Relvar Ellipta

NHS Senior Clinical Pharmacist, Irsalan Ahmed (MPharm) provides a simple explanation of the medication below:

'Relvar Ellipta can be used to reduce symptoms associated with asthma +/- COPD to help reduce frequency of flare-ups.'.

If you think Relvar Ellipta is a treatment that can help you, start an online consultation now for a registered prescriber to review. If treatment is deemed suitable, they can prescribe it, and we can deliver it to you from the comfort of your own home with a range of convenient delivery and payment options for you to choose from. If you have any questions about a medication, you should always consult your doctor with any questions prior to starting treatment, to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.

Relvar Ellipta is a medicine that is used to treat severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

For more information on the prescription medication patients should refer to the Relvar Ellipta patient information leaflet.

When treating asthma, Relvar Ellipta helps to prevent attacks of breathlessness, and when treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it works to reduce the number of flare-ups. The inhaler is available in two different doses; the lower one is suitable for both illnesses, but the higher one must only be used for asthma and not COPD.

The active ingredients in the medication help the airways in the lungs to stay open, making it easier for air to get in and out and making it easier for the person to breathe normally. The medication also contains corticosteroids which reduce swelling and irritation.

Asthma and COPD can be debilitating illnesses that hinder daily life, while onset attacks of pain or breathlessness can be painful as well as worrying.

Taking Relvar Ellipta will help manage these conditions, with effects of the active ingredients lasting for 24 hours.

It should be noted however, that this medication is a preventative measure and not a quick fix. It will not work in the event of an attack of breathlessness or wheeziness, so if you do have one then you will need to instead use a fast-acting “rescue” inhaler, which you should always have with you.

Relvar Ellipta is a prescription-only medication. Always follow the advice of your doctor and read the patient information leaflet provided in the medication packet.

Your doctor or nurse should show you how to properly use your inhaler before starting on this medication. The inhaler has a mouthpiece at the top, a cover for when it’s not in use and a counter on the front to let you know how many doses are remaining. You do not need to shake the inhaler before use, as it’s already been designed to release the correct amount of medication.

To administer a dose, hold the inhaler upright and slide the cover open until you hear a click. Breathe out as far as is comfortable, then immediately place the inhaler in your mouth and close your lips around it.

Breathe in deeply and steadily and then hold your breath for at least a few seconds. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly. Then replace the mouthpiece cover after use and clean with a dry tissue as required. After use, it’s also a good idea to rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth, as leftover residue from the medication can leave you with a strange taste, and can also lead to thrush of the mouth or hoarseness.

Relvar Ellipta dosage

Relvar Ellipta contains the active ingredients fluticasone furoate and vilanterol, available in strengths of either 92/22 micrograms or 184/22 micrograms respectively, per delivered dose.

The recommended dose for asthma or COPD is one inhalation once a day, taken at the same time (as the medicine lasts for 24 hours). If your asthma is very severe, then your doctor may prescribe you the higher strength inhaler, however this should not be used to treat COPD. Always follow the advice of your doctor and don’t take a different dose unless specifically told to.

Each time you use your inhaler, the dose indicator will count down so that when the numbers get low, you know to see your doctor to get a new one.

If you forget to use your Relvar Ellipta then you should skip the forgotten dose and move straight onto the next one. Don’t double up on your dose to make up for a missed one.

If you take more Relvar Ellipta than you should, then contact your doctor or pharmacist. Side effects of overdose include your heart beating faster than usual, feeling shaky, or developing a headache.

Before taking Relvar Ellipta, you should always first consult your doctor. You should not take Relvar Ellipta if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are allergic to fluticasone furoate, vilanterol or any other ingredients of this medicine

Your prescription of Relvar Ellipta may also be affected by a number of other factors, so you should make your doctor aware if any of the following apply:

• if you have liver disease
• if you have heart problems or high blood pressure
• if you have tuberculosis (TB) of the lung, or any long-standing or untreated infections
• if you have ever been told you have diabetes or high blood sugar
• if you have thyroid gland problems
• if you have low potassium in your blood
• if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances

Like many medications with active ingredients, Relvar Ellipta can affect or be affected by other medicines. Particular medications that you may experience this with include the following:

• beta-blockers, used to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition
• ketoconazole, to treat fungal infections
• ritonavir or cobicistat, to treat HIV infections
• long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists, such as salmeterol

If you are taking any of the above medications, then you should make your doctor aware so that they can advise whether or not Relvar Ellipta will be the best course of action for you.

Bear in mind that Relvar Ellipta is an ongoing treatment and should not be relied upon in the event of an attack of breathlessness. You should therefore always have a fast-acting “rescue” inhaler with you, for use in these circumstances.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding then you should consult your doctor before starting this medication, as there is limited knowledge about its effects on breast milk and they therefore may decide that another treatment is more appropriate.

The most common side effects of using Relvar Ellipta include:

• Headache
• Cold or flu
• sore, raised patches in the mouth or throat caused by a fungal infection
• inflammation of the lungs (bronchitis)
• infection of the nose, sinuses or throat
• pain and irritation in the back of the mouth and throat
• itchy, runny or blocked nose
• Cough
• voice disorders
• weakening of the bones, joint pain
• stomach pain
• back pain
• high temperature (fever)
• muscle spasms

If you do experience one or more of these side effects and they persist or worsen, then inform your doctor right away. You should also contact your doctor if you notice any serious side effects such as worsening of breathing ability, fainting or skin reactions.

You can safely buy Relvar Ellipta online at UK Meds. You will first need to have an online consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Relvar Ellipta is the right medication for your medical condition.