Airsupra and Ellipta Device Compatibility
No, Airsupra cannot be taken with an Ellipta device—these are two completely different products that are not interchangeable. Airsupra is a specific FDA-approved combination medication (albuterol/budesonide) delivered through its own proprietary metered-dose inhaler (MDI), while Ellipta is a dry powder inhaler (DPI) device used exclusively for other medications like Breo (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol).
Critical Distinction Between Products
Airsupra is not the same as Breo Ellipta, and the two should never be confused:
- Breo Ellipta contains fluticasone furoate and vilanterol delivered via the Ellipta dry powder inhaler device 1
- The Ellipta device is specifically designed as a "light grey and pale blue plastic inhaler containing 2 foil blister strips" that delivers medication as a dry powder 1
- Breo Ellipta is administered as one inhalation once daily through the Ellipta device 1
Device-Specific Characteristics
The Ellipta device has unique operational requirements that make it incompatible with other medications:
- Dry powder inhalers like Ellipta do not require spacers, unlike metered-dose inhalers 2
- The Ellipta requires rapid (60 L/min or 1-2 seconds) deep inhalation for proper drug delivery 3
- Patients must generate sufficient inspiratory flow to activate the inhaler—most children under 4 years cannot generate adequate flow 3
- The Ellipta device delivers medication through breath-activation of pre-loaded blister strips containing specific drug formulations 1
Why Medications Cannot Be Interchanged Between Devices
Each inhaler device is engineered for specific drug formulations and cannot accommodate other medications:
- Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) use propellants to deliver medication and require coordination between actuation and slow (30 L/min or 3-5 seconds) deep inhalation 3
- MDIs benefit from spacer devices to improve drug delivery to the lungs, while DPIs like Ellipta do not use spacers 3, 2
- The Ellipta device contains pre-packaged medication in blister strips that cannot be replaced or substituted with other drugs 1
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Never attempt to use medications in devices other than those specifically designed and FDA-approved for that medication. Each combination of drug and device undergoes rigorous testing to ensure proper dosing, and using the wrong device could result in inadequate treatment, overdose, or complete treatment failure 1.