Anoro Ellipta Inhaler: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Anoro Ellipta Inhaler combines umeclidinium and vilanterol, two bronchodilator medicines, into a once-daily maintenance treatment for COPD. It is not intended for asthma and does not relieve sudden breathing attacks. The inhaler works by relaxing and opening the airway muscles to make breathing easier throughout the day.

What is Anoro Ellipta Inhaler

Anoro Ellipta is an inhaler that combines two medicines, umeclidinium and vilanterol, which belong to a group of medicines called bronchodilators. It is used as a once-daily maintenance treatment, not for sudden breathing attacks.

Anoro Ellipta Inhaler uses

• Treats chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema
• Helps control long-term breathing difficulties caused by COPD
• Not for use in asthma
• Not for relieving sudden attacks of breathlessness or wheezing

Benefits of Anoro Ellipta Inhaler

• Helps improve airflow
• Reduces shortness of breath
• Provides 24-hour bronchodilation
• Helps control COPD symptoms
• Combines two long-acting bronchodilators

How Anoro Ellipta Inhaler works

Anoro Ellipta contains two medicines that relax and open the muscles around the airways, making it easier to get air in and out of the lungs. One ingredient blocks a chemical signal that tightens airway muscles, and the other relaxes airway muscles directly; together they help keep airways open for a full day.

Anoro Ellipta Inhaler dosage

Take it only once a day, at the same time each day. Use it exactly as your doctor has told you, and keep using it until your doctor tells you to stop. Inhale the medicine into your lungs through your mouth using the inhaler. The inhaler is ready to use right away; there is no need to prepare or check it before use. Do not shake the inhaler before use.

After inhaling, you can wipe the mouthpiece with a dry tissue before closing the cover; do not put the inhaler in water. Do not use it more often than once a day or increase the dose on your own. Keep a fast-acting rescue inhaler with you for sudden breathing attacks, since this medicine will not work fast enough for that. If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the usual time the next day — do not take two doses at once. Not meant for use by anyone under 18 years old.

Available forms and strengths

• Dry powder for oral inhalation delivered by the Ellipta inhaler (62.5 mcg umeclidinium and 25 mcg vilanterol per actuation)

Side effects of Anoro Ellipta Inhaler

Common

• Sore throat with or without a runny nose
• Cough
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Painful and frequent urination (may be signs of a urinary tract infection)
• Feeling of pressure or pain in the cheeks and forehead (may be signs of sinusitis)
• Pain and irritation in the back of the mouth and throat
• Infection of the upper airways
• Hoarse voice
• Headache
• Diarrhea, stomach pain
• Pain in arms and legs, muscle spasms, neck pain, back pain
• Taste disturbance
• Feeling dizzy, tired, unwell
• Nervousness, feeling anxious
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Nausea, vomiting
• Common cold

Serious

• Allergic reactions: wheezing, coughing, swelling of the lips/mouth, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, hives or skin rash, fainting, suddenly feeling weak or light headed
• Immediate breathing difficulties and wheezing
• Decrease in vision or pain in your eyes (possible signs of glaucoma)
• Blurred vision
• Increase of measured eye pressure
• Difficulty passing urine (urinary retention)
• Pain or discomfort when passing urine (dysuria)
• Irregular heartbeat, fast heartbeat, awareness of your heartbeat (palpitations)
• Anxiety and feeling anxious
• Tremor, muscle spasms
• Changes in taste
• Low blood potassium: irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness or spasms, feeling generally unwell
• High blood sugar: frequent urination, thirst, and hunger
• Pneumonia: fever, chills, increased or changed sputum, increased cough or breathing difficulties
• Chest pain

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine should only be used for COPD, not asthma. Long-acting beta2-agonist medicines like the one in this inhaler may increase the risk of death from asthma.
• Do not use this medicine to treat a sudden COPD flare-up or asthma attack — always keep a fast-acting rescue inhaler on hand for that.
• Do not use other medicines that contain a similar long-acting bronchodilator ingredient together with this medicine, as this could cause an overdose.
• Use with caution if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or urinary retention, as this medicine can make these conditions worse.
• Stop using the inhaler right away if you get sudden tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing, or breathlessness immediately after use, and get medical help.
• Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while using this medicine. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, since it is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk.
• No dose adjustment is needed for people with kidney problems. No dose adjustment is needed for mild or moderate liver problems; this medicine has not been studied in people with severe liver impairment.
• Be careful before you drive or use machines or tools until you know how this medicine affects you, especially if you get headache, dizziness, or blurred vision.

Storage

• Store it in a cool dry place (below 30°C) away from moisture, heat or sunlight
• If you store it in the refrigerator, allow the inhaler to return to room temperature at least 1 hour before you use it
• Do not open the foil lid until you are ready to use the inhaler for the first time
• Once removed from the tray, store for a maximum of six weeks or until the counter reads "0", whichever occurs first
• Keep it where young children cannot reach it
• Do not store it in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills
• Write the discard date on the inhaler label as soon as it is removed from the tray
• If no longer needed or out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, hives, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• Call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine, or if you feel more breathless or wheezy than usual, or are using your quick-acting inhaler more than usual.
• Seek urgent medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, even if you feel fine, especially if your heart is beating faster than usual, you feel shaky, or have a headache.
• Get medical help if you notice eye pain, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, or reduced vision, as these may be signs of a serious eye problem.

Alternatives

• Stiolto Respimat
• Bevespi Aerosphere
• Utibron Neohaler