What drug class is Breo (Breo Ellipta) in?
Breo Ellipta is a combination inhaler. It contains an inhaled corticosteroid (fluticasone furoate) plus a long-acting beta2-agonist (vilanterol). Together, these are used to control symptoms and reduce flare-ups in chronic lung disease. [1]
Breo class by condition: COPD vs asthma
Breo is used for:
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease): as a maintenance treatment for patients who need both an inhaled steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator. [1]
- Asthma: as maintenance treatment for patients not adequately controlled with other therapies. [1]
What do “inhaled steroid + long-acting bronchodilator” mean in practice?
The drug-class components work in different ways:
- Fluticasone (the inhaled corticosteroid) helps reduce airway inflammation.
- Vilanterol (the long-acting beta2-agonist) helps keep airways open over a longer period. [1]
Is Breo considered a LABA/ICS combination?
Yes. Breo is commonly described as a LABA/ICS inhaler because it combines:
- LABA = long-acting beta2-agonist (vilanterol)
- ICS = inhaled corticosteroid (fluticasone furoate) [1]
Where does Breo fit compared with other inhaler classes?
Breo is different from:
- Rescue inhalers (typically short-acting beta2-agonists), which are for quick relief rather than maintenance.
- LABA-only inhalers, which do not include an inhaled steroid.
- LAMA inhalers (long-acting muscarinic antagonists), which are another class of long-acting bronchodilator not found in Breo. (The specific comparison depends on the alternative product.) [1]
Sources
[1] https://www.drugs.com/breo-ellipta.html