Breo Ellipta, made simple.
Breo Ellipta is a once a day inhaler for asthma and COPD. One thing is essential to know from the start: it is a daily maintenance inhaler, not a rescue inhaler. It will not stop a sudden attack. This guide explains how it works, how to use the inhaler correctly, and what to watch for. A Mississippi pharmacist wrote it for you.
This guide is here to teach you. It is not medical advice, and it does not replace your doctor or pharmacist. Always do what your doctor tells you, and ask a pharmacist before you change how you take any medicine.
Print this guide for your fridgeWhat Breo Ellipta is and why your doctor gave it to you
Breo Ellipta is a once a day inhaler used to manage asthma and COPD, which is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
It holds two medicines. One is a steroid that calms inflammation in your airways. The other opens the airways and keeps them open. Together they make breathing steadier, day to day.
Here is the part to understand clearly. Breo Ellipta is a maintenance inhaler. You use it every day, even on days you feel fine, to keep your lungs steady over time. It is not a rescue inhaler. It does not work fast, and it will not help a sudden attack. You still need a separate rescue inhaler, usually albuterol, and you should keep it with you.
The simple version: Breo Ellipta is your daily inhaler that keeps your airways calm and open. Your rescue inhaler is a different thing, for emergencies. Keep both, and know which is which.
How Breo Ellipta works
In asthma and COPD, the airways become inflamed and tight, which makes breathing harder.
The steroid in Breo Ellipta settles that inflammation over time, so the airways are less swollen and twitchy. The second medicine relaxes the muscle around the airways, holding them open.
Because the steroid works gradually, Breo Ellipta builds its benefit over days and weeks of daily use. That is why it is taken every day, and why it cannot rescue you from a sudden attack.
Your dose, and how to use the Ellipta inhaler
Breo Ellipta is one inhalation, once a day, at about the same time each day. Never use more than one dose in 24 hours. Your doctor picks your strength and your pharmacist checks it. This page will not tell you what dose to take.
Using the inhaler correctly is the most important part, because if the technique is wrong, the medicine never reaches your lungs. Here are the steps. Check the dose counter, if it reads zero the inhaler is empty. Do not shake the inhaler, ever. Slide the cover down until you hear a click, which loads one dose. Breathe all the way out, away from the inhaler. Put your lips around the mouthpiece and seal them, without covering the air vents. Breathe in quickly and deeply through your mouth. Take the inhaler away and hold your breath for about 5 seconds. Breathe out slowly, away from the inhaler. Slide the cover closed.
Two things people often get wrong. The breath in must be quick and deep, not slow and gentle, because this kind of inhaler needs a fast pull to carry the powder down. And after every dose, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out, do not swallow. That rinse prevents a mouth infection from the steroid.
Timing, and what to do if you miss a dose
Take Breo Ellipta once a day, at about the same time each day. Many people tie it to a morning routine so it is not forgotten.
Using it every day is what keeps your lungs steady. Skipped days let inflammation creep back.
If you miss a dose:
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember that day.
- If a full day has passed and your next dose is due, just take that next dose. Skip the missed one.
- Never take two doses in one day to catch up.
- If you find yourself reaching for your rescue inhaler often, tell your doctor. It can mean your maintenance treatment needs a look.
Side effects, what is normal and what is not
Common, and usually mild.
- A cold-like feeling, a stuffy nose, or a sore throat.
- A headache.
- A hoarse voice. Rinsing and spitting after each dose helps with this.
Call your doctor if you notice:
- White patches in your mouth or throat, which can be a yeast infection from the steroid.
- A hoarse voice that does not settle.
- A fast or pounding heartbeat.
- Eye pain or changes in your vision, with long-term use.
- Bone pain, with long-term use.
Go to the emergency room, and use your rescue inhaler, if:
- Your breathing or wheezing suddenly gets worse right after a dose. This is rare, but if it happens, use your rescue inhaler and get help.
- You have a severe allergic reaction, with swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, hives, or trouble breathing.
- You have an asthma or COPD attack that your rescue inhaler is not controlling.
What to be careful with
The Ellipta inhaler contains a small amount of lactose, which comes from milk. If you have a severe allergy to milk protein, tell your doctor, because Breo Ellipta may not be right for you.
Do not use another long-acting inhaler of the same family at the same time as Breo Ellipta. If you are unsure whether an inhaler you have is one of those, ask your pharmacist before using both.
Some medicines interact. Strong antifungal medicines can raise the steroid level in your body, and certain blood pressure medicines called beta blockers can work against the airway-opening part of Breo. Your doctor can manage these, but only if they know.
The simple rule: tell every doctor and every pharmacist all the medicines, inhalers, and supplements you use. At Fairview, we check every new prescription against your list.
What it costs
The cost is different for every person, because every insurance plan is different.
Here is the honest way to find your price. If you pay cash, call Fairview and we will give you a price for your situation. If you have private insurance, there may be a coupon or a savings program from the maker of the drug that helps lower your cost, and we will check if one is available for you. The best step is to let a pharmacist look at your plan. We do this for every patient.
Do not let cost make you skip doses. Call us first. There is almost always something we can do.
There is also a generic version of many medicines. The generic is the same medicine. Ask your pharmacist if a generic is a good fit for you.
What should be checked
Breo Ellipta works best alongside some regular checks, especially with long-term use.
Your doctor should check, now and then:
- How well your breathing is controlled, and how often you reach for your rescue inhaler.
- Your inhaler technique, since it drifts over time for almost everyone.
- Your mouth for any sign of a yeast infection.
- With long-term use, your bone health and your eyes.
Your pharmacist can help by:
- Watching you use the inhaler and correcting any technique slips.
- Checking every new medicine against Breo Ellipta.
- Reminding you when it is time to replace the inhaler.
- Helping with cost and assistance programs.
At Fairview, we are glad to watch you use your Ellipta inhaler and fix any small mistakes. It takes two minutes and it is the difference between medicine reaching your lungs or not. Just ask.
Special situations
It is not a rescue inhaler.
This is the one to remember. Breo Ellipta is a daily maintenance inhaler. It does not work fast and it cannot stop a sudden attack. Always keep your separate rescue inhaler, usually albuterol, with you. If you are ever unsure which of your inhalers is the rescue one, ask your pharmacist to label them clearly.
When to replace the inhaler.
An Ellipta inhaler holds 30 doses, about a month. Replace it when the dose counter reads zero, or 6 weeks after you first opened the foil tray, whichever comes first. Store it at room temperature, away from moisture, and do not refrigerate it.
Rinse and spit, every time.
The steroid in Breo can cause a yeast infection in the mouth and throat. Rinsing your mouth with water and spitting it out after every single dose prevents this. It is a small habit that matters.
Pneumonia, for COPD patients.
In people with COPD, inhaled steroids slightly raise the chance of pneumonia. This does not mean you should not use Breo, the benefits are real, but it is a reason to take any new fever, cough, or chest congestion seriously and call your doctor.
Cost should never be the reason you stop.
There is no generic version of this inhaler yet, but there is a manufacturer savings program and an assistance program for people who qualify. If cost is a worry, call Fairview before you ever skip doses.
How Fairview helps Breo Ellipta patients
When you fill Breo Ellipta at Fairview, here is what you get. This is normal care for us.
At your first fill:
- We walk through the Ellipta technique with you, step by step.
- We make sure you know which inhaler is your rescue inhaler.
- We check all your medicines and supplements against Breo.
- We talk through cost and help you find any program you qualify for.
At every refill:
- We are happy to recheck your technique any time.
- We check your file for any new medicines.
- We help you time your refill so you never run out.
On our own, without being asked:
- If a refill is running late, we call you.
- If we see a medicine that does not mix with Breo, we call your doctor.
- We check your cost at every fill to keep it as low as possible.
Questions people ask about Breo Ellipta
No. Breo Ellipta is not a rescue inhaler. It works gradually and will not help a sudden attack. Always keep a separate rescue inhaler, usually albuterol, with you for emergencies.
Related guides
Have a question about your Breo Ellipta? Ask a pharmacist you can trust.
Good breathing comes down to two habits: using your daily inhaler every day, and keeping your rescue inhaler close. Fairview is here to make both easy, including a two minute technique check any time you stop in. If something made you wonder, ask us.