Anoro Ellipta

What is Anoro Ellipta?

Anoro Ellipta is an inhalable medication for COPD. It contains two active ingredients, vilanterol and umeclidinium.

Vilanterol is a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) and umeclidinium is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). These belong to a group of medicines called bronchodilators, treatments that relax and widen your airways to help you breathe easier. Because it contains two active ingredients to treat COPD symptoms, Anoro Ellipta is a type of dual therapy.

How does Anoro Ellipta work?

Vilanterol and umeclidinium work in slightly different ways to reduce symptoms of COPD.

Umeclidinium blocks neural signals that cause the muscles around your airways to constrict, and reduces the amount of mucus you produce.^[1]
Vilanterol binds to receptors in your airways, causing them to relax and open up.^[2]
Together, the two active ingredients work through complementary pathways in your lungs to open your airways, and keep them clear.

Because Anoro Ellipta is a long-lasting inhaler, you’ll only need to use it once a day – the effects of the medicine last for 24 hours.

What doses does Anoro Ellipta come in?

We offer Anoro Ellipta in a single dose, which delivers 55 mcg umeclidinium and 22 mcg vilanterol per inhalation. If you need to change the dose of your inhaler because it isn’t properly managing your COPD symptoms, you’ll have to switch to a different kind of inhaler. Just speak to your clinician, and they should be able to recommend a more suitable treatment for you.

How to use Anoro Ellipta

If it’s the first time you’re using your Anoro Ellipta inhaler, you should check it’s working properly. When you’re ready to start using your new inhaler, peel open the lid to the packaging tray and remove the inhaler. In the ‘Discard by’ space, write the date six weeks from the day you open the tray; don’t use your inhaler after this date.

To use your Anoro Ellipta inhaler:

• Slide the cover on top down until you hear a ‘click’. Make sure to only do this when you’re ready for a dose – if you close the cover without inhaling the medicine, that dose will be lost
• Check that the dose counter on the side of the inhaler has ticked down by one. If the dose counter hasn’t counted down after you hear the ‘click’, your inhaler won’t deliver your dose
• Holding your inhaler away from your mouth, breathe out as far as you comfortably can
• Place the mouthpiece between your lips, and close your mouth firmly around it. Don’t bite the mouthpiece, and be careful not to block the air vent with your fingers
• Take a deep, steady breath in through the inhaler. Hold your breath in for as long as is comfortable (at least 3-4 seconds)
• Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly, away from the inhaler
• Slide the mouthpiece cover back up to cover the mouthpiece

How long does it take for Anoro Ellipta to work?

Anoro Ellipta gets to work straight away after you inhale a dose.

A study comparing a COPD treatment called tiotropium and Anoro Ellipta highlights how quick Anoro Ellipta works. Compared to tiotropium, those given umeclidinium and vilanterol had better forced expiratory volume (FEV1 ) after just 5 minutes on the first day of treatment. Over the 12 weeks the study ran, those on umeclidinium and vilanterol also used their rescue medication less, and more achieved clinically meaningful improvements in their transition dyspnea index score than those taking tiotropium.[1]

However, it’s important to note that Anoro Ellipta shouldn’t be used to relieve sudden breathing difficulties caused by COPD. You’ll need a fast-acting reliever inhaler to use in these situations. Speak to your clinician if you don’t have one, but think you should.

What should I do if I make a mistake taking Anoro Ellipta?

You should only use your Anoro Ellipta inhaler as instructed by your clinician. If you forget to take a dose of Anoro Ellipta, don’t take an extra inhalation to make up for the forgotten one. Just take your next dose at the next usual time.

If you accidentally take too much Anoro Ellipta: you might feel shaky or notice your heart is beating faster than usual, and you could get visual disturbances, a dry mouth, or a headache. You should contact your clinician for advice if you have any of these side effects after using too much Anoro Ellipta.