Breo Ellipta and Pain: What Users Say

• Ann...
• September 28, 2019

For Asthma "Breo did work for me, it was like a miracle drug, but unfortunately, I have had major adverse side effects from it. I have had flu-like symptoms, mood swings, and every time I breathe in, the right side of my ribs is in absolute agony. It's a horribly anxious-provoking situation. I can't drive because when I go over any bumps on the road, my side hurts terribly. I have also been getting a dry throat. I went to the doctors, had tests, and found out it has caused me to have pleurisy. I have now stopped taking it, the risk of side effects is not worth it, unfortunately. Beware of this drug, it is very dangerous for some."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

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

For Asthma, Maintenance "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 the drug at first, so went to the doctor and started muscle relaxers and inflammation reduction meds. Unable to turn my 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 spasms 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."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "I am a 57-year-old woman with very early COPD due to smoking for 30 years. I have been on Breo for 3 months, and it has worked great for me! No shortness of breath while walking like before. I have had leg pain, but it could be from the statin I'm taking. I would say the benefits I've received from this drug far outweigh the slight side effects I've experienced."

• Fis...
• January 25, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "I've had asthma since I was about four (now forty), 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 without using it, I can sleep at night, and I have gone days 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 it's 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 four or five months. BUT it still works well."

• 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."

• cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2021

For Asthma "I was recently diagnosed with asthma after I started having shortness of breath and difficulty catching my breath. I had had these symptoms twice previously in 53 years. They started to go away after a couple of months. I started taking Breo Ellipta five days ago. At first, it caused rapid heartbeat that was very uncomfortable. The doctor said this was probably temporary. After that, I started having pain and tightness in my chest, especially when I raise my hands above my head. Last night, I had trouble sleeping, even with generic Xanax (Alprazolam). I've been able to breathe better, but I'm not sure the side effects are worth it."

• 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."