Anoro

Anoro ellipta is an inhaler-based medication used to treat various respiratory symptoms. Controlling the chronic symptoms of respiratory problems can help individuals enjoy a better quality of life by staying active. Anoro ellipta includes two active ingredients – umeclidinium and vilanterol – which work in tandem to have the same effect, namely relaxing the muscles in the airways and around the lungs so that they can open up naturally and make inhaling and exhaling easier. The active ingredients in Anoro ellipta belong to a group of drugs known as anticholinergics and long-acting beta agonists (LABAs), and are also known to be effective bronchodilators. Anoro ellipta can be given alongside other treatments that are designed to help you overcome the rapid onset of severe side effects caused by a respiratory issue. Anoro ellipta is only available on prescription and should not be taken by anyone who has not been advised to use the medication by their doctor or a medical professional.Anoro ellipta is a prescription bronchodilator medication available in the form of a regular use inhaler. This medication includes the dual active ingredients vilanterol and umeclidinium.

• Reduces breathing difficulties in COPD patients
• Inhalation medicine
• Maintenance medicine

Anoro is a medicine for oral inhalation. Anoro contains two active substances: umeclidinium bromide and vilanterol. This medicine blocks the tightening of the muscles in the lungs, making it easier for air to get in and out. The powder is inhaled using the Ellipta inhaler that comes with the medicine.

Anoro is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. When used regularly, it can help to control your breathing difficulties and reduce the effects of COPD on your everyday life.

Note: Anoro is not a quick-acting reliever inhaler. This medicine should NOT be used to relieve a sudden attack of breathlessness or wheezing.

Anoro should be used every day at the same time of day. The package leaflet contains step-by-step introductions on how to prepare the Ellipta inhaler for use and how to inhale the medicine correctly. Follow these instructions closely.

If your COPD symptoms (breathlessness, wheezing, cough) do not improve or get worse, or if you are using your quick-acting inhaler more often, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Keep the inhaler inside the sealed tray in order to protect from moisture and only remove immediately before first use. Once the tray is opened, the inhaler can be used for up to six weeks, starting from the date of opening the tray. See the package leaflet for step-by-step instructions on how to store your inhaler.

Dosage

Dosage varies per person and is determined by a doctor depending on the symptoms. The general dosage guidelines are as follows:

• Adults: one inhalation every day.

This medicine is not suitable for use in youths under 18 years of age.

Alcohol/driving

This medicine does not interact with alcohol. Anoro is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

If you use too much/forget to use/stop using Anoro

If you accidentally use too much of this medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice immediately as you may need medical attention. If possible, show them the inhaler, the package or the information leaflet.

Don’t inhale an extra dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Just inhale your next dose at the usual time. If you become wheezy or breathless, use your quick-acting reliever inhaler (such as salbutamol), then seek medical advice.

Don’t stop using this medicine unless your doctor advises you to, even if you feel better, as your symptoms may get worse.

Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of the ingredients (see section 'What Anoro contains').

When should this medicine be used with caution?

Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if any of the following apply to you or if you are unsure.

• You have asthma.
• You have heart problems or high blood pressure.
• You have an eye problem called narrowangle glaucoma.
• You have an enlarged prostate, difficulty passing urine or a blockage in your bladder.
• You have epilepsy.
• You have thyroid gland problems.
• You have diabetes.
• You have severe liver problems.

Immediate breathing difficulties
If you get tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after using your Anoro Ellipta inhaler, stop using this medicine and seek medical help immediately, as you may have a serious condition called paradoxical bronchospasm.

Eye problems during treatment with Anoro Ellipta
If you get eye pain or discomfort, temporary blurring of vision, visual halos or coloured images in association with red eyes during treatment with Anoro Ellipta, stop using this medicine and seek medical help immediately, as these may be signs of an acute attack of narrow-angle glaucoma.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Don’t use this medicine if you are pregnant unless your doctor tells you that you can.

It is not known whether the ingredients of Anoro can pass into breast milk. Don’t use this medicine if you are breastfeeding unless your doctor tells you that you can.

Other medicines and Anoro

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using or have recently used any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, herbal medicines or other natural products.

Some medicines may affect how this medicine works, or make it more likely that you’ll have side effects. These include:

• Medicines called beta blockers (e.g., propranolol).
• Ketoconazole or itraconazole (to treat fungal infections).
• Clarithromycin or telithromycin (antibiotics, used to treat bacterial infections).
• Ritonavir (to treat HIV infection).
• Medicines that lower the amount of potassium in your blood, such as some diuretics (water tablets) or some medicines used to treat asthma (such as methylxanthine or steroids).
• Other longacting medicines similar to this medicine that are used to treat breathing problems (e.g., tiotropium, indacaterol). Don’t use Anoro if you already use these medicines.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of these.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although some people may not experience any.

Allergic reactions

If you have any of the following symptoms after using Anoro Ellipta, stop using this medicine and tell your doctor immediately.

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Skin rashes (hives) or redness.

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• Swelling, sometimes of the face or mouth (angioedema).
• Becoming very wheezy, coughing or having difficulty in breathing.
• Suddenly feeling weak or lightheaded (which may lead to collapse or loss of consciousness).

Immediate breathing difficulties
Immediate breathing difficulties after using Anoro Ellipta are rare. If you get tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after using your Anoro Ellipta inhaler, stop using this medicine and seek medical help immediately, as you may have a serious condition called paradoxical bronchospasm.

Other side effects of Anoro include:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Painful and frequent urination (may be signs of a urinary tract infection).
• Combination of sore throat and runny nose.
• Sore throat.
• Feeling of pressure or pain in the cheeks and forehead (may be signs of inflammation of the sinuses called sinusitis).
• Headache.
• Cough.
• Pain and irritation in the back of the mouth and throat.
• Constipation.
• Dry mouth.
• Infection of the upper airways.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Irregular heartbeat, faster heartbeat, palpitations.
• Skin rash.
• Muscle spasms.
• Tremor.
• Taste disturbance.
• Hoarseness.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• Blurred vision.
• Increase of the measured eye pressure.
• Decrease in vision or pain in your eyes (possible signs of glaucoma).
• Difficulty and pain when passing urine – these may be signs of a bladder obstruction or urinary retention.

For a complete list of side effects, see the package leaflet. If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the leaflet.

The active substances are umeclidinium bromide and vilanterol. Each single inhalation provides a delivered dose (the dose leaving the mouthpiece) of 55 micrograms umeclidinium (equivalent to 65 micrograms of umeclidinium bromide) and 22 micrograms of vilanterol (as trifenatate).