Fluticasone / vilanterol and Cough: 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."

• 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."

• KBa...
• August 16, 2019

For Asthma "I started on the Breo Ellipta in April 2019. It was amazing, for the first time in 23 years, I could breathe properly. Take bigger breaths in general, and my asthma was gone. However, the side effects were huge. It gave me insomnia, and so it changed my sleeping pattern (I usually go to bed at 8 pm and wake at 5 am). I have been constantly sick since May this year (I’m not kidding). I gained a hell of a lot of weight, my skin changed from super oily skin to completely dried out, I had a constant cough, my sinuses (which have never been an issue prior) were playing up constantly, and mentally, I did not feel like myself at all. My mom, however, hasn’t had as many side effects. It is such a shame that we have to choose between dealing with the above or not being able to breathe. It took me a long time to finally get off it, but after speaking to my specialists and my mom, it was clear it didn’t sit well with my body. Back to the strongest dosage of Seretide, which doesn’t work."

• 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."

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

For Asthma, Maintenance "I started taking Breo Ellipta in November after my respirologist prescribed it after exposure to mold 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."

• Moa...
• April 2, 2019

For Asthma "I'm 38 and was prescribed Breo about 6 months ago. At least 2 (probably 3) sinus infections and 2 bouts of flu (with fever) since I started the Breo 6 months ago. All of these have come with a cough that I never used to have with a cold or flu. I know this because coughing worsened my asthma. I was always grateful to be sick without a cough. Two bouts of losing my voice as well. I can't say for certain it was the Breo that caused this bad fall/winter. Maybe all this doctor’s office time getting my asthma in check was just hard on my immune system? Before the Breo, I was a '2 mild colds a year' guy, and something has definitely changed. The worst part? After about 4 months of not seeming to work, the last 6 to 8 weeks have been without most asthma symptoms. So it works, I think, but is the cure worth the other symptoms? Why treat asthma if you will just come down with pneumonia?"

• 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!"

• rut...
• April 8, 2019

For Asthma "I have severe adult onset asthma, mostly irritant triggered. This is the first long-acting bronchodilator that works for me. Others make me feel worse within 3 weeks. I have gone off Breo twice, but ended up back on. Observations on and off have been consistent. The first couple of weeks after starting are very rough, with lots of coughing and attacks, like it's clearing all the crud out of my lungs. After about 2 weeks, I turn the corner and feel so much better. On Breo, rebounding from a significant irritant exposure that inflames my lungs is shortened to 3-5 days from 3-4 weeks without it! Rebounding from a bad attack is also much quicker and easier. Also, the good stretches feel so much better than before. I honestly didn't realize just how much it helped until the last time I went off. Within 3 months, I couldn't take it anymore, as I couldn't believe how much of a difference it made. I pray it comes down in cost, because at $350 per month, I can't afford it once the coupon expires."

• 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."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2019

For Asthma "I noticed that I felt better instantly from using Breo. But I was worried about what I would do once my coupon expires. I did have a terrible cough when I started using Breo. Then it went away. So because I worried about what to do when my coupon expires, I started to wean myself off. Then I noticed that my terrible cough came back, with yellow phlegm. Not sure of what the cause is."

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

For Asthma, Maintenance "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 minutes 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."

• Lam...
• May 17, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "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 effects. Will be talking to my doc when I go back in 2 weeks."

• A M...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2022

For Asthma "I was breathing fine before surgery, and I thought they prescribed Breo to help with recovery. I started having coughing and a very productive amount of mucus. I had tightness in my lungs. Could not do my exercise program. I went to my lung doctor, and he ordered a CAT scan to see if my cancer indeed had progressed. No, the CAT scan said I was fine as far as cancer. Problems were persistent, and I virtually have been a homebody, thinking that I was going to die. I just happened to stumble upon the side effects of the medication that was supposed to help me. I can’t believe this is even allowed to be on the market. I do believe that big pharma is only about money, and they don’t even care about what they are doing to people."

• 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."

• 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."

• Mjo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "Sore throat, runny nose, coughing up phlegm. Improved my spirometry test score. Don't like side effects."