Anoro Ellipta vs. Symbicort

Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium and vilanterol) Inhalation Powder and Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) are used maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.

Anoro Ellipta and Symbicort both contain a long acting beta-adrenoceptor agonist (LABA). Anoro Ellipta also contains an anticholinergic and Symbicort also contains a corticosteroid.

Side effects of Anoro Ellipta and Symbicort that are similar include sore throat, diarrhea, muscle spasms or pain, and vomiting.

Side effects of Anoro Ellipta that are different from Symbicort include sinusitis, respiratory tract infection, constipation, pain in extremities, neck pain, chest pain or discomfort, cough, indigestion, abdominal pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), weakness, irregular heartbeats, itching, rash, conjunctivitis, palpitations, hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and hives, changes in taste, tremor, and anxiety.

Side effects of Symbicort that are different from Anoro Ellipta include headache, nausea, stomach upset, back pain, stuffy nose, joint pain, and changes in your voice.

Both Anoro Ellipta and Symbicort may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), antidepressants, beta-blockers, and diuretics (water pills).

Anoro Ellipta may also interact with other anticholinergic drugs.

Symbicort may also interact with antibiotics and antifungal medications.

Common side effects of Anoro Ellipta include:

• sore throat,
• sinusitis,
• respiratory tract infection,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• pain in extremities,
• muscle spasms,
• neck pain,
• chest pain or discomfort,
• cough,
• indigestion,
• abdominal pain,
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),
• vomiting,
• weakness,
• irregular heart beats,
• itching,
• rash,
• conjunctivitis,
• palpitations,
• hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and hives,
• changes in taste,
• tremor, and
• anxiety.

Common side effects of Symbicort include:

• headache,
• throat irritation,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach upset,
• diarrhea,
• back pain,
• stuffy nose,
• muscle or joint pain, or
• changes in your voice.

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Symbicort including:

• white patches on tongue or in mouth,
• signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat),
• mental/mood changes (such as nervousness),
• trouble sleeping,
• vision problems (such as blurred vision),
• increased thirst or urination,
• muscle cramps, or
• shaking (tremors).

Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium and vilanterol) Inhalation Powder is a combination anticholinergic and long acting beta-adrenoceptor agonist (LABA) used for the long-term, once-daily, maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.

Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) is a combination of a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator used to prevent bronchospasm in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Symbicort combines an inhaled corticosteroid medicine, budesonide and a LