fluticasone furoate + vilanterol trifenatate at a glance
Medicine class
Inhaled corticosteroid plus long-acting beta₂-agonist
Licensed use
Regular asthma treatment in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over
Device
Breath-activated, pre-dispensed dry-powder Ellipta inhaler
Sudden symptoms
Use the prescribed quick-acting reliever, not this inhaler
What is fluticasone furoate + vilanterol trifenatate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Regular asthma treatment in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over when an inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta₂-agonist combination is appropriate.
Asthma not adequately controlled with an inhaled corticosteroid and an as-needed short-acting bronchodilator, or already controlled with separate corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilator treatment.
This presentation is not licensed for COPD.
How does fluticasone furoate + vilanterol trifenatate work?
Fluticasone furoate suppresses inflammation inside airway cells. Vilanterol stimulates beta₂ receptors, increasing cyclic AMP and relaxing airway muscles. Together they address airway inflammation and narrowing.
fluticasone furoate + vilanterol trifenatate preparations and strengths
Inhaled preparation
Route: Inhaled
Strengths: 92 micrograms + 22 micrograms, 184 micrograms + 22 micrograms
How to take fluticasone furoate + vilanterol trifenatate
Use only by oral inhalation and follow the instructions supplied with the inhaler.
Open the cover only when ready to inhale; sliding it down until it clicks prepares the medicine.
Breathe out away from the device. Seal your lips around the mouthpiece without blocking the vents, then take one long, steady, deep breath.
Hold your breath briefly if comfortable, remove the inhaler and breathe out gently.
Close the cover, then rinse your mouth with water and spit it out.
Do not shake the inhaler or breathe into it. Clean the mouthpiece with a dry tissue.
fluticasone furoate + vilanterol trifenatate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache or cold-like nose and throat symptoms
- Oral or throat thrush
- Sore throat, hoarse voice or cough
- Bronchitis, sinus or other respiratory infections
- Pneumonia
- Back, joint or abdominal pain
- Muscle spasms or fever
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden worsening of wheeze or breathlessness immediately after inhalation
- Anaphylaxis or angioedema, including swelling and severe breathing difficulty
- Possible pneumonia symptoms such as fever, chills, changed mucus, worsening cough or breathing
- Palpitations, marked fast heartbeat or rhythm disturbance
- Blurred vision or other new visual disturbance
- Features of systemic corticosteroid exposure, including adrenal suppression, particularly with prolonged or increased systemic exposure
fluticasone furoate + vilanterol trifenatate in pregnancy
Data for this exact combination in pregnancy are limited, so its expected benefit and possible fetal risk should be reviewed with the prescriber. Good asthma control remains important during pregnancy; do not stop prescribed inhaled treatment without medical advice.
fluticasone furoate + vilanterol trifenatate while breastfeeding
There is insufficient information about this exact combination in human milk. Inhaled fluticasone alone is considered compatible with breastfeeding because infant exposure is expected to be very low, but vilanterol-specific evidence is limited; discuss the combined inhaler with the prescriber.
fluticasone furoate + vilanterol trifenatate interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all inhaled and non-inhaled treatments. Important examples include:
Beta-blockers, including metoprolol
They may oppose vilanterol's bronchodilator effect and worsen bronchospasm.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, including ketoconazole, ritonavir and cobicistat
They can increase exposure to both components and raise the risk of systemic corticosteroid or beta₂-agonist effects.
Other long-acting beta₂-agonists or combination inhalers containing one
Concurrent use can increase beta₂-agonist adverse effects and should be avoided.
Common questions about fluticasone furoate + vilanterol trifenatate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is this a steroid inhaler?
It contains both an inhaled corticosteroid, fluticasone furoate, and a long-acting bronchodilator, vilanterol.
Can it stop an asthma attack?
No. It is not a quick-acting reliever; sudden symptoms require the prescribed fast-acting inhaler.
Why should I rinse my mouth afterwards?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.