Resources · Managing Your Condition
Puffers & Inhalers

Ellipta

Dry-powder blister inhaler — one steady breath.

For patients & health professionals
Easyhaler Managing Your Condition · 19 of 26 Genuair
Authorship & review
Dr Sean James Ledger, BSc Physio (Hons) MSc PhD FHEA
Director and Principal Physiotherapist
Ahpra registration PHY0002298174
Version
1.1
Last updated
6 September 2026
Next review
6 September 2027
Every guide on this site is reviewed at least once a year, and sooner when the evidence changes.
How these guides are written and reviewed →
In plain language

An Ellipta is a flat dry-powder inhaler that loads a dose simply by sliding the cover down until it clicks. Most Ellipta medicines are taken just once a day. You then take one long, steady, deep breath in — there is nothing to shake or press.

Ellipta
Ellipta. Device shown for identification — your medicine and colour may differ.
This is a once-daily preventer, not a reliever

Breo (fluticasone furoate / vilanterol), Trelegy (fluticasone / umeclidinium / vilanterol), Anoro (umeclidinium / vilanterol) and Incruse (umeclidinium) are taken once a day, at the same time each day. Taking a second dose because you feel breathless is not safe and will not help — these are not rescue medicines. Keep your separate blue reliever with you and follow your written action plan.

Examples of this type

Different medicines come in this device. Common examples include:

Brand names are examples only and availability changes — always go by the name on your own inhaler and your prescriber's instructions.

How to use it — step by step

1
Slide to loadSlide the cover down until you hear a click. That loads one dose — do this only once, and do not shake the inhaler.
2
Breathe outBreathe out gently, away from the inhaler.
3
Seal your lipsPut the mouthpiece to your lips and seal them around it, keeping your fingers clear of the air vent.
4
One long breath inTake one long, steady, deep breath in. Remove the inhaler.
5
HoldHold your breath for about 6 seconds, then breathe out gently.
6
CloseSlide the cover up to cover the mouthpiece. Rinse your mouth after steroid-containing doses.

Getting the best from it

  • Open the cover once only — opening and closing without inhaling wastes a dose.1,2
  • Do not block the air vent with your fingers.
  • It is usually a once-daily preventer — take it at the same time each day.

Looking after your inhaler

Wipe the mouthpiece with a dry tissue if needed; keep dry. The counter shows doses left and turns red near the end.

Not sure your technique is right?

Most people lose some accuracy over time.3,4 We can check your inhaler technique at your appointment.

Getting your inhaler technique right →

Book an appointment

References & evidence base

  1. National Asthma Council Australia. Inhaler technique for people with asthma or COPD. Information paper for health professionals. Melbourne: National Asthma Council Australia, 2026.
  2. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Inhaler technique — device-specific checklists. Sydney: ACSQHC, 2020.

Further reading

References are numbered in citation order (Vancouver/BMJ style) and were current at the time of writing. Always follow the leaflet for your specific device and your prescriber's instructions.

How we treat this at the clinic

Everything starts with an assessment — your symptoms, breathing, exercise tolerance and daily function measured properly, so what follows is built on your lungs rather than an average.

Physiotherapy Assessment →
Important: This page is general information on inhaler technique, not a prescription or medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber and pharmacist, and the leaflet inside your specific medicine. If you are unsure your inhaler is working, or your breathing worsens, contact your care team — or in an emergency call 000. For a technique check, contact Inspire Clinic.

Corrections: If something on this page is wrong, out of date or unclear, we want to know. Email reception@inspireclinic.au with the page name and what you believe is incorrect. Substantive corrections are made promptly, and the guide’s version and last-updated date are changed to reflect it.