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Published online: 15 November 2014
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014
Abstract Umeclidinium/vilanterol (Anoro® Ellipta^sup TM^; Laventair^sup TM^) is an inhaled fixed-dose combination of a long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist and a long-acting β^sub 2^-adrenoceptor agonist. It is available in several countries, including Japan, the USA, Canada and those of the EU, where it is indicated for oral inhalation in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Umeclidinium/vilanterol is administered once daily using the Ellipta^sup TM^ multi-dose dry powder inhaler, which is regarded as easy to use. Umeclidinium/vilanterol (62.5/ 25 υg once daily, equivalent to a delivered dose of 55/22 υg once daily) was effective and well tolerated in adult patients with COPD participating in large, multicentre trials of up to 24 weeks' duration. Umeclidinium/vilanterol improved pulmonary function to a significantly greater extent than placebo and each of the individual components. Moreover, umeclidinium/vilanterol was significantly more effective than once-daily tiotropium bromide monotherapy and a twice-daily fixed combination of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate at improving pulmonary function. Umeclidinium/vilanterol also had beneficial effects on dyspnoea, use of rescue medication, exacerbations, health-related quality of life and, in one study, exercise endurance. Umeclidinium/vilanterol is generally well tolerated in patients with COPD, with the most common adverse events in clinical trials being headache and nasopharyngitis. Umeclidinium/vilanterol was not associated with a clinically relevant increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events in patients with COPD, when data from several clinical trials were pooled. Thus, inhaled umeclidinium/vilanterol extends the treatment options currently available for the maintenance treatment of adults with COPD and has the convenience of once-daily administration.
1 Introduction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation [1]. COPD is caused predominantly by smoking and has two main pathophysiological components: small airways disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema) [1]. Each component contributes to airflow limitation, although the relative contributions vary from individual to individual. Although COPD is a preventable and treatable disease, it is not curable and its prevalence continues to increase worldwide. It remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and has a considerable economic and social impact [1]. The WHO estimates that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030 [2].
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease...