If you have a certain kind of lung condition, your doctor might suggest Breo Ellipta as a treatment option for you.

Breo Ellipta is a prescription drug used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in adults.

Breo Ellipta comes as a powder that you inhale into your lungs using the Ellipta inhaler. It has two active ingredients: fluticasone and vilanterol. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

If you and your doctor determine Breo Ellipta is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

For more information about Breo Ellipta, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article on the drug.

Like other drugs, Breo Ellipta can cause mild to serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Breo Ellipta in studies. These side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat.

More common side effects in people using Breo Ellipta for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include:

More common side effects in people using Breo Ellipta for asthma include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Breo Ellipta include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Breo Ellipta unless your doctor recommends it.

Breo Ellipta may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

It’s possible to have serious side effects from Breo Ellipta, but they’re usually rare. Serious side effects that have been reported with Breo Ellipta include:

If you develop serious side effects while using Breo Ellipta, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Breo Ellipta, visit MedWatch.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Breo Ellipta’s side effects.

Does stopping Breo Ellipta treatment cause withdrawal symptoms?

No, stopping treatment with Breo Ellipta shouldn’t cause withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that happen when you stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on.)

But it’s important to note that fluticasone, one of the active ingredients* in Breo Ellipta, is a corticosteroid. Suddenly stopping treatment with a corticosteroid can cause a condition called adrenal insufficiency. With this condition, your body doesn’t make enough cortisol (a hormone that helps you manage stress). But adrenal insufficiency after stopping Breo Ellipta treatment is rare.

If you have other questions about stopping your Breo Ellipta treatment, talk with your doctor.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Is anxiety a side effect of Breo Ellipta?

No. Breo Ellipta should not cause anxiety. This was not a side effect reported in Breo Ellipta’s studies.

But Breo Ellipta can cause a fast heart rate or heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is skipping a beat or adding an extra beat).

For some people, these side effects may feel like symptoms of certain anxiety disorders.

If you have heart-related side effects while using Breo Ellipta, talk with your doctor. They can determine whether this medication is right for you.

Will Breo Ellipta cause weight gain?

No, Breo Ellipta isn’t known to cause weight gain. This wasn’t reported as a side effect in studies of the drug.

Certain drugs that treat asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cause weight gain. For example, corticosteroids that you swallow, such as prednisone (Rayos), may cause weight gain. This is more likely to occur if you take corticosteroids long term.

Fluticasone, one of the active ingredients in Breo Ellipta, is a corticosteroid that you inhale. Inhaled corticosteroids should not cause weight gain like those that you swallow.

If you’re concerned about weight changes during your Breo Ellipta treatment, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects Breo Ellipta may cause.

Increased risk of pneumonia

Using Breo Ellipta can raise your risk of pneumonia. This was one of the more common side effects in studies of this medication for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pneumonia was also reported in studies of Breo Ellipta for treating asthma, but it wasn’t common.

Symptoms of pneumonia can include:

  • shortness of breath
  • fever
  • chills
  • cough that may produce mucus
  • chest pain that may worsen when you breathe or cough
  • headache
  • fatigue (low energy)

What might help

If you’re using Breo Ellipta to treat COPD, your doctor may monitor you for signs of pneumonia during treatment. This is because certain symptoms of pneumonia, such as shortness of breath, cough, or fatigue, are also similar to symptoms of a COPD flare-up.

Let your doctor know immediately if you have symptoms of pneumonia. They can order an X-ray of your chest or certain lab tests to determine whether you have pneumonia.

If they confirm you have pneumonia, they’ll likely prescribe antibiotics to treat it. They may also have you temporarily stop your Breo Ellipta treatment until your pneumonia is treated.

Fungal infection in your mouth or throat

Using Breo Ellipta may cause a fungal infection in your mouth or throat. This kind of infection is also called thrush.

Thrush was one of the more common side effects reported in studies of Breo Ellipta for treating COPD and asthma.

Thrush can occur when fluticasone, one of the active ingredients* in Breo Ellipta, causes an overgrowth of the small amount of fungus (yeast) that’s naturally present in your mouth.

Symptoms of thrush can include:

  • trouble swallowing or pain when swallowing
  • loss of taste or bad taste in your mouth
  • burning feeling or soreness in the mouth
  • white or yellow patches on your tongue, gums, inner cheeks, tonsils, or lips

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

What might help

To reduce your risk of thrush, rinse your mouth with water and spit the water out after each dose of Breo Ellipta.

If you develop symptoms of thrush while using Breo Ellipta, talk with your doctor. If they determine you have a fungal infection, they’ll likely prescribe a treatment for it. Examples of treatment include:

  • a mouthwash that you swish in your mouth or gargle in your throat
  • a tablet that you swallow, such as fluconazole (Diflucan)

If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend that you temporarily stop your Breo Ellipta treatment until your infection is cleared.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Breo Ellipta can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine that you swallow, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Breo Ellipta, they’ll decide whether you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Breo Ellipta, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Breo Ellipta treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you had inhaled when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Breo Ellipta affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Breo Ellipta may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Breo Ellipta is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Breo Ellipta. Factors to consider include those described below.

Heart conditions. Breo Ellipta can cause heart-related side effects, such as a fast or irregular heart rate and high blood pressure. If you already have a heart-related condition, such as heart failure or high blood pressure, Breo Ellipta may worsen it.

If you have any heart conditions, talk with your doctor before starting Breo Ellipta treatment. They’ll let you know whether this medication is right for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Breo Ellipta or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Breo Ellipta. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Osteoporosis. Using Breo Ellipta long term could cause decreased bone density (weakened bones). If you have osteoporosis, using this medication could make your condition worse.

If you have osteoporosis, tell your doctor before you start using Breo Ellipta. They’ll decide whether this medication is safe for you. If they do prescribe Breo Ellipta, they may monitor your bone health more closely while you’re using this drug.

Eye problems. Using Breo Ellipta may cause eye problems, such as glaucoma and cataracts. If you already have these conditions, Breo Ellipta may worsen them. If you have any eye problems, talk with your doctor before starting Breo Ellipta treatment. They’ll determine whether this drug is safe for you.

Increased risk of infection. Using Breo Ellipta can increase your risk of infection. If your immune system is weakened or you already have a higher risk of infection, this drug can raise your risk even more. If you have an infection or symptoms of infection before you start using Breo Ellipta, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely treat your infection before prescribing Breo Ellipta for you.

Diabetes. Breo Ellipta may cause high blood sugar. If you have diabetes, this drug may make your condition worse. Talk with your doctor before starting Breo Ellipta treatment. They’ll likely recommend that you monitor your blood sugar more closely while using this medication.

Liver problems. Your body breaks down Breo Ellipta through your liver. If you have liver problems, your body may not be able to break down the drug properly. This could cause the Breo Ellipta level to build up in your body, which may raise your risk of side effects.

If you have liver problems, tell your doctor before Breo Ellipta treatment. Depending on how severe your condition is, they may prescribe a lower dosage of Breo Ellipta for you. They’ll also monitor you more closely for side effects from this drug.

Alcohol and Breo Ellipta

There is no known interaction between alcohol and Breo Ellipta. But drinking large amounts of alcohol can weaken your immune system over time. This can increase your risk of infection, including pneumonia.

Because Breo Ellipta can also raise your risk of infection (including pneumonia), it may be best to avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol while using this medication.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much (if any) is safe to drink with your condition and treatment plan.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Breo Ellipta

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Breo Ellipta during pregnancy. The drug’s use during pregnancy hasn’t been studied.

It’s important to note that having untreated asthma (which Breo Ellipta treats) during pregnancy can lead to issues such as premature birth or low birth weight.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Breo Ellipta.

If your doctor does prescribe Breo Ellipta for you, they may have you stop using it during the later stages of your pregnancy. This is because vilanterol, one of the active ingredients* in Breo Ellipta, can affect uterine contractions during delivery. In this case, they’ll prescribe a different treatment for your condition.

It’s not known whether Breo Ellipta is safe to use while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using Breo Ellipta.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

If you still have questions about the possible side effects of Breo Ellipta, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions you may want to ask include:

  • Does my risk of thrush depend on the dosage I’m prescribed?
  • Can Breo Ellipta make me sleepy?
  • Do I have a higher risk of side effects if I have kidney problems?
  • Is my risk of pneumonia higher when I first start treatment?

To learn more about Breo Ellipta, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.