ANORO ELLIPTA (Umeclidinium/Vilanterol)

What is this medication?

ANORO ELLIPTA (Umeclidinium/Vilanterol)
Anticholinergic, Beta agonist, long- acting, inhalant (oral)

ANORO ELLIPTA (Umeclidinium/Vilanterol) Indicated for treatment of chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD).

How does this medication work?

Umeclidinium is an anticholinergic agent that is a reversible competitive inhibitor of type 3 muscarinic (M3) receptors which causes the smooth muscle in the bronchi to relax and subsequently leads to bronchodilation.

Vilanterol is a selective beta agonist that binds to beta2 receptors located on the bronchial smooth muscle causing the airway to dilate reducing the work required to breath while having little effect on heart rate.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Before starting ANORO ELLIPTA (Umeclidinium/Vilanterol), make sure your physician is aware of any allergies or medications you currently take.  Hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular disease, electrolyte disturbances, urinary retention and rare paradoxical cases of life-threatening bronchospasm have been reported.

How should I take this medication?

Inhalation: Use one inhalation once daily.

How to Take: Do not shake the inhaler. Remove the inhaler from the sealed pouch immediately prior to first use. Each time the cover of the inhaler is opened, a ‘click’ should be heard and the counter will count down by 1 number; dose is ready to be inhaled. If the counter does not count down as the “click” is heard, the inhaler will not deliver the medicine. Only open inhaler cover when ready for administration; opening and closing the device without inhaling will result in a lost dose; do not close inhaler cover until dose has been inhaled. Refer to product labeling for additional administration instructions.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of medication, try to take it as soon as possible.  However, if it is almost time for your next dose, take only that scheduled dose.  Do not take double or extra doses.

Do not use more than 1 inhalation in a single day.

How should I store this medication?

Keep out of the reach of children at all times. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the inhaler device in the sealed foil tray until ready to start using it.

Discard device 6 weeks after it is removed from the foil tray or when the dose counter reads “0” (whichever comes first).

What are the possible side effects of using this medication?

The following side effects occurs with an incidence of only 1% and include chest pain, headache, vertigo, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, urinary tract infection, muscle and joint pain, pharyngitis, sinusitis.

Note this is not a complete list of side effects for ANORO ELLIPTA (Umeclidinium/Vilanterol), only common ones.