From the Guidelines
Breo Ellipta is a recommended treatment option for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as it reduces the risk of acute exacerbations and improves health-related quality of life, as supported by the American College of Chest Physicians and Canadian Thoracic Society guideline 1. The medication contains two active ingredients: fluticasone furoate (an inhaled corticosteroid) and vilanterol (a long-acting beta-agonist). Some key points to consider when using Breo Ellipta include:
- It is typically prescribed as one inhalation once daily for both asthma and COPD
- The medication works by reducing inflammation in the airways (fluticasone component) and relaxing airway muscles to improve breathing (vilanterol component)
- Patients should rinse their mouth after using Breo Ellipta to prevent thrush, a fungal infection
- Common side effects may include headache, throat irritation, and upper respiratory infections
- Breo Ellipta is not a rescue inhaler and should not be used for acute breathing problems; patients should always have a rescue inhaler available for sudden symptoms
- The medication should be used consistently every day for maximum effectiveness, even when symptoms improve, as stated in the study 1. It's also important to note that the American College of Chest Physicians and Canadian Thoracic Society guideline recommends maintenance combination inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting b2-agonist therapy, such as Breo Ellipta, compared with long-acting b2-agonist monotherapy to prevent acute exacerbations of COPD (Grade 1C) 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
BREO ELLIPTA (fluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation powder), for oral inhalation use
INDICATIONS AND USAGE BREO ELLIPTA is a combination of fluticasone furoate, a corticosteroid, and vilanterol, a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA), indicated for: • the maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). • the maintenance treatment of asthma in patients aged 5 years and older.
Breo Ellipta is a combination medication containing fluticasone furoate and vilanterol, used for the maintenance treatment of:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Asthma in patients aged 5 years and older. 2
From the Research
Breo Ellipta Overview
- Breo Ellipta is a combination inhaler containing fluticasone furoate and vilanterol, used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma 3, 4.
- The Ellipta device is a once-daily inhaled therapy that is popular among COPD patients, with extensive clinical trial and real-world data to support its use 3.
Efficacy and Safety
- Studies have shown that fluticasone furoate and vilanterol (FF/VI) combination therapy reduces the risk of severe exacerbations in asthma and COPD patients 3, 5.
- FF/VI has been compared to other ICS/LABA combinations, with similar efficacy and safety profiles 4, 6.
- The safety profile of FF/VI is good, with no excess cardiovascular effects or pneumonia, although comorbidities are frequent 7.
Patient Preferences
- Patients may have drug- and device-specific preferences that should be incorporated into therapeutic decision making 4.
- The Ellipta device is considered easy to use, with over 90% of subjects rating it as "easy to use" and demonstrating correct device technique initially and at 4 weeks 4.
- Patient-friendly features of FF/VI include once-daily dosing, flexibility of dose timing, and design/ease of use of the device 4.