- Understanding COPD Slideshow
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Quiz
- Energy Foods for COPD Slideshow Pictures
- What is Breo Ellipta? What is Breo Ellipta used for?
- What are the side effects of fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation?
- What is the dosage for fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation?
- Is fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation?
What is Breo Ellipta? What is Breo Ellipta used for?
Breo Ellipta for oral inhalation is a combination of fluticasone and vilanterol and is used for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fluticasone is a man-made steroid of the glucocorticoid family which is related to the naturally-occurring steroid hormone, cortisol or hydrocortisone, produced by the adrenal glands. Glucocorticoid steroids have potent anti- inflammatory actions. When used as an inhaler, fluticasone travels to the airways in the lung. In COPD patients, the suppression of inflammation within the airways reduces the inflammatory-stimulated spasm of the smooth muscle cells surrounding the airways that narrows the airways and makes getting air into and out of the lungs more difficult. When used in lower doses, very little fluticasone is absorbed into the body. When higher doses are used, fluticasone is absorbed and may cause side effects elsewhere in the body.
Vilanterol is a bronchodilator of the beta-2 agonist type. Beta-2 agonists are medications that stimulate beta-2 receptors on the smooth muscle cells that surround the airways, causing these muscle cells to relax and thereby opening the airways. It is similar to salmeterol (Serevent). Breo Ellipta opens the airways and increases air supply to the lungs of COPD patients. The FDA approved Breo Ellipta in May 2013.
What brand names are available for fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation?
Breo Ellipta
Is fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation available as a generic drug?
No
Do I need a prescription for fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation?
Yes
What are the side effects of fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation?
The most common side effects of Breo Ellipta are:
- headache,
- upper respiratory tract infections,
- cold symptoms, and
- oral candidiasis or thrush (a fungal infection).
Breo Ellipta also may cause bronchospasms (wheezing). Bronchospasm should be treated with a rescue inhaler.
High doses of inhaled fluticasone may decrease formation and increase breakdown of bone thereby weakening bones and promoting fractures. Higher doses of fluticasone also may cause suppression of the body's ability to make its own natural glucocorticoid in the adrenal gland. People with suppression of their own adrenal glands (which can be diagnosed by a doctor) would need increased amounts of glucocorticoids, probably by the oral or intravenous route, during periods of high physical stress when glucocorticoids are particularly important.
Inhaled steroids may cause growth suppression, weaken the immune system, and may increase the risk of glaucoma, increased eye pressure, and cataracts.
Allergic reactions, including swelling of face, throat and tongue, rash, hives, and breathing problems may occur. Use of long acting drugs like vilanterol may increase the risk of asthma-related death. Breo Ellipta should not be used for treatment of asthma.
Other important side effects of Vilanterol include:
- increased heart rate,
- blood pressure, and
- abnormal heart rhythms.
What is the dosage for fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation?
The recommended dose is one inhalation once daily by mouth. Following administration, the mouth should be rinsed thoroughly with water without swallowing to reduce risk of fungal infections.

QUESTION
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is the same as adult-onset asthma. See AnswerWhich drugs or supplements interact with fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation?
: Ritonavir (Norvir), atazanavir (Reyataz), clarithromycin (Biaxin), indinavir (Crixivan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole, nelfinavir (Viracept), and telithromycin (Ketek) may increase levels of fluticasone and vilanterol in the body by reducing the breakdown of fluticasone and vilanterol by liver enzymes. This may increase side effects of Breo Ellipta.
Beta blockers (for example, atenolol [Tenormin]) can block the effects of vilanterol and cause bronchospam in patients with COPD.
Combining or using Breo Ellipta within two weeks of stopping monoamine oxidase inhibitors (for example, phenelzine), tricyclic antidepressants (for example, amitriptyline [Endep, Elavil]), or other drugs that affect heart rate and rhythm, may increase risk of heart-related side effects.
Is fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
It is not known if fluticasone or vilanterol are secreted in breast milk. Other medications in the same class as fluticasone or vilanterol are secreted into breast milk.
What else should I know about fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation?
How should I keep fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation stored?
Breo Ellipta should be kept at room temperature, 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F) and stored in a dry place away from light.
Latest Lungs News
Daily Health News
Trending on MedicineNet
Summary
Fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation powder (Breo Ellipta) is an oral inhalation medication prescribed for the long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD (emphysema or chronic bronchitis). Side effects, drug interactions, dosage, and warnings and precautions should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.
Related Disease Conditions
-
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung condition caused by smoking tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke, and/or air pollutants. Conditions that accompany COPD include chronic bronchitis, chronic cough, and emphysema. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, wheezing, and chronic cough. Treatment of COPD includes GOLD guidelines, smoking cessation, medications, and surgery. The life expectancy of a person with COPD depends on the stage of the disease.
-
Asthma
Asthma is a condition in which hyperreactive airways constrict and result in symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Causes of asthma include genetics, environmental factors, personal history of allergies, and other factors. Asthma is diagnosed by a physician based on a patient's family history and results from lung function tests and other exams. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting bronchodilators (LABAs) are used in the treatment of asthma. Generally, the prognosis for a patient with asthma is good. Exposure to allergens found on farms may protect against asthma symptoms.
-
Emphysema
Emphysema is a COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) that often occurs with other obstructive pulmonary problems and chronic bronchitis. Causes of emphysema include chronic cigarette smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, and in the underdeveloped parts of the world. Symptoms of emphysema include chronic cough, chest discomfort, breathlessness, and wheezing. Treatments include medication and lifestyle changes.
-
Chronic Bronchitis (Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Remedies)
Chronic bronchitis is a cough that occurs daily with production of sputum that lasts for at least three months, two years in a row. Causes of chronic bronchitis include cigarette smoking, inhaled irritants, and underlying disease processes (such as asthma, or congestive heart failure). Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Treatments include bronchodilators and steroids. Complications of chronic bronchitis include COPD and emphysema.
-
Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds
If you have a COPD such as emphysema, avoiding chronic bronchitis and colds is important to avoid a more severe respiratory infection such as pneumonia. Avoiding cigarette smoking, practice good hygeine, stay away from crowds, and alerting your healthcare provider if you have a sinus infection or cold or cough that becomes worse. Treatment options depend upon the severity of the emphysema, bronchitis, or cold combination.

SLIDESHOW
COPD Foods to Boost Your Health - COPD Diet Tips See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.