Anoro Ellipta is a brand-name inhaler that’s prescribed for long-term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment. Anoro Ellipta contains the active ingredients vilanterol and umeclidinium.
Drug details
You’ll find key information about Anoro Ellipta below.
- Drug classes: long-acting beta-agonist and anticholinergic
- Drug form: inhaler that contains dry powder medication
- Generic available? no
- Prescription required? yes
- Controlled substance? no
- Year of FDA approval: 2013
Anoro Ellipta is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.
A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.
Anoro Ellipta can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Anoro Ellipta. These lists do not include all possible side effects.
For more information about the possible side effects of Anoro Ellipta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.
More common side effects
The more common side effects of Anoro Ellipta can include:
- upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold or sinus infections
- chest pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- pain in your arms or legs
- muscle spasms
- neck pain
Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Anoro Ellipta aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
- Paradoxical bronchospasm (a tightening of your airways; paradoxical means it’s unexpected, since this drug is meant to relax your airways). Symptoms can include:
- cough
- trouble breathing that doesn’t get better after you use your inhaler
- Heart problems. Symptoms can include:
- chest pain
- increased blood pressure
- fast heart rate
- irregular heart rhythm
- New or worsening urinary problems. Symptoms can include:
- pain when you urinate
- trouble urinating, including having urinary retention
- urinating a small amount
- urinating more often than usual
- New or worsening eye problems, including narrow-angle glaucoma. Symptoms can include:
- blurry vision
- increased pressure in your eyes
- pain in your eyes
- seeing halos
- Hypokalemia (low potassium levels), which can cause heart or muscle problems. Symptoms can include:
- muscle weakness
- muscle spasms
- heart palpitations
- irregular heart rhythm
- High blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous for people with diabetes. Symptoms can include:
- fatigue
- excessive thirst
- urinating more often than usual
- urinating more often at night
- Worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including exacerbations (flare-ups). Symptoms can include:
- shortness of breath, even when you’re at rest
- cough
- trouble breathing
- fatigue
- wheezing more than usual
- coughing up more mucus than usual
- Severe allergic reaction (see “Allergic reaction” below)
Side effect details
You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. Here’s some detail on some of the side effects this drug may cause.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Anoro Ellipta. It’s not known for sure how often people have an allergic reaction to Anoro Ellipta. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:
- angioedema (swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
- swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
- trouble breathing
These symptoms can occur in people who are allergic to Anoro Ellipta. They can also occur in people who’ve had serious allergic reactions to milk proteins in the past. This is because milk protein powder is used to make Anoro Ellipta. Your doctor won’t prescribe Anoro Ellipta if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to milk protein in the past. If you’re unsure if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction, talk to your doctor before using Anoro.
Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Upper respiratory infections
Upper respiratory infections are possible with Anoro Ellipta use. In clinical trials, these infections included pharyngitis (sore throat) and sinus infections.
Talk with your doctor about ways you can decrease your risk of upper respiratory infections. If you develop an upper respiratory infection while using Anoro, your doctor may recommend treatment. This could include antibiotics or over-the-counter medications for your symptoms.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.
Drug form and strength
Anoro Ellipta comes as an inhaler that contains medication in the form of dry powder.
The inhaler already has the medication inside. You won’t need to put it together or fill it with the drug, as is needed with some other inhalers.
Each inhalation (one puff) of Anoro gives you 62.5 mcg of umeclidinium and 25 mcg of vilanterol. Each inhaler contains a total of 30 puffs.
Dosage for COPD
The usual dosage of Anoro Ellipta to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one puff taken once per day.
For details about Anoro Ellipta’s dosage, you can refer to this article.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of Anoro Ellipta, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, just take your usual dose.
Do not take more than one dose (one puff) in a day. Taking more than one dose can increase your risk for serious side effects.
Medication reminders can help you make sure that you don’t miss a dose.
Will I need to use this drug long term?
Anoro Ellipta is meant to be used as a long-term treatment for COPD. If you and your doctor determine that Anoro is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
As with all medications, the cost of Anoro Ellipta can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.
