Anoro Ellipta is a brand-name medication prescribed for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It combines umeclidinium bromide and vilanterol trifenatate, two bronchodilators that work to relax airway muscles, improving airflow and easing breathing difficulties for individuals with COPD. Like all medications, Anoro Ellipta carries the potential for side effects, ranging from mild to severe. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Anoro Ellipta's side effects, precautions, and other crucial information to help patients and healthcare providers make informed decisions.
How Anoro Ellipta Works
Anoro Ellipta is a combination medication containing umeclidinium and vilanterol. Umeclidinium is an anticholinergic that helps to relax and open airways in the lungs, while vilanterol is a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) that also relaxes airway muscles. By relaxing the muscles around the airways, Anoro Ellipta helps to improve airflow and make it easier to breathe for individuals with COPD.
Common Side Effects of Anoro Ellipta
Many individuals using Anoro Ellipta experience mild side effects. It's important to note that these side effects are often temporary and may subside as the body adjusts to the medication. Common side effects include:
- Diarrhea: Changes in bowel habits can occur, leading to loose or frequent stools.
- Lower respiratory infections: Infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia, may occur.
- Muscle spasms: Involuntary muscle contractions can cause discomfort.
- Neck pain: Discomfort or stiffness in the neck area.
- Sinus inflammation: Swelling and irritation of the sinuses.
- Sore throat: Irritation or pain in the throat.
- Common cold symptoms: Symptoms such as cough or sore throat
- Constipation: Difficulty in passing stools.
- Dry mouth: A decrease in saliva production, leading to a dry feeling in the mouth.
- Headache: Pain or discomfort in the head.
- Mild chest pain: Discomfort or pain in the chest.
- Pain in the arms or legs: Discomfort or pain in the extremities.
- Throat irritation: Irritation or pain in the throat.
- Vomiting: Expulsion of stomach contents.
- Heartburn and indigestion: Burning sensation in the chest or discomfort in the stomach.
If these side effects persist, worsen, or become bothersome, it's important to consult with a doctor or pharmacist.
Serious Side Effects of Anoro Ellipta
Although less common, Anoro Ellipta can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:
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- Allergic Reactions: Anoro Ellipta may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Anoro Ellipta and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: breathing problems or wheezing, racing heart, fever or general ill feeling, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, trouble swallowing or throat tightness, itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting, stomach cramps, joint pain.
- Paradoxical Bronchospasm: This involves a sudden and unexpected tightening of the airways after inhaling the medication, leading to coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and trouble breathing. If this occurs, use a rescue inhaler immediately and seek medical attention.
- Heart problems: This medication can lead to heart-related issues such as chest pain, fast heart rate, irregular heart rate and high blood pressure. In some instances, stroke and heart attack have occurred.
- High blood sugar: Elevated blood sugar levels can manifest as excessive thirst, frequent hunger, and increased urination.
- Low potassium: Symptoms of hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) may include muscle pain or cramps, nausea or vomiting, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, seizures, uneven heartbeat, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
- Nervous System Effects: Anoro Ellipta may cause nervous system effects, including tremor or nervousness. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop these symptoms.
- New or worsening eye problems: Symptoms of acute narrow-angle glaucoma may include eye pain or discomfort, nausea or vomiting, blurred vision, seeing halos or bright colors around lights, red eyes.
- New or worsening urinary problems: Symptoms of urinary retention may include difficulty urinating; painful urination; urinating frequently; urination in a weak stream or drips.
- Worsening COPD symptoms: Anoro Ellipta is not a rescue medication and should not be used to treat sudden symptoms.
If you experience any of these severe side effects, seek immediate medical attention.
Anoro Ellipta and Weight Changes
Weight changes were not reported as side effects in studies of Anoro Ellipta. If you have unexplained weight loss or weight gain while using Anoro Ellipta, talk with your doctor. Weight loss can be a sign that your COPD is worsening.
Managing Side Effects of Anoro Ellipta
While Anoro Ellipta can cause side effects, there are strategies to manage them.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids helps prevent dry mouth and constipation.
- Practice good oral hygiene: Regular brushing and flossing can help prevent oral thrush and manage dry mouth.
- Monitor blood sugar: Diabetic patients should closely monitor their blood sugar levels and consult their doctor if significant changes occur.
- Report side effects: Keep a record of any side effects experienced and share this information with your doctor.
Precautions and Warnings
Before starting Anoro Ellipta, it's essential to inform your healthcare provider about any pre-existing medical conditions, allergies, and medications you are taking. Specific precautions and warnings include:
- Allergy to milk proteins: Anoro Ellipta contains lactose, which may cause allergic reactions in individuals with severe milk protein allergies.
- Asthma: Anoro Ellipta is not indicated for asthma treatment.
- Bladder or prostate problems: This medication can worsen urinary retention in individuals with pre-existing urinary issues.
- Cardiovascular disorders: People with heart conditions should be monitored closely because Anoro Ellipta can cause heart or blood vessel problems, including heart rhythm problems.
- Diabetes: This medication may affect blood sugar levels.
- Eye problems: Anoro Ellipta may cause new or worsening eye problems, including acute narrow-angle glaucoma. You should have regular eye exams while using Anoro Ellipta.
- Drug interactions: Anoro Ellipta may interact with other medications, supplements, or foods, potentially affecting its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The safety of Anoro Ellipta during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not fully established.
Your doctor needs to check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.
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Anoro Ellipta Dosage and Administration
It is important to use Anoro Ellipta exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. The usual recommended dosage is one inhalation once a day, at the same time each day. If you miss a dose of this medication, take it as soon as you remember and then take your next dose at your usual time. Do not take more than 1 inhalation per day.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While some side effects of Anoro Ellipta may subside on their own, it's essential to seek medical advice in the following situations:
- Severe allergic reactions: Symptoms such as swelling, rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after using this medicine require immediate medical attention.
- Worsening respiratory symptoms: If breathing difficulties worsen or a paradoxical bronchospasm occurs. Your short-acting inhaler does not seem to work as well as it used to and you need it more often than normal (eg, you use 1 whole canister of the short-acting inhaler in 8 weeks time, or you need to use 4 or more inhalations of the short-acting inhaler for 2 or more days in a row).
- Vision changes: Blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision.
- Heart-related symptoms: Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or palpitations.
- Urinary problems: Difficulty urinating, painful urination, or frequent urination, decreased urine output, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, troubled breathing, or weight gain.
- Symptoms do not improve: Talk with your doctor or get medical care right away if your symptoms do not improve after using this medicine for 1 week or if they become worse.
- Symptoms of hypokalemia: Decreased urine, dry mouth, increased thirst, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle pain or cramps, nausea or vomiting, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, seizures, uneven heartbeat, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Anoro Ellipta Interactions
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements. This medicine should not be used together with similar inhaled medicines, such as arformoterol (Brovana®), budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort®), formoterol (Foradil®, Perforomist®), indacaterol (Onbrez®), or salmeterol (Serevent®).
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