Breo Ellipta and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2019

For Asthma "I started taking Breo for my asthma about two weeks ago. At first, I thought this was a wonder drug. The ability to breathe and have increased stamina was a definite win. However, the side effects quickly and drastically started to add up. Tightness in my throat, raspy voice, and you know that 'stamina' I was referring to? It gradually turned into insomnia and massive anxiety (the kind where you are afraid to leave the house and are teary), heart palpitations. I stopped taking the medication and it took 2-3 days before I felt 'normal' again."

• Ala...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2020

For COPD "66 years old. Severe COPD (48% lungs). Went on Breo and Ventolin on 12-31-19. After a couple of weeks, I started to have bad neck pains, lots of muscle pains. I use a CPAP and started to have sleeping problems. Actually started using a cane because I fell a couple of times. I’m a Type 2 diabetic and my A1C went up from 6.5 to 8.7 in 7 weeks, but the worst was the depression. I constantly had really bad dark thoughts to the point of actually planning how to do it so it wouldn’t be as bad for my family. Went to my Pulmonary Doctor, who sent me to my regular Doctor, who wanted to Baker Act me. So I stopped my Breo cold turkey and was hoping that would kill me faster. To my amazement, within 5 days I’m back to my normal self before Breo. No suicidal thoughts, no mood problems, sleeping like a baby again, no cane. Still having breathing issues but Ventolin seems to help without side effects. These doctors never even thought Breo might be the problem. Breo is a very dangerous drug!"

• 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."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have had moderate asthma since age 13, now age 41. I have participated in multiple full marathons, cycling, swimming, rowing, yoga, walking ALL with only Singulair and a Ventolin inhaler before high-intensity exercise. I was prescribed Breo because taking Ventolin before exercise multiple times a week is considered 'uncontrollable asthma.' It has been roughly 20 days and my voice is always raspy, I have a tremor in my hands, always hungry, dry scalp, insomnia at night, pain in my chest, skipping heartbeats, and weight gain. I try going for just a brisk walk, and my lungs are immediately tight and irritated. I then try my rescue inhaler, which was my go-to and it is useless, like I never even took it. I am discontinuing my use of this inhaler and going back to the unacceptable method where I could breathe just fine normally and used only for exercise. It's much better than these side effects."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "Breo 200/25 worked great for about 6 months. Never used my rescue inhaler. Now I have a chronic sore throat and raspy voice, chest pain, muscle spasms in both hands, fatigue, and insomnia. I can still breathe deeply, but the side effects are getting worse the longer I continue to use Breo. I plan to return to using Symbicort, the only side effect from that was a raspy voice. I was put on Spiriva Respimat also last month, but the combination of Spiriva and Breo caused me to totally lose my voice. I had to quit the Spiriva, voice loss and terrible heartburn/stomach pain."

• Som...
• July 26, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "Was put on it after unknown lung disease (Hypersensitivity pneumonitis OR Bronchiolitis obliterans - yet to be determined). I think it does improve breathing, but I'm having a hard time concentrating, feeling emotional, bad sleep, and muscle and bone pain. With all these side effects, I'd rather have a harder time breathing than feel like I'm a different person... But as it seems, not everyone is affected the same."

• 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."

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2018

For Asthma "Referred to a lung specialist after a flu gave me a bad cough for over 5 months. Diagnosed with asthma. Received a sample of Breo 100. It definitely helped with the overabundance of mucus. But after a week, developed insomnia, just couldn't stay asleep. Felt that irritable, nervous feeling. I've decided to stop using the inhaler, now to wait for a good night's sleep."

• msi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2022

For Asthma "Was put on Breo while pregnant as my asthma had flared up enough to warrant additional medication other than the rescue inhaler. Stopped cold turkey after I gave birth, and it seemed like my asthma calmed down. A job change and some allergies later, I had to go back on. Wasn't paying much attention to the side effects when I was pregnant because I chalked it all up to the pregnancy. But, after reading these comments, it all makes sense now. It has helped my breathing tremendously, absolutely. But my overall health has gone downhill. I would get days when I felt like my vision didn't track with my eyes (does not even make sense, but that's certainly what it feels like). Anxiety was crippling. Got boils on my face, butt, ears - it was insane. Restless legs at night. Insomnia initially, but then turned into extreme fatigue and muscle/bone pain. I have herniated discs in my neck/back, which I have always managed with chiropractic care and yoga, but suddenly none of those work anymore."

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

For COPD, Maintenance "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."

• Tex...
• April 13, 2022

For COPD "I have COPD/emphysema and never smoked, so I was surprised at my diagnosis. Now 65 years old. I tried several inhalers, none of which worked or had side effects. My doctor finally prescribed Breo. It worked really well for my breathing. Then, after about a month, and thinking I was losing my mind from the intense depression and anger, I stopped taking it. After a day, I was beginning to feel like my old, happy self. I tried the Breo one more time and those emotions hit me again immediately. I also had dizziness, hoarseness, fatigue, and insomnia. I will NEVER use that again."

• cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2021

For Asthma "I was recently diagnosed with asthma after I started having shortness of breath and difficulty catching my breath. I had had these symptoms twice previously in 53 years. They started to go away after a couple of months. I started taking Breo Ellipta five days ago. At first, it caused rapid heartbeat that was very uncomfortable. The doctor said this was probably temporary. After that, I started having pain and tightness in my chest, especially when I raise my hands above my head. Last night, I had trouble sleeping, even with generic Xanax (Alprazolam). I've been able to breathe better, but I'm not sure the side effects are worth it."

• Bev...
• May 10, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "Was first diagnosed with severe emphysema a year ago. Was put on Breo 200/25. It worked great in giving me the ability to breathe comfortably. Two months later, I had bronchitis that turned into pneumonia and a mild heart attack. After tests, doctors decided the heart attack was a fluke brought on by being so sick that it put a strain on my heart. While in the hospital, they had me on two inhalers, a nebulizer every 4 hrs, and oxygen 24/7, which I had to use when I was released. After a week at home, I went back on the Breo. Within a week, I was off the oxygen and able to stop using the rescue inhaler and nebulizer. Four months later, I moved and went to a new doctor. He diagnosed me with severe asthma. Now I have side effects of anxiety, not sleeping well."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2021

For Asthma "I started using Breo Ellipta a week ago. Since then, I have developed terrible insomnia and occasional headaches. But even worse is the leg cramping, burning, and pain in my calves and thighs. I took my last dose yesterday morning and am praying the side effects end soon. I wouldn’t recommend this medication to anyone, and I’m a former nurse."

• Dry...
• December 22, 2021

For Asthma "Started using Breo for asthma three years ago. It controlled my asthma without the need for my rescue inhalers. I noticed that I could not use my contacts anymore and my eyes were dry. I developed cataracts! Also, I had anxiety and insomnia. Then I developed adrenal fatigue. I stopped taking it."

• gli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "Worked great, but keeps me wired like I had 4 cups of coffee. Fine for during the day, but I'm typing this on my phone at 5 AM after not being able to sleep half the night. Not sure if I'll continue."

• Ast...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2019

For Asthma "Caused insomnia, bad dreams, massive anxiety. Had to go on medication."

• Lin...
• July 7, 2022

For Asthma "I tried Breo Ellipta for 5 days and was not able to sleep those 5 days. It was not good for me."