Drug coupons: You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Anoro Ellipta. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
Financial assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Anoro Ellipta, help is available. GlaxoSmithKline LLC, the manufacturer of Anoro Ellipta, offers a program called GSK for You, which may offer savings options.
For details about the cost of Anoro Ellipta treatment, refer to this article. And to learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.
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You should use Anoro Ellipta according to your doctor or healthcare professional’s instructions.
When you first get your Anoro Ellipta prescription, your healthcare professional will explain how to use the inhaler.
The manufacturer of Anoro Ellipta provides step-by-step written instructions, video instructions, and answers to common questions that explain how to use your inhaler. Be sure to read all instructions before you start using Anoro Ellipta.
Keep in mind that when you open the cover of the inhaler, the device makes one dose of the drug available to inhale. If you open and close Anoro Ellipta’s cover without taking the dose, you will lose that dose.
When to take
You can use Anoro Ellipta at any time of day, but it should be used at the same time each day.
Medication reminders can help you make sure that you don’t miss a dose.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Anoro Ellipta to treat certain conditions. Anoro Ellipta is approved to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD is a group of chronic (long-term) conditions that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These conditions slowly damage your alveoli (small air sacs in your lungs). Alveoli damage makes it harder for you to breathe. For details about this condition, you can refer to our COPD hub.
There isn’t a cure for COPD available yet. However, treatment guidelines recommend long-term therapy to manage COPD symptoms and prevent flare-ups. This is called maintenance therapy. Research has found that maintenance therapy can:
- reduce how often you have exacerbations (flare-ups)
- reduce how often you have COPD symptoms
- make your COPD symptoms less severe
- improve your overall lung function (how well your lungs work) and your overall health
In clinical trials, Anoro Ellipta improved lung function more than either of the drug’s active ingredients (umeclidinium or vilanterol) when taken alone.
Improvement in lung function was measured using FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second). FEV1 is a measurement of how much air you can force out of your lungs in one second. Higher FEV1 values show better airflow through your lungs. Over 6 months of treatment, clinical trials found that FEV1 was increased more with Anoro Ellipta treatment than with either vilanterol or umeclidinium alone.
Anoro was also more effective for moderate to severe COPD maintenance treatment than Advair Diskus (salmeterol and fluticasone) and Spiriva (tiotropium bromide). In clinical studies, people’s FEV1 increased about two times more with Anoro treatment than with Advair Diskus treatment or Spiriva treatment.
Anoro Ellipta is only FDA-approved to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (See the “Anoro Ellipta for COPD” section above for more details.) Anoro is not FDA-approved for any other use.
Anoro Ellipta for asthma (not an appropriate use)
Anoro Ellipta isn’t FDA-approved to treat asthma. It’s not known if Anoro Ellipta is safe or effective for treating asthma.
Vilanterol, one of the active drugs in Anoro Ellipta, belongs to a group of drugs called long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs). Taking a LABA for asthma treatment without also taking an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) can increase your risk of asthma-related death.
If you have COPD and asthma and you’re considering taking Anoro Ellipta with an ICS, talk with your doctor about whether this is safe for you.
Note: Clinical trials haven’t found an increased risk of death when Anoro Ellipta is used to treat COPD.
Your doctor will also prescribe other medications to be used with Anoro Ellipta.
Most people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will also sometimes need to use a short-acting bronchodilator. Short-acting bronchodilators are used as rescue inhalers when you need quick relief of your COPD symptoms.
Examples of short-acting bronchodilators that can be prescribed along with Anoro Ellipta include:
- albuterol (ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA)
- levalbuterol (Xopenex, Xopenex HFA)
These drugs work faster in your lungs than Anoro Ellipta does. They help relax muscles in your airways, helping air move better inside your lungs. This can help improve your breathing when you feel short of breath. You should always have your rescue inhaler with you.
However, rescue inhalers aren’t meant to be used on a regular basis. If you’re using your rescue medication more often than usual, talk with your doctor. They may change your maintenance treatment (such as Anoro Ellipta) to help improve your COPD symptoms. This may help so that you can use your rescue inhaler less often.
