Fluticasone / vilanterol and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• 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."

• CGH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "Started using Breo after a severe asthma exacerbation. At first, it controlled my asthma very well, I barely had to use my rescue inhaler. But over months, it stopped working and actually made it very hard for me to breathe. It made me extremely irritable, mood swings, aggressive, weight gain, heart palpitations, severe anxiety attacks, spasms of my intercostal muscles, and made my chest very tight. This medicine caused me to also develop depression and a lack of motivation. Two days off of it, and I can finally take a deep breath, and my brain finally has clarity. I finally feel like myself again."

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

For COPD, Maintenance "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

For COPD, Maintenance "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?"

• 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."

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

For COPD, Maintenance "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."

• Bre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2019

For Asthma "I've had asthma and allergies since I was 8 years old. I was given a sample of Breo 100/25 by an allergist back in fall of 2017. From the first day of use, I didn't have to rely on my rescue inhaler for the first time since age 8. Now, when the weather is bad-high pollution days or right before it rains, I might need my Ventolin inhaler, but it is so infrequent, I haven't refilled my prescription in ages, and before the Breo, I used to use one inhaler per month minimum. The biggest issue I've had is weight gain around my midsection, and I've gotten shorter. A DEXA scan verified that my disk spaces have narrowed, but so far my bones are healthy. I was 5'9'' when I began the medication and am now 5'7 1/2''. I go to the gym 3 days a week and alternate between cardio and strength training and cannot lose the weight. But at this point in my life, breathing without an inhaler in my pocket 24/7 is better than a little extra weight."

• 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."

• Lee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 23, 2020

For Asthma "I have been battling asthma for over 40 years, utilizing maintenance inhalers and rescue inhalers. Since I have been on Breo, for the past 4 years, I have not had to use my rescue inhaler. In fact, my pulsox always used to read between 91 and 93% on room air. Now it reads 95 to 97% on room air. When I take long, deep breaths, I no longer cough. Not sure whether the weight gain is a side effect or because I've always had the tendency to be a 'fatty patty.' I'll blame the med. LOL."

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

For COPD, Maintenance "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."

• Jon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2020

For Asthma "Breo Ellipta was the miracle asthma preventer at first. Couldn't believe it. Then became less effective in a very short time. Left me feeling extremely bloated, and I started to put a bit of weight on around my stomach. I have been working out every day for years. I've now chucked my Breo away and will never use it ever again. I've also noticed other side effects with my vision since taking it. DON'T use Breo."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 14, 2023

For Asthma "A doctor prescribed me this for allergy asthma, and after a few months on it, I noticed weight gain in my midsection. The doctor told me Breo doesn’t cause weight gain. Breo worked well for me, but I can’t take it 6 days in a row. Causes me to have paranoia, anxiety, feeling depressed, always hungry, severe pain behind my eyeballs, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, feeling so bloated, and terrible sinus problems. I did more research, and sure enough, a lot of other people had similar issues. I never had an issue with high blood pressure until Breo. Also, I work out and eat healthy, but continued to gain weight in my midsection and face. Discontinued the medicine."