Fluticasone / vilanterol and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2020

For Asthma "Pros: It reduces the need for bronchodilators... sort of. If you can get a full dose. Works better than most products, but the side effects are not worth it. Cons: Anxiety, high blood pressure, anxiety, afraid to leave the house alone anxiety, fast heart rate. I just do not feel well. Muscle and joint aches, restless legs. This drug needs to be reinvestigated by the FDA."

• Hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2019

For Asthma "I started taking Breo for my asthma about two weeks ago. At first, I thought this was a wonder drug. The ability to breathe and have increased stamina was a definite win. However, the side effects quickly and drastically started to add up. Tightness in my throat, raspy voice, and you know that 'stamina' I was referring to? It gradually turned into insomnia and massive anxiety (the kind where you are afraid to leave the house and are teary), heart palpitations. I stopped taking the medication and it took 2-3 days before I felt 'normal' again."

• hob...
• July 16, 2019

For Asthma "I just went off this drug last week after being on it for 2 years. About a month after I started this medication, I had the first panic attack of my life, for a completely unthreatening stimulus (I was sitting in traffic). Over the next two years, I continued to have panic attacks over very silly stimuli and constant anxiety/tension in my chest/neck area. After cutting out Flonase, caffeine, alcohol, birth control, and still having anxiety issues, it finally occurred to me that perhaps it was this medication. It has been one week since I went off the medication, with only my rescue inhaler for my asthma when I need it. I do feel the occasional slight shortness of breath, but I feel I can much better live with that than I could the side effects of Breo. I have not had any moment where my anxiety felt like it was going into panic territory, and my general anxiety level has drastically decreased. I feel like I'm alive again, and I don't need to worry about every little thing."

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

For Asthma, Maintenance "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 and actually made it very hard for me to breathe. It made me extremely irritable, mood swings, aggressive, weight gain, heart palpitations, severe anxiety attacks, spasms of my intercostal muscles, and made my chest very tight. This medicine caused me to also develop depression and a lack of motivation. Two days off of it, and I can finally take a deep breath, and my brain finally has clarity. I finally feel like myself again."

• Sus...
• May 8, 2020

For Asthma "How I wish I could use Breo regularly! Nothing I’ve tried is more effective for breathing; however, as I type this, I’m experiencing nausea, occasional flushing with cold sweats, increased heart rate, increased HBP and blood sugar, anxiety, depressed mood. I’ve entered the ER twice in the past trying this drug (never knew one could develop flu condition from a drug!). I had bronchitis two months ago (took antibiotic and prednisone) and have just not fully recovered. Wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing. I resumed Breo one puff every 5-6 days for relief. I knew better than to repeat a dose earlier. I keep Breo on hand for severe asthma flare-ups - I know - stupid. Amazing what those of us with asthma will risk to breathe! It will take around three days for the side effects to vanish. I’ll swear I’ll never use it again. I hope Breo doesn’t become the next Vioxx! Its side effects can be severe."

• Lad...
• September 17, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "After not having a flare-up all year and having my first one due to chemical exposure, I was in a full-blown flare-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 flare-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 wean 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."

• Wil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 3, 2019

For Asthma "Have had asthma since age 12. Also just quit smoking 5 weeks ago. Started Breo 2015-ish. It was like a miracle drug! Couldn't believe I didn't need my rescue for months at a time. Went through 1 inhaler/month most of my life. The drawback of Breo is that it severely weakened my immune system. Started getting oral thrush every 2-3 months even after rinsing and gargling with antiseptic. 2 years ago, I started getting sick all the time. Last year, I had the flu 2 times, a respiratory infection, and 3 stomach viruses. Took prednisone in January - I was told to stop Breo because that was too much steroid. Haven't touched it since, and haven't gotten sick since. Also have anxiety and heart palpitations now, never had prior to using Breo. Now not smoking and not taking Breo in 7 months, palpitations have lessened and anxiety is starting to get better. Feel better since stopping Breo. It's quite a shame because my asthma was totally controlled while taking it, but it still seems controlled. Hope I don't have to take it again!"