Other drugs are available that can treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Some drugs may be better suited for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Anoro Ellipta, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.
Examples of other drugs that may be used as long-term treatment for COPD are listed below. These lists don’t include all the drugs used for this condition. Alternative drug treatments include:
- long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) such as:
- salmeterol (Serevent)
- formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist)
- arformoterol (Brovana)
- olodaterol (Striverdi)
- indacaterol (Arcapta)
- long-acting anticholinergics (LAMAs) such as:
- tiotropium (Spiriva)
- aclidinium (Tudorza Pressair)
- glycopyrrolate (Seebri)
- combination medications that contain two or more drugs. Some of these inhalers for COPD treatment contain an inhaled corticosteroid. Combination medications that are used as maintenance treatment for COPD include:
- budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort)
- fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair)
- fluticasone/vilanterol (Breo)
- tiotropium/olodaterol (Stiolto Respimat)
- fluticasone/vilanterol/umeclidinium (Trelegy Ellipta)
- glycopyrrolate/formoterol (Bevespi Aerosphere)
You may wonder how Anoro Ellipta compares to other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Anoro Ellipta and Trelegy Ellipta are alike and different.
Uses
Anoro Ellipta and Trelegy Ellipta are both FDA-approved as a long-term maintenance treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults.
Trelegy Ellipta is also approved for long-term maintenance treatment of asthma in adults.
Drug forms and administration
Anoro and Trelegy are different medications, but both drugs are inhaled using an Ellipta inhaler.
Anoro Ellipta contains two drugs: umeclidinium and vilanterol. Umeclidinium is a long-acting anticholinergic (LAMA). Vilanterol is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA).
Trelegy Ellipta also contains umeclidinium and vilanterol. In addition, it contains a third drug called fluticasone, which is a corticosteroid.
Anoro Ellipta and Trelegy Ellipta are each taken as one inhalation (puff) once per day.
Side effects and risks
Anoro Ellipta and Trelegy Ellipta each contain a LAMA and a LABA. Therefore, they can cause some similar side effects. Below are examples of these side effects.
More common side effects
These lists contain examples of more common side effects that can occur with Anoro Ellipta, with Trelegy Ellipta, or with both drugs (when taken individually).
- Can occur with Anoro Ellipta:
- chest pain
- pain in your arms or legs
- muscle spasms
- neck pain
- Can occur with Trelegy Ellipta:
- yeast infection in your mouth
- headache
- back pain
- joint pain
- urinary tract infection (UTI)
- gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
- mouth and throat pain
- cough
- atypical sense of taste
- a voice that sounds hoarse or shaky
- Can occur with both Anoro Ellipta and Trelegy Ellipta:
- upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold or sinus infection
- constipation
- diarrhea
Serious side effects
These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Anoro Ellipta, with Trelegy Ellipta, or with both drugs (when taken individually).
- Can occur with Anoro Ellipta:
- few unique serious side effects
- Can occur with Trelegy Ellipta:
- new infections or worsening of infections that you already have
- hormonal disorders, such as Cushing syndrome
- decreased bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis
- pneumonia
- Can occur with both Anoro Ellipta and Trelegy Ellipta:
- paradoxical bronchospasm
- new or worsening eye problems, including narrow-angle glaucoma
- new or worsening urinary problems, including urinary retention
- hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels)
- hypokalemia (low potassium levels)
- worsening of COPD, including exacerbations (flare-ups)
- severe allergic reactions
- heart problems, such as high blood pressure or irregular heart rhythm
Effectiveness
Treatment of COPD with Anoro Ellipta and Trelegy Ellipta has been directly compared in a clinical study.
In a 1-year clinical study, people with COPD who took Trelegy Ellipta had fewer moderate to severe exacerbations (flare-ups) than people who took Anoro Ellipta. People who took Trelegy Ellipta also had a lower risk of having an exacerbation during the study.
The study also tested how the two drugs improved quality of life in people with COPD. People were given a survey that asked them about their daily COPD symptoms. Lower scores indicated better COPD symptom management. Scores that decreased by at least four points were considered a meaningful improvement.
