Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol) is a brand-name medication prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in adults and some children. As with other drugs, Breo Ellipta can cause side effects, such as cough.

Breo Ellipta can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Breo Ellipta in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Breo Ellipta use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Breo Ellipta’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported by people who took Breo Ellipta for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include:

  • headache
  • sore throat
  • cough
  • joint stiffness
  • back pain
  • fever
  • upper respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold
  • oral thrush (fungal infection in your mouth or throat)*

Mild side effects that have been reported by people who took Breo Ellipta for asthma include:

  • headache
  • cough
  • hoarseness
  • upper respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold
  • oral thrush*

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Breo Ellipta and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Breo Ellipta may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Breo Ellipta’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Breo Ellipta, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • Paradoxical bronchospasm (an unexpected tightening of the airways), which may include symptoms such as:
    • worsening of breathing after using Breo Ellipta
    • cough
    • wheezing that doesn’t get better
  • Decreased bone density, which may include symptoms such as:
  • Eye problems, such as glaucoma or cataracts. Symptoms may include:
    • eye pain
    • blurry vision
    • trouble seeing at night
    • seeing a halo-like glow around lights
  • High blood sugar, which may cause symptoms such as:
    • feeling more thirsty than usual
    • fatigue
    • frequent urge to urinate
  • Hypercorticism (high cortisol levels) or adrenal suppression (low cortisol levels), which may include symptoms such as:
    • muscle weakness
    • weight gain, mainly around your midsection and upper back
    • skin that appears darker
    • tiredness
  • Increased risk of infections, such as pneumonia, which may include symptoms such as:
    • fever
    • chills
    • cough
    • fatigue
  • Heart problems.*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Breo Ellipta inhaler can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Breo Ellipta, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Breo Ellipta may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Breo Ellipta cause weight gain?

No, Breo Ellipta should not cause weight gain. This wasn’t reported as a side effect in clinical studies of the drug.

Breo Ellipta contains fluticasone furoate, which is an inhaled corticosteroid. Certain medications used to treat asthma and COPD, such as prednisone (a corticosteroid that you swallow), may cause weight gain when used long term. However, since Breo Ellipta is inhaled, it’s less likely to cause weight gain than oral steroids.

In rare cases, using high doses of Breo Ellipta or using it long term may affect the amount of cortisol the body produces. Your body may produce too much cortisol, leading to a high cortisol level, which could cause you to gain weight.

Talk with your doctor if you experience changes in weight while using Breo Ellipta.

Is acid reflux a side effect of Breo Ellipta?

No, acid reflux wasn’t reported as a side effect of Breo Ellipta in clinical studies. However, people with asthma often have acid reflux. It’s known that asthma can often worsen the symptoms of acid reflux.

In addition, acid reflux can trigger asthma symptoms. Some medications used for asthma or COPD, such as albuterol or prednisone, may increase acid reflux symptoms. However, Breo Ellipta isn’t known to have this effect.

Talk with your doctor if you have symptoms of acid reflux. They can determine whether you have acid reflux and can recommend ways to best manage it.

Can I take two doses of Breo Ellipta?

Breo Ellipta should only be used once daily. Inhaling extra doses may increase your risk of some side effects, such as headache, cough, or sore throat. Consistently using extra doses of Breo Ellipta may raise your risk of serious side effects, such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, or increased heart rate.

Talk with your doctor if you feel your current dose of Breo Ellipta isn’t working. They may recommend increasing your dose or suggest a different medication that’s a better treatment option for you.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Breo Ellipta may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Breo Ellipta.

Oral thrush

Oral thrush is a fungal (yeast) infection that can develop in your mouth or throat. This was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of the drug. This occurs when there’s an overgrowth of the fungus (yeast) that’s typically in your mouth. Symptoms of thrush may include:

  • white or yellow bumps on your mouth, tongue, or throat
  • pain when eating or swallowing
  • a bad taste in your mouth

What you can do

To help prevent thrush, you should always rinse your mouth with water after each dose of Breo Ellipta. After rinsing, spit the water out (do not swallow it). Rinsing your mouth out helps remove any leftover medication from your mouth.

Talk with your doctor if you experience symptoms of thrush. They’ll likely prescribe an antifungal medication to treat the infection. If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend you stop treatment with Breo Ellipta until the infection goes away.

Heart problems

In some people, Breo Ellipta can cause heart problems, such as high blood pressure or irregular heart rhythm. These side effects weren’t common in clinical studies of the drug.

High blood pressure typically doesn’t cause any symptoms. Severe high blood pressure may cause symptoms such as:

  • headache
  • dizziness
  • blurry vision
  • nausea

Symptoms of an irregular heart rhythm may include:

What you can do

If you already have a condition, such as high blood pressure or an arrhythmia, you may have an increased risk of heart problems. Your doctor will monitor you closely for heart-related side effects. If you notice any symptoms of heart problems, talk with your doctor right away. They may suggest a different medication to treat your COPD or asthma.

Below is important information you should consider before using Breo Ellipta.

Other precautions

Before using Breo Ellipta, discuss your health history with your doctor. Breo Ellipta may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.