• mag...
• January 22, 2018

For Asthma "Wheezing constantly, hungry for air, fatigue, tremors, weakness on exertion, anxiety, back pain, swollen glands, earaches, and sinus trouble. Only relief is Benadryl. Am I allergic to this med? Waiting for the doctor to call - can't take any more."

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2018

For Asthma "Referred to a lung specialist after a flu gave me a bad cough for over 5 months. Diagnosed with asthma. Received a sample of Breo 100. It definitely helped with the overabundance of mucus. But after a week, developed insomnia, just couldn't stay asleep. Felt that irritable, nervous feeling. I've decided to stop using the inhaler, now to wait for a good night's sleep."

• msi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2022

For Asthma "Was put on Breo while pregnant as my asthma had flared up enough to warrant additional medication other than the rescue inhaler. Stopped cold turkey after I gave birth, and it seemed like my asthma calmed down. A job change and some allergies later, I had to go back on. Wasn't paying much attention to the side effects when I was pregnant because I chalked it all up to the pregnancy. But, after reading these comments, it all makes sense now. It has helped my breathing tremendously, absolutely. But my overall health has gone downhill. I would get days when I felt like my vision didn't track with my eyes (does not even make sense, but that's certainly what it feels like). Anxiety was crippling. Got boils on my face, butt, ears - it was insane. Restless legs at night. Insomnia initially, but then turned into extreme fatigue and muscle/bone pain. I have herniated discs in my neck/back, which I have always managed with chiropractic care and yoga, but suddenly none of those work anymore."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 14, 2023

For Asthma "A doctor prescribed me this for allergy asthma, and after a few months on it, I noticed weight gain in my midsection. The doctor told me Breo doesn’t cause weight gain. Breo worked well for me, but I can’t take it 6 days in a row. Causes me to have paranoia, anxiety, feeling depressed, always hungry, severe pain behind my eyeballs, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, feeling so bloated, and terrible sinus problems. I did more research, and sure enough, a lot of other people had similar issues. I never had an issue with high blood pressure until Breo. Also, I work out and eat healthy, but continued to gain weight in my midsection and face. Discontinued the medicine."

• Bad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 10, 2022

For COPD "It seemed to work, but later began to have severe anxiety, I didn't associate it with Breo, but now I do, afraid to leave the house. I just had a heart attack. I believe Breo played a part. Don't take this toxic drug. You could wind up like me. Hopefully, there are much better choices out there."

• Bev...
• May 10, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "Was first diagnosed with severe emphysema a year ago. Was put on Breo 200/25. It worked great in giving me the ability to breathe comfortably. Two months later, I had bronchitis that turned into pneumonia and a mild heart attack. After tests, doctors decided the heart attack was a fluke brought on by being so sick that it put a strain on my heart. While in the hospital, they had me on two inhalers, a nebulizer every 4 hrs, and oxygen 24/7, which I had to use when I was released. After a week at home, I went back on the Breo. Within a week, I was off the oxygen and able to stop using the rescue inhaler and nebulizer. Four months later, I moved and went to a new doctor. He diagnosed me with severe asthma. Now I have side effects of anxiety, not sleeping well."

• Dry...
• December 22, 2021

For Asthma "Started using Breo for asthma three years ago. It controlled my asthma without the need for my rescue inhalers. I noticed that I could not use my contacts anymore and my eyes were dry. I developed cataracts! Also, I had anxiety and insomnia. Then I developed adrenal fatigue. I stopped taking it."

• jle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "Shortly after taking Breo for the first time, I felt light-headed, a little shaky, and tingling in my hands. This lasted about 30 minutes or so. I experienced the same effects for 4 days. On the fifth day, I took a very deep inhalation, and I felt light-headed to the point of dizziness. I also felt a little jittery. This time, the tingling in my hands (especially my left hand) was extremely obvious for 3 hours, then gradually went away. I was advised to stop taking it. It did not help my asthma symptoms (although I was only on it for 5 days). I coughed more than usual while on it."

• Ast...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2019

For Asthma "Caused insomnia, bad dreams, massive anxiety. Had to go on medication."

• Car...
• June 11, 2017

For Asthma "Awful! I have pretty bad asthma, and the doctor had me try this medicine, and it made my asthma so much worse! Made me dizzy, I couldn't breathe, sleep, it gave me anxiety!!!! Do not take this!!"