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

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

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2016

For Asthma "I was diagnosed with allergy-induced asthma last year after suffering for many years. Was prescribed Breo Ellipta, which worked almost instantly and totally resolved my symptoms. I was ecstatic as it was an absolute miracle drug and all my coughing and tight chest issues were gone! The very unfortunate downside was that I started with severe headaches, which literally crippled me. I went off the Breo, and the severe headaches stopped, but chesty issues have returned. My GP has now put me onto Symbicort to see how that goes. I'm so upset that the Breo didn't work out for me, as it is truly effective. Would highly recommend it (and hopefully no headaches for you)."

• Bri...
• February 8, 2016

For Asthma "I have been using Advair for 10 years, and my doctor decided to switch me up. I have been feeling weak, having headaches, dizzy, and like my vision is not tracking with my eyes. Also, I have been extremely sensitive to light ever since I started taking this. Called my doctor today and begged them to put me back on Advair."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2023

For COPD, Maintenance "My mom used Breo as a COPD maintenance medication. It is a horrible medication! The side effects outweigh the benefits. My mom used Breo for two months. The following is what she experienced: horrible panic attacks, extreme confusion, brain fog, hot flashes, neck pain, joint pain, headaches, tachycardia, fidgeting, repetitive movement, crying spells, A1C 6.4, frequent urination, stomach cramps, throat swelling, coughing, runny nose, shortness of breath, and she was always cold. I took her to the ER, and all test results (EKG, lab work, and CT scan) were negative. The reviews on this site helped me to narrow it down to the Breo inhaler. Breo was the only medication she took daily. The side effects developed after 8 weeks of usage. It wasn't gradual, it was abrupt. I notified her pulmonologist, and he switched her to Breztri. It has been 3 days since she used Breo, and I am praying that she returns to her normal self. There should be a support group for Breo users. It's that bad!"

• JKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "Not sure why the doctor gave me this inhaler as my asthma had been pretty good. So day 1 and 2, I 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 probably 4 days to be feeling better."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2021

For Asthma "I started using Breo Ellipta a week ago. Since then, I have developed terrible insomnia and occasional headaches. But even worse is the leg cramping, burning, and pain in my calves and thighs. I took my last dose yesterday morning and am praying the side effects end soon. I wouldn’t recommend this medication to anyone, and I’m a former nurse."

• Bac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2018

For Asthma "Started Breo Ellipta 200/25, and my symptoms were so much worse for about a week. Then it began to help. I had this weird headache every day, which was annoying. But after taking it for 2 months, I just suddenly, out of the blue, my symptoms came back (lung pain radiating into back, difficulty breathing, feeling like I'm getting enough air, but not enough oxygen). I do like that you only have to use this once a day!"

• Pho...
• January 8, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "45 years with asthma. 12-21-2020 I started Breo for asthma maintenance. Dec 31st, I noticed that my asthma symptoms returned, but not as strong. Jan 2, I had no symptoms (I forgot to use it). Jan 3 – 7. Jan 7 morning I realized I was feeling bad because of the Breo. During the past week, I'd had these symptoms, which turned out to be side effects of taking Breo: I threw up, coughing, headache (Jan 1 - 6), light-headedness, tightness in chest, labored breathing, change in voice, I could only talk for about 10 minutes without labored breathing. I realized it was the Breo because Jan 7, 2021, my symptoms returned about 10:00 am. Other days, I'd taken my dose around 8:00 am and I'd start feeling meh around 9/9:30 am. However, Jan 7, I didn't take the Breo until a little after 9:00 am. I was feeling fine prior to that. Jan 8, 2021, I did not take Breo. I have been feeling okay today. There's a little labored breathing, but not as labored as it was in the previous days."

• CJn...
• March 6, 2022

For Asthma "Horrible experience! First week nothing, then headaches, high BP, dizziness, and fatigue. After 27 days, I couldn’t take it anymore. Things got worse, all symptoms increased, and chills and joint aches started. At 70, worse experience ever to prescription medicine. Two weeks off and still not normal. By the way, it never helped my breathing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2019

For Asthma "I am not sure it worked, but I took Breo Ellipta for 30 days. At about day 25, I started getting this headache that would not go away despite taking all kinds of headache meds."

• tri...
• May 3, 2016

For Asthma "Horrible headache, buzzing in ears, terrible rat poison, back to Sybacourt."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 1, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "Caused inflammation, headaches, back pain, and lungs felt burnt."