A Simple Guide on How to Prime Breo Ellipta Before First Use
Breo Ellipta is a popular inhaler prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Millions of Americans rely on it daily to help them breathe easier. If you are prescribed Breo Ellipta for the first time, you may wonder how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know in a simple and clear way.
Understanding how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use is important. It ensures your inhaler is ready to deliver the correct dose. This step is simple, but many new users skip or misunderstand it. Following the proper steps helps you get the full benefit of your medication.
What Is Breo Ellipta?
Breo Ellipta is a dry powder inhaler that contains two medications: fluticasone furoate (a corticosteroid) and vilanterol (a long-acting beta agonist). Together, these drugs help to reduce inflammation and relax the muscles in your airways. The result is easier breathing and fewer symptoms.
This inhaler is used once a day. It’s prescribed for adults with COPD and for people 18 and older with asthma. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions exactly when using Breo Ellipta.
Before you start using it, you need to know how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use. This step gets your inhaler ready for use and ensures accurate medication delivery.
Why Priming Matters
Priming is a step you take before using certain inhalers. It helps ensure the medicine is correctly dispensed from the start. Some inhalers need to be primed by spraying out a few doses before actual use. Others, like Breo Ellipta, have a different process.
Learning how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use is key because this device is designed to prepare itself when you open the cover for the first time. But there are specific things to know so you don’t waste doses.
Priming the inhaler properly means you’ll start getting the full benefit of the medication from the very first dose.
What Makes Breo Ellipta Different?
Unlike some older inhalers, Breo Ellipta does not require shaking or multiple sprays. It’s a dry powder inhaler that automatically prepares a dose when you open the cover.
That’s why understanding how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use is a bit different from other inhalers. The simplicity of its design makes it easier for most users, but it also means the priming process can be misunderstood if not clearly explained.
Step-by-Step: How to Prime Breo Ellipta Before First Use
Now, let’s go over exactly how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use. These steps should be followed the moment you remove the inhaler from its packaging.
Step 1: Remove the Inhaler from the Tray
Start by taking your Breo Ellipta inhaler out of the sealed foil tray. Once the tray is open, the inhaler is officially activated. It’s important to note the tray should not be opened until you’re ready to begin daily use.
The inhaler has a built-in moisture protection seal. Once that seal is broken, the device will start counting down the number of doses. The dose counter is located on the front of the device.
Step 2: Look at the Dose Counter
The dose counter shows how many doses remain. When you open the tray for the first time, the counter should read “30” or “14,” depending on the prescribed pack. This shows the total number of available doses.
Keep your eye on the counter. It automatically reduces by one each time you open the cover, as that’s when the device loads a dose.
Understanding how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use means knowing that opening the cover is a critical step. If you open and close it without inhaling, a dose will be wasted.
Step 3: Open the Cover Fully
When you slide the cover down until you hear a click, the inhaler loads one dose automatically. This is the core of how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use. No button-pushing or shaking is needed.
If you are not ready to inhale the dose immediately, do not open the cover. Doing so will result in a lost dose. Once opened, the powder is exposed, and it should be inhaled right away.
Step 4: Breathe Out (But Not Into the Device)
Before you bring the inhaler to your mouth, breathe out gently. Make sure you do not breathe into the mouthpiece. Moisture from your breath can affect the powder.
Position the inhaler with the mouthpiece facing toward you. This step is part of the breathing technique, not priming, but it’s still helpful to understand for proper use.
Step 5: Inhale the Dose
Place the mouthpiece between your lips. Take a long, steady, and deep breath through your mouth. Hold your breath for about three to four seconds, or as long as comfortable.
After inhaling, close the cover. This resets the inhaler for the next dose. This part is not required for how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use, but it’s good practice to get familiar with the full routine.
What Not to Do During Priming
If you’re learning how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use, there are a few common mistakes to avoid:
- Do not open and close the cover more than once unless you are taking the medication.
- Do not shake the device. It’s a dry powder inhaler, so shaking is not needed.
- Do not breathe into the mouthpiece. Moisture can affect the medicine.
- Do not remove or tamper with the internal parts.
Priming the device is built into the first opening of the cover. That single motion loads the dose. Nothing more is needed.
Does Breo Ellipta Need to Be Primed Again?
Once you’ve completed the initial setup, no additional priming is needed. The device primes itself each time you open the cover. That means learning how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use is a one-time step.
Just remember to always take the dose after opening the cover. If you open and close it without inhaling, that dose will be wasted. The counter will still go down.
If you skip a day, you do not need to re-prime. The device is always ready as long as you use it properly.
Storage Tips After Priming
After learning how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use, make sure you store the device correctly. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen cabinet where moisture may build up.
Once the foil tray is opened, the device should be used within six weeks. Always note the date when you first open the tray and mark your calendar.
Traveling with Breo Ellipta
If you are traveling, especially in the United States during hot or cold seasons, keep the inhaler in your carry-on bag. Do not leave it in a hot car or exposed to freezing temperatures.
No special packaging is needed after you’ve learned how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use, but proper storage remains key to effectiveness.
When to Replace Your Inhaler
Once the dose counter reaches “0,” it’s time to discard the inhaler. It will no longer dispense medication. Even if it looks full, the internal dose system will not release more powder.
The inhaler will click when you try to open it, but no dose will be loaded. Do not attempt to use a device after the counter shows zero.
Understanding how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use also means knowing when your device is finished and needs replacement.
Common Questions and Answers
What happens if I open the cover and don’t use it?
That dose is wasted. The device is designed to load one dose when the cover is opened. You cannot reuse or reload the same dose. Always inhale the medicine immediately after opening.
Can I test the inhaler to make sure it works?
There is no need to test spray or manually prime. Just opening the cover fully prepares a dose. That’s why it’s important to follow the correct steps for how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use.
What if I’m unsure if I took a dose?
Check the counter. If it went down by one, then a dose was prepared. If you are unsure whether you inhaled it properly, do not take a second dose. Wait until the next scheduled dose unless your doctor says otherwise.
Final Tips on How to Prime Breo Ellipta Before First Use
- Open the tray only when ready to begin treatment.
- Slide the cover fully open until it clicks—this primes the inhaler.
- Inhale immediately after opening the cover.
- Do not open the cover unless you are ready to use the dose.
- Keep track of the dose counter and discard the device at “0.”
Conclusion
Knowing how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use is essential for anyone beginning this type of treatment. Fortunately, the process is built into the design and very simple. Once you open the cover for the first time, the inhaler is ready. Just follow the right steps, use it correctly every day, and store it properly.
By mastering how to prime Breo Ellipta before first use, you can begin your treatment with confidence and avoid common mistakes. This helps ensure you receive the full benefit of your medication from the very first day. If you ever have questions, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. But with this guide, you now have everything you need to start breathing easier with Breo Ellipta.