From the Guidelines
Anoro Ellipta should be dosed as one inhalation once daily, delivering 62.5 micrograms of umeclidinium and 25 micrograms of vilanterol, for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This dosing is based on the most recent guidelines, including the 2023 Canadian Thoracic Society guideline on pharmacotherapy in patients with stable COPD 1. The medication combines a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (umeclidinium) and a long-acting beta-agonist (vilanterol), which work together to relax airway muscles and improve breathing.
When using Anoro Ellipta, the patient should open the cover of the inhaler until they hear a click, breathe out fully (but not into the device), place the mouthpiece between their lips, and take a long, steady, deep breath in. Patients should not exceed the recommended dosage of one inhalation daily and should take the medication at the same time each day to maintain consistent blood levels and maximize effectiveness. Key points to consider when dosing Anoro Ellipta include:
- The medication should be used once daily, with no dosage adjustment needed for elderly patients or those with mild to moderate renal impairment.
- Caution is advised in severe renal impairment or hepatic disease.
- The dual mechanism of umeclidinium and vilanterol provides better bronchodilation than either component alone, as demonstrated in studies comparing umeclidinium/vilanterol versus umeclidinium and salmeterol monotherapies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The recommended dosage of ANORO ELLIPTA for maintenance treatment of COPD is 62.5 mcg umeclidinium and 25 mcg vilanterol (1 actuation of ANORO ELLIPTA 62. 5/25 mcg) once daily by oral inhalation.
• ANORO ELLIPTA should be used at the same time every day. Do not use ANORO ELLIPTA more than 1 time every 24 hours.
• No dosage adjustment is required for geriatric patients, patients with renal impairment, or patients with moderate hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
The dosing for Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium and vilanterol) is 62.5 mcg umeclidinium and 25 mcg vilanterol once daily by oral inhalation, to be used at the same time every day, with no more than one actuation every 24 hours 2.
- Key points:
- Dosage: 62.5 mcg umeclidinium and 25 mcg vilanterol
- Frequency: once daily
- Administration: oral inhalation
- Special considerations:
- No dosage adjustment for geriatric patients, patients with renal impairment, or patients with moderate hepatic impairment
From the Research
Dosing Information for Anoro Ellipta
- The recommended dosing for Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium and vilanterol) is 62.5/25 μg once daily, equivalent to a delivered dose of 55/22 μg once daily 3, 4.
- This dosing is administered using the Ellipta multi-dose dry powder inhaler, which is considered easy to use 3.
- The fixed-dose combination of umeclidinium and vilanterol is indicated for the maintenance treatment of adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 5, 4, 6.
Key Points
- Umeclidinium/vilanterol has been shown to be effective and well-tolerated in adult patients with COPD, improving pulmonary function and symptoms 3, 6.
- The combination has been approved by regulatory agencies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency, for the maintenance treatment of COPD 5, 4, 6.
- Further studies are needed to compare the efficacy and safety of umeclidinium/vilanterol with other LABA/LAMA combinations 6.