FDA Approves COPD Combination Therapy

By Kelly Young

The FDA has approved Anoro Ellipta as a long-term maintenance therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The once-daily treatment consists of umeclidinium, an inhaled anticholinergic, and vilanterol, a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA), given via a single inhaler. In a trial of over 2400 patients with COPD, patients given Anoro Ellipta had improved lung function, relative to those given placebo.

The drug will come with a boxed warning stating the LABAs increase risk for asthma-related mortality. Serious side effects include paradoxical bronchospasm, cardiovascular problems, acute narrow-angle glaucoma, and urinary retention worsening.