BREO ELLIPTA (FLUTICASONE FUROATE/VILANTEROL)

About Breo Ellipta

Breo Ellipta contains two active ingredients that work together to help open your airways to make breathing easier if you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are at least 18 years of age. Symptoms of coughing, wheezing, and finding it difficult to breathe can interfere with work, school, and socializing unless you bring them under control.

How Does Breo Ellipta Work?

Fluticasone Furoate is an inhaled corticosteroid that acts like your own cortisol and binds to the glucocorticoid receptors (GR) located in almost every cell in your body. These receptors, in part, regulate your metabolism and your immune response. By binding to the GRs, your immune system becomes suppressed so it’s less likely to produce the chemicals that cause inflammatory reactions.

Vilanterol is a long-acting beta adrenergic agonist (LABA) that is usually taken only once a day to improve lung function. It works on your bronchioles and bronchi to cause them to relax and allow your airways to widen so you can breathe easier.

Conditions Treated by Breo Ellipta

Asthma is a chronic lung condition for which there is no cure, only treatments to help decrease the inflammation and open the narrowed bronchial tubes. The exact cause of asthma is still a mystery, but some potential causes are thought to include; heredity, the environment, and a malfunctioning immune system. Once your asthma is under control, your doctor may recommend that you stop using Breo Ellipta.

COPD is the collective name for two lung conditions (chronic bronchitis and emphysema) that are caused by smoking, second hand smoke, pollution, dust or fumes inhaled in the workplace, or a history of childhood respiratory infections. Chronic bronchitis involves an inflammatory condition in your lungs that causes your respiratory passages to become irritated and swollen with an increase in mucus production; emphysema develops slowly during years of smoking cigarettes. The air sacs in your lungs become damaged and you start to find it more difficult to breathe in or out.

Before You are Prescribed Breo Ellipta

Ask your doctor if Breo Ellipta is safe to use if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing. Discuss other medical conditions or allergies you have and list any OTC or Rx medications you are on, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements, this allows your doctor to determine if Breo Ellipta is the right drug for you.

Breo Ellipta Recommendations and Proper Use

After using Breo Ellipta as directed, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out. This will reduce the risk of developing an oral yeast infection. Talk with your doctor before changing dosage, starting a new drug, or stopping any current meds as this could affect how Breo Ellipta will work for you. You should try to avoid being in large crowds where there is a risk of people that are sick or have an infection during the time your immune system is reduced by Breo Ellipta. If you experience a sudden asthma attack, you must use a fast-acting rescue inhaler because Breo Ellipta may be long lasting, but it does not act quickly enough to restore your breathing immediately.

Possible Side Effects of Breo Ellipta

• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat