From the Guidelines
Anoro (Umeclidinium/Vilanterol) is a prescription medication used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by combining a long-acting anticholinergic and a long-acting beta-agonist to help open airways and improve breathing. According to the 2023 Canadian Thoracic Society guideline on pharmacotherapy in patients with stable COPD 1, Anoro is a viable treatment option for patients with COPD. The medication contains umeclidinium and vilanterol, which work together to relax muscles around the airways and keep airways open for 24 hours. Some key points about Anoro include:
- It comes as an inhaler device called Anoro Ellipta, typically used once daily with one inhalation containing 62.5 mcg of umeclidinium and 25 mcg of vilanterol
- This medication is a maintenance treatment, not a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems
- Umeclidinium is a long-acting anticholinergic that relaxes muscles around the airways
- Vilanterol is a long-acting beta-agonist that helps keep airways open for 24 hours
- Common side effects may include sore throat, sinus infection, and urinary tract infection
- Patients should not use Anoro with other medications containing vilanterol or long-acting beta-agonists to avoid overdose, as supported by a study on the efficacy of umeclidinium/vilanterol versus umeclidinium and salmeterol monotherapies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 1. It's essential to use Anoro regularly as prescribed, even when feeling well, to maintain its effectiveness in controlling COPD symptoms and improving quality of life, as recommended by the most recent guideline 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
ANORO ELLIPTA is a combination of umeclidinium, an anticholinergic, and vilanterol, a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA), indicated for the maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ANORO ELLIPTA contains both umeclidinium and vilanterol. ANORO ELLIPTA is an inhalation powder drug product for delivery of a combination of umeclidinium (an anticholinergic) and vilanterol (a LABA) to patients by oral inhalation.
Anoro (Umeclidinium/Vilanterol) is a combination inhalation powder drug product containing umeclidinium (an anticholinergic) and vilanterol (a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA)) for the maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 2.
From the Research
What is Anoro (Umeclidinium/Vilanterol)?
- Anoro (Umeclidinium/Vilanterol) is an inhaled fixed-dose combination of a long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist and a long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonist 3, 4.
- It is available in several countries, including Japan, the USA, Canada, and those of the EU, where it is indicated for oral inhalation in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 3, 4.
- Umeclidinium/vilanterol is administered once daily using the Ellipta™ multi-dose dry powder inhaler, which is regarded as easy to use 3.
Indications and Usage
- Anoro (Umeclidinium/Vilanterol) is indicated for the maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema 4, 5.
- It is used as a once-daily, maintenance treatment for adults with COPD 4, 5.
Efficacy and Safety
- Umeclidinium/vilanterol has been shown to be effective and well-tolerated in adult patients with COPD participating in large, multicentre trials of up to 24 weeks' duration 3.
- It has been demonstrated to improve pulmonary function, dyspnea, use of rescue medication, exacerbations, health-related quality of life, and exercise endurance in patients with COPD 3, 6, 7.
- The most common adverse events associated with umeclidinium/vilanterol are headache and nasopharyngitis 3, 6, 7.