FDA Approves Anoro Ellipta to Treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The Food and Drug Administration Dec. 18 approved Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation powder) for the once-daily, long-term maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD is a serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult and worsens over time, the agency said. Symptoms can include chest tightness, chronic cough and excessive phlegm. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD.

Anoro Ellipta is a combination of umeclidinium, an inhaled anticholinergic that affects the muscles around the large airways and stops the muscles from tightening, and vilanterol, a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) that relaxes ...