Fluticasone / vilanterol and Shortness Of Breath: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Lei...
• October 29, 2015

For Asthma "I was changed to Breo almost 3 months ago, after being on Advair 100/50 for 14 years. My Dr. changed it because he felt that Breo would be less steroid in my body. Well, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' My breathing got worse, and it is a struggle to take a deep breath. I had to use my rescue inhaler 2-3 times a day this past month, when with Advair, I'd only use it 1-2 times a year. I constantly felt like someone was choking me, or that my lungs wouldn't inflate fully, and I'd have heart palpitations when I'd lay down, which would wake me from sleep. A recent CT scan showed bibasilar atelectasis, whereas another done prior to Breo this year didn't show that finding. I started back on my Advair today. I hope it still works for me now."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• No ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2021

For Asthma "I had an awful reaction to just one dose of Breo. Itching and burning in my ears and throat. Runny nose. Tachycardia. Wheezing. Adrenal insufficiency the following morning. I had to use my Flovent inhaler. That was the first and last time I would use Breo. I urge everyone to read the reviews and to read the side effects on the Breo website, as this is a very expensive and dangerous experiment."

• 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."

• Chu...
• January 2, 2016

For Asthma "Body aches, fever, chest pain, heavy chest, problems breathing, stomach pain."

• Jra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Asthma "I took Breo for asthma, 1 puff a day. For about 14 days, I felt the worst because of using it. This is poison to your body. Tight chest pain, couldn’t breathe, plus big time out of breath."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "Been working fine for me at first during the first few months. However, now I'm having several asthma attacks during the day and at night as well. I'm going back to the doctor to try something else."