Surveys were given before people started either drug and after 1 year of treatment with either Anoro Ellipta or Trelegy Ellipta. Compared to people who took Anoro Ellipta, more people who took Trelegy Ellipta had their scores decrease by at least 4 points.
Cost
Anoro Ellipta and Trelegy Ellipta are both brand-name drugs. There are currently no generic forms of either drug. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics.
Anoro Ellipta may cost less than Trelegy Ellipta. The actual price you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.
Visit Optum Perks to find coupons and savings for Anoro Ellipta and Trelegy Ellipta.
In addition to Trelegy Ellipta (see above), other medications similar to Anoro Ellipta are also available. Here we look at how Anoro Ellipta and Advair Diskus are alike and different.
Uses
Anoro and Advair Diskus are both FDA-approved for use as a long-term maintenance treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults.
Advair Diskus is also approved to reduce the number of COPD exacerbations (flare-ups) in people with the condition. It’s approved for this purpose in people who’ve had flare-ups in the past.
Advair Diskus is also approved to treat asthma in adults and children (ages 4 years and older).
Note: There are two forms of Advair: Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. Only Advair Diskus is approved as a maintenance treatment for COPD.
Drug forms and administration
Anoro Ellipta and Advair Diskus both come as inhalers.
Anoro Ellipta contains two active drugs: umeclidinium (a long-acting anticholinergic) and vilanterol (a long-acting beta-agonist).
The active drugs in Advair Diskus are salmeterol (a long-acting beta-agonist) and fluticasone (an inhaled corticosteroid).
Advair comes in two forms: Advair HFA and Advair Diskus. Only Advair Diskus is FDA-approved as maintenance treatment for COPD.
Anoro Ellipta is taken as one inhalation (puff) once a day. Advair Diskus is taken as one inhalation twice a day.
Side effects and risks
Anoro Ellipta and Advair Diskus both contain a long-acting beta-agonist. Therefore, they can cause some similar side effects. Below are examples of these side effects.
More common side effects
These lists contain examples of more common side effects that can occur with Anoro Ellipta, with Advair Diskus, or with both drugs (when taken individually).
- Can occur with Anoro Ellipta:
- chest pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- muscle spasms
- pain in your arms or legs
- neck pain
- Can occur with Advair Diskus:
- yeast infection in your mouth
- irritation in your throat
- a voice that sounds hoarse or shaky
- headache
- muscle pain
- bone pain
- Can occur with both Anoro Ellipta and Advair Diskus:
- upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold or sinus infections
Serious side effects
These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Anoro Ellipta, with Advair Diskus, or with both drugs (when taken individually).
- Can occur with Anoro Ellipta:
- new or worsening urinary problems
- Can occur with Advair Diskus:
- new infections or worsening of infections that you already have
- hormonal disorders, such as Cushing syndrome
- decreased bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis
- eosinophilic conditions (problems with certain white blood cells), including Churg-Strauss syndrome
- pneumonia
- Can occur with both Anoro Ellipta and Advair Diskus:
- paradoxical bronchospasm
- new or worsening eye problems, including narrow-angle glaucoma
- hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels)
- hypokalemia (low potassium levels)
- worsening of COPD, including exacerbations (flare-ups)
- severe allergic reactions
- heart problems, such as high blood pressure or irregular heart rhythm
Effectiveness
Anoro Ellipta and Advair Diskus have different FDA-approved uses, but they’re both used as maintenance treatments for COPD.
Treatment of COPD with Anoro Ellipta and Advair Diskus has been directly compared in clinical studies.
In a
In another clinical study, which lasted 3 months, FEV1 was increased almost two times more with Anoro Ellipta treatment than with Advair Diskus treatment.
Costs
Anoro Ellipta and Advair are both brand-name drugs. There are currently no generic forms of either drug. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics.
Anoro Ellipta may cost more than Advair. The actual price you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.
Visit Optum Perks to find coupons and savings for Anoro Ellipta and Advair Diskus.
There’s no known interaction between Anoro Ellipta and alcohol.
However,
Chronic alcohol drinking can also damage immune system cells in your lungs. When this happens, the cells aren’t able to fight off infections as well.
Both of these effects caused by alcohol can increase your risk of lung infections (including pneumonia). They can also make your COPD symptoms worse.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to drink.
Anoro Ellipta can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.
Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.
Anoro Ellipta and other medications
Below are lists of medications that can interact with Anoro. These lists do not contain all the drugs that may interact with Anoro Ellipta.
Before taking Anoro Ellipta, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Anoro Ellipta and certain antibacterial and antifungal drugs
Taking Anoro Ellipta with certain antibacterial or antifungal drugs can increase levels of Anoro Ellipta in your body. This is because some of these medications can prevent Anoro Ellipta from being metabolized (broken down). This leads to increased levels of Anoro Ellipta, which can cause serious side effects.
Examples of certain antibacterial drugs that can increase Anoro Ellipta levels include:
- clarithromycin
- telithromycin
Examples of certain antifungals that can increase Anoro Ellipta levels include:
- itraconazole (Omnel, Sporanox, Tolsura)
- ketoconazole (Extina, Nizoral, Xolegel)
- voriconazole (Vfend)
If you need to take one of these antibacterial or antifungal drugs with Anoro Ellipta, your doctor may monitor you more closely than usual for side effects.
Anoro Ellipta and certain antiviral drugs
Taking Anoro Ellipta with certain antiviral drugs used to treat HIV or hepatitis can increase levels of Anoro Ellipta in your body. This can increase your risk for side effects.
Examples of antiviral drugs that can increase Anoro Ellipta levels if taken together include:
- ritonavir (Norvir)
- indinavir (Crixivan)
- lopinavir
- saquinavir (Invirase)
If you need to take one of these antivirals with Anoro Ellipta, your doctor may monitor you more closely than usual for side effects.
Anoro Ellipta and certain antidepressants
Taking Anoro Ellipta with certain antidepressants can increase your risk for irregular heart rhythms (heart rates that are too fast, too slow, or irregular). Irregular heart rhythms can lead to more serious heart problems, such as a heart attack.
Taking Anoro Ellipta with two specific types of antidepressants can cause irregular heart rhythms. These types of drugs are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
Anoro Ellipta and monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Taking Anoro Ellipta with an MAOI or within two weeks of stopping an MAOI can cause unsafe heart rhythms. Examples of MAOIs include:
- phenelzine (Nardil)
- isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar)
Anoro Ellipta and tricyclic antidepressants
Taking Anoro Ellipta with a TCA or within two weeks of stopping a TCA can cause irregular heart rhythms. Examples of TCAs include:
- amitriptyline
- imipramine (Tofranil)
- desipramine (Norpramin)
- nortriptyline (Pamelor)
If you need to take an antidepressant with Anoro Ellipta, talk with your doctor about which options are safe for you.
Anoro Ellipta and certain blood pressure or heart rate medications
Taking Anoro Ellipta with certain blood pressure or heart rate medications, called beta-blockers, can make Anoro Ellipta less effective. Taking these drugs with Anoro Ellipta could also cause the muscles in your airways to tighten, making it harder for you to breathe.
Examples of beta-blockers include:
- atenolol (Tenormin)
- carvedilol (Coreg)
- metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
- propranolol (Inderal XL, Inderal LA, Innopran XL)
Anoro Ellipta should only be taken with a beta-blocker in an emergency situation, such as during a heart attack.
Anoro Ellipta and certain urinary incontinence medications
One of the active drugs in Anoro Ellipta, called umeclidinium, is an anticholinergic drug. Anticholinergics can also be used to treat urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control).
Taking Anoro Ellipta with another anticholinergic can increase your risk for serious side effects. Examples of anticholinergics that can increase your risk of side effects if taken with Anoro Ellipta include:
- fesoterodine (Toviaz)
- oxybutynin (Ditropan XL)
- tolterodine (Detrol)
- solifenacin (VESIcare)
- darifenacin (Enablex)
If you need to take Anoro Ellipta with an anticholinergic drug, your doctor will monitor you more closely than usual for side effects. They may also recommend different treatment for your COPD or urinary incontinence.
Anoro Ellipta and certain diuretics
Taking Anoro Ellipta with certain diuretics (often called water pills) can increase your risk for hypokalemia (low potassium levels). Hypokalemia can cause irregular heart rhythms (heartbeats that are too slow, too fast, or uneven) and other muscle problems.
Examples of diuretics that can cause low potassium levels if taken with Anoro Ellipta include:
- furosemide (Lasix)
- torsemide (Demadex)
- hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
- chlorthalidone
If you need to take a diuretic with Anoro Ellipta, your doctor may closely monitor your potassium levels.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases that damages your lungs. These diseases are progressive, which means they get worse over time. Most people with COPD have chronic bronchitis or emphysema, or both.
Chronic bronchitis is a disease that causes swelling in the lining of your airways. As a result, your airways fill up with mucus. Emphysema is a disease that damages your alveoli (small air sacs in your lungs). Both diseases make it harder for you to inhale oxygen into your lungs and exhale carbon dioxide out of your lungs.
Umeclidinium (one of the active drugs in Anoro) belongs to a group of drugs called long-acting anticholinergics (LAMA). LAMAs block the action of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger in your body. Acetylcholine tells certain muscles (such as those in your lungs) to tighten. Umeclidinium helps prevent the muscles in your lungs from tightening. This helps keep your airways open, making it easier for air to flow into and out of your lungs.
Vilanterol is the other active drug in Anoro Ellipta. It’s a long-acting beta-agonist. Vilanterol attaches to certain muscle cells in your lungs. When it attaches to these cells, the muscles relax. This helps open your airways and lets you breathe more easily.
How long does it take to work?
Anoro Ellipta will start working within several minutes after you take your dose. However, Anoro Ellipta doesn’t work fast enough to be used as a rescue inhaler. You’ll still need to use your rescue inhaler for emergency situations.
There haven’t been enough studies in humans to know if Anoro Ellipta is safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies showed harm to the fetus when the mother received very high doses of Anoro Ellipta. However, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.
If you become pregnant while taking Anoro Ellipta, call your doctor right away. You may need to use a different COPD medication during your pregnancy.
Additionally, Anoro Ellipta could interfere with muscle contractions during labor and delivery. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking Anoro Ellipta before giving birth. They will determine whether it’s safe for you to use the drug immediately before and during delivery.
It’s not known if Anoro Ellipta passes into breast milk in humans. If you’re breastfeeding and considering taking Anoro, talk with your doctor about the potential risks and benefits.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Anoro Ellipta.
Is Anoro Ellipta a steroid?
No, Anoro Ellipta doesn’t contain any steroids.
Anoro Ellipta contains two drugs that aren’t steroids: a long-acting anticholinergic drug (called umeclidinium) and a long-acting beta-agonist drug (called vilanterol). These drugs work to open and relax muscles in your airways so you can breathe more easily.
Sometimes, a type of steroid (called a corticosteroid) is prescribed for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation and improve COPD symptoms.
Inhaled corticosteroids may be taken along with other COPD drugs, including Anoro Ellipta. This combination of treatment can help decrease COPD symptoms, reduce COPD exacerbations (flare-ups), and improve your overall lung function.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about any other treatments you need to use with Anoro Ellipta.
Is Anoro Ellipta safe to use for asthma?
It’s not known if Anoro Ellipta is safe to use for asthma treatment.
In fact, one of the ingredients in Anoro Ellipta (called vilanterol) increases the risk of death from asthma. This increased risk occurs if vilanterol is used alone (without an inhaled corticosteroid) to treat asthma. Because Anoro Ellipta contains vilanterol, it may not be safe to take if you have asthma. But in some cases, your doctor might prescribe Anoro with an inhaled corticosteroid for asthma treatment.
Note: Clinical studies have not found an increased risk of death when vilanterol is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Be sure to talk with your doctor for more information about asthma treatment.
Can I use both Anoro Ellipta and Spiriva?
