Breo Ellipta for COPD, Maintenance User Reviews

• Hal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2019

"Breo definitely helped with breathing, but the side effects are not good for me. On Breo for 3 months and found I gained 20 pounds, was always hungry, excessive phlegm, continually tired, leg cramps in the morning, extreme uncomfortable bloating to the point I thought I would bust. So no... it doesn’t work for me."

• Emm...
• August 8, 2019

"I have chronic asthma. I have been on Breo for 3 months. I am able to breathe. Not used any Ventolin at all. At first, I had dizzy spells a couple of times, which lasted for a few hours. I was full of energy and so happy that I am able to do my house chores without any issues. After a while, I noticed my scalp itchy and dry. My muscles started to ache, my joints especially. I started to gain weight, hungry all the time. I was becoming tired, unable to concentrate. My face bloated, I was retaining fluid, which I noticed when I took off my socks. Had to buy some new shoes, and to my amazement, I had to buy a size bigger. What do you do, put up with side effects to breathe?"

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2019

"Doctor gave me a sample. Used it 3 days. I do think it helped my breathing, but I stopped using it. I had the worst headache ever and terrible mouth pain. All of my teeth hurt and the entire inside of my mouth. Those problems were so painful that I stopped using it."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2023

"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!"

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2019

"I am a 57-year-old woman with very early COPD due to smoking for 30 years. I have been on Breo for 3 months, and it has worked great for me! No shortness of breath while walking like before. I have had leg pain, but it could be from the statin I'm taking. I would say the benefits I've received from this drug far outweigh the slight side effects I've experienced."

• gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2016

"My doctor changed albuterol to Breo Ellipta 200/25. I used it for 6 months. It helped, but it was designed for that. I have a lot of side effects, blood pressure went up from 145/155 to 165, then gained weight from 180 pounds to 190 pounds. I started getting boils left and right, usually between 4 to 6 weeks, on my face 6 times and on my butt 4 times. I do not recommend this medication, it is very expensive. Then I stopped using it for 2 weeks, and I would like to prove to my doctor that those boils are because I used this medicine. According to my doctor, it's not from Breo Ellipta."

• Ill...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2019

"My pulmonologist prescribed Breo Ellipta for a lung infection, so despite the chain of side effects, I did the one-month course. It did alleviate the issues I was having along with a course of other steroids, but going forward, no thank you. I use my nebulizer for something else, which I should have reverted to in the first place, and it works much better."

• Mia...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 27, 2022

"Horrible medicine! Has fluoride causing bone problems, and vilanterol is a poisonous hazard! Why are pharmaceutical companies trying to kill people? I have gained over 60 lbs. Now I have bone pain. My hips are so bad I can barely move. An X-ray showed osteoarthritis just since being on this drug. I am so depressed, I have never been so sick or fat before. I bruise easily. Tired all the time but unable to sleep. It is miserable. Problems seeing, I have a halo around lights outside, lighting really bothers me, night blindness. Worst part: I am a nurse and just tying all these symptoms to this medicine. So many medicines I gave my patients knowing they cause harm, and I take medicine that’s horrible for my body. I look in the mirror and don’t even know that person. I used to run track. Very athletic until doctors started giving me medicine."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2023

"Been on Breo Ellipta for four months. At first, I thought it was a cure-all. I could walk upstairs and not have to sit down right away. Walking wasn't such a chore. But then, after about two months, I started to gain weight-15 lbs., all in the midsection. Along with horrible bloating! Most of the time, I just thought I would burst from the pressure. Also, now I'm not able to walk any distance. It was good at the start, but I will be stopping this medication."

• nmc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2020

"It somewhat works. It does not last a full 24 hours as they claim. Lasts about 14 hours. I'm going to stop using it because of the price. Way too costly. They also change the price constantly. Can't wait until all these companies' patents run out on long-term inhalers so I can get a generic version."

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2019

"I had intense wheezing originating from my throat that prevented me from falling asleep. After using other medications did not resolve the issue, Breo did. When the wheezing returns, I use Breo once or twice (one per day) to eliminate the wheezing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 5, 2024

"I have COPD, asthma, and chronic bronchitis. 64 years old and smoked for 30 years, quit when I was 47. I've been using Breo 200/25 for 18 months, and it has changed my life. I don't get out of breath as fast as I used to, and my constant cough is gone, now I only cough a few times a day. I'm very pleased with how it works for me. I haven't had any side effects."

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2022

"Decades of inhalers for asthma, and now COPD. Working as fast as Albuterol, and without that powdery awful taste. It also seems to be calming sinus swelling. Amazing, it's only been 2 hours since first use. Impressive. I know, an early review, but I'm impressed."

• Naj...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 7, 2016

"Has made a big improvement in my breathing. Just be sure to rinse your mouth well after using to avoid throat and mouth issues."

• Pau...
• September 14, 2016

"Intense itching on the front and back of the torso and arms."

• Sda...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2016

"Tried this for a month, and it didn't work nearly as well as my previous medications. Asked doctor to switch me back. Awkward inhaler."

• Lis...
• August 13, 2020

"Going off it after 5 months because I need to see if it's the cause of hypertension and hypertensive crisis. Never had high BP in my life, always on the low side."

• Ree...
• September 29, 2016

"Breo, along with Incruse, has improved my breathing tenfold! I am so happy to be feeling better. Free co-pay from both companies."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 8, 2021

"Works excellently for me in treating COPD. Once per day, 200/25 dosage. Albuterol failed to prevent emergency room necessity due to lack of ability to unload air."

• Dix...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 14, 2021

"Breo has been very effective in treating my asthma and COPD. I can tell when I've missed it for one day. Wish it wasn't so expensive. BCBS stopped covering it."