Anoro Ellipta 62.5mcg/25mcg

Anoro Ellipta general information

What is Anoro Ellipta used for?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of chronic lung diseases that cause breathing difficulties due to lung damage.  COPD cannot be cured or reversed, therefore, COPD gets worse with time.  Anoro Ellipta is an inhalation powder used for long-term treatment and maintenance of COPD to control symptoms of progressive obstructive airway disease and to prevent the damage from getting worse.

What causes COPD?

COPD includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma.  It is caused by inhaling irritants that gradually damage the lung cells with time to a point where the damage cannot be reversed.  Smoking is the most common cause, also workplace chemicals.  Asthma and COPD are similar conditions, but asthma is reversible.  Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways, triggered either by an allergic reaction or chemical irritation.  The effects on the lungs are not permanent and can be reversed using the right medications.  However, untreated asthma can cause scarring of the lung tissue that leads to COPD.  Scarring results in airway remodelling, which means thickening of the airway walls and narrowing of the tubes.  This causes the airways to be blocked, making breathing permanently and irreversibly difficult. 

Symptoms of COPD

COPD symptoms are the result of inflammation and bronchospasm, which is tightening of the smooth muscle that lines the airways, causing narrowing of the airways.  Symptoms include a chronic cough with the production of thick mucus or phlegm, wheezing, and tightness of the chest.  Breathing is difficult, making you feel short of breath.  At first, shortness of breath is related to exercise or mild exertion but eventually happens even when you are resting.  You are more likely to get a chest infection and can feel tired and fatigued much of the time.  Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the tubes of the upper airways, including the bronchi (large airways) and the bronchioles (small airways), resulting in bronchospasm and phlegm production.  Emphysema develops as a result of damage to the alveoli or air sacs of the lungs, making it more and more difficult for the lungs to get enough oxygen into the blood.  COPD in all its forms, limits daily activities, restricts exercise and exertion, and reduces the quality of life.

How does Anoro Ellipta work?

Anoro Ellipta inhalation powder contains a combination of two medications that are used for long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Umeclidinium and vilanterol in Anoro Ellipta are both long-acting bronchodilators that act directly on the bronchioles, which are the small airways of the lungs.  Umeclidinium and vilanterol both inhibit bronchospasm caused by muscular contraction of the airway walls, which allows the muscles of the airways to relax and widen.  However, umeclidinium and vilanterol work by different mechanisms.

Umeclidinium in Anoro Ellipta is a long-acting anticholinergic that binds to the muscarinic receptors in the bronchioles of the lung.  Umeclidinium is also known as an antimuscarinic or muscarinic antagonist.  This action of umeclidinium inhibits the interaction of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger of the nervous system) with these muscarinic receptors, which prevents spasm of the airway wall caused by acetylcholine.  

Vilanterol in Anoro Ellipta is a potent, selective, long-acting beta-agonist that binds to beta2 receptors on the bronchiole smooth muscle cells.  It works by relaxing the smooth muscle in the airway walls to widen the airways.  Some bronchodilators work rapidly but are short-acting, whereas vilanterol lasts for up to 12 hours. 

Umeclidinium and vilanterol have synergistic action.  They work together by different mechanisms to enhance the effect of each other, which reduces bronchospasm to a greater extent than would be provided by each drug alone.  This action increases airflow into the lungs, relieving symptoms of COPD such as chronic cough with sputum production, tightness of the chest, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

What does Anoro Ellipta contain?

Anoro Ellipta contains two active ingredients, umeclidinium bromide 62.5mcg a long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator, and vilanterol 25mcg, a long-acting beta-agonist, that are used in combination to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  The inhalation powder also contains magnesium stearate and lactose monohydrate.

Anoro Ellipta contains 30 doses, and each dose delivers 62.5mcg/25mcg of umeclidinium/vilanterol powder per inhalation.

What are the side effects of Anoro Ellipta?

Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone.  Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Anoro Ellipta, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician. 

Common side effects when taking Anoro Ellipta include headache, dry mouth, sore throat, cough, constipation, sinusitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, urinary tract Infection.

Less common side effects include rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), tremor, palpitations and rash.

Paradoxical bronchospasm is uncommon but can occur where Anoro Ellipta worsens your breathing.  

When should Anoro Ellipta not be used?

Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Anoro Ellipta so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it.  There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Anoro Ellipta you should consider the following before taking Anoro Ellipta:

• Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Anoro Ellipta?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Do you have any problems with your kidneys?
• Do you have asthma or are having an acute episode of bronchospasm, as Anoro Ellipta is not intended for asthma treatment or acute rescue therapy?
• Do you have glaucoma, urinary problems, or prostate or kidney disease?
• Do you have heart disease, irregular heartbeat, or overactive thyroid?

What medications interact with Anoro Ellipta?

Some medicines interact with Anoro Ellipta and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Anoro Ellipta or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician.  These may include the antifungal ketoconazole, other anticholinergic drugs like tiotropium, ipratropium and atropine, other beta-agonists like pseudoephedrine in cold medications, beta-blockers like atenolol.

If other medications may interact with Anoro Ellipta, your doctor will discuss these with you. 

How should Anoro Ellipta be taken and for how long?

You should use your Anoro Ellipta by taking one inhalation once daily and at the same time each day.  Follow the instructions provided, and you should continue to use your Anoro Ellipta continually for as long as your doctor recommends, which may be long term.  You should not stop taking your Anoro Ellipta, even if you feel better.  

Missed dose of Anoro Ellipta

If you miss a dose of Anoro Ellipta take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Anoro Ellipta be stored?

You should store your Anoro Ellipta below 25°C in a cool dry place.