Anoro Ellipta and Spiriva (tiotropium) should not be used together. They both contain a long-acting anticholinergic (LAMA) drug. LAMAs help you breathe more easily by preventing the muscles in your airways from tightening.
LAMAs can also cause side effects in your body, especially if you take too much of a LAMA drug. Taking Anoro and Spiriva together will increase your risk of these serious side effects, which can include:
- eye problems, such as blurry vision
- drowsiness
- memory problems
- confusion
- trouble urinating
- delirium
Be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all of the drugs you’re taking. They will make sure that you don’t take more than one LAMA at a time.
Should I use Anoro Ellipta when I have COPD flare-ups?
Do not use Anoro Ellipta to treat sudden breathing problems. Anoro Ellipta doesn’t work quickly enough to help you breathe during emergency situations.
Your doctor may tell you to continue using Anoro when you have an exacerbation (flare-up). However, it won’t be the only drug you need at that time.
Talk with your doctor about what you should do during a flare-up. They will help you create a treatment plan for emergency situations. They may prescribe a rescue inhaler.
I don’t taste Anoro Ellipta after I use it. Is that OK?
Yes, it’s fine if you don’t taste Anoro Ellipta after you’ve inhaled it. If you take Anoro Ellipta according to its instructions, you’ll still get your full dose. If you can’t taste the drug, don’t take another inhalation (puff).
Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how to use Anoro.
Before taking Anoro Ellipta, talk with your doctor about your health history. Anoro Ellipta may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These include:
- Asthma. Anoro Ellipta shouldn’t be used to treat asthma without combining it with an inhaled corticosteroid. Using Anoro by itself to treat asthma can lead to an increased risk of asthma-related death. If you have asthma, talk with your doctor about whether Anoro Ellipta is right for you.
- Severe allergic reaction. Your doctor won’t prescribe Anoro Ellipta if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in Anoro Ellipta. Its main ingredients are umeclidinium and vilanterol. If you’re unsure if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to Anoro Ellipta or any of its ingredients, talk with your doctor.
- Allergy to milk proteins. The powder used to make Anoro contains milk proteins. If you’re allergic to milk proteins, your doctor won’t prescribe Anoro Ellipta.
- Heart problems. Anoro Ellipta can cause heart problems, including high blood pressure, fast heartbeat, and irregular heart rhythm. If you have heart problems, Anoro Ellipta may make them worse. Talk with your doctor about whether Anoro Ellipta is safe for you.
- Convulsive disorders, including seizures. Anoro Ellipta can make seizure disorders worse. If you have a seizure disorder, talk with your doctor about whether Anoro Ellipta is right for you.
- Urinary or prostate problems. Anoro Ellipta can cause new or worsening urinary retention (trouble urinating). If you have a history of urinary problems or prostate problems, talk with your doctor about whether Anoro Ellipta is right for you.
- Thyroid disorder. Anoro Ellipta can cause high levels of thyroid hormone. If you have hyperthyroidism, talk with your doctor about whether Anoro Ellipta is right for you.
- Narrow-angle glaucoma. Anoro Ellipta can cause new or worsening narrow-angle glaucoma. If you have a history of high pressure in your eyes (called glaucoma), talk with your doctor about whether Anoro Ellipta is right for you.
Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Anoro Ellipta, see the “Anoro Ellipta side effects” section above.
Using more than the recommended dosage of Anoro Ellipta can lead to serious side effects.
Overdose symptoms
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- dry mouth and throat
- blurry vision
- constipation
- fast heart rate
- chest pain
- high blood pressure
- headache
- nausea
- seizures
- serious heart problems, such as heart attack
What to do in case of overdose
If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
When you get Anoro Ellipta from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.
The expiration date helps guarantee the effectiveness of the medication during this time. The
Storage
How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.
Anoro Ellipta should be stored at room temperature (68°F–77°F/20°C–25°C) in its original packaging, until your first use. Once you’ve opened the inhaler and removed it from its packaging, keep the device away from direct heat and light. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.
Anoro Ellipta can be used for up to six weeks after you first open it.
Disposal
If you no longer need to take Anoro Ellipta and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.
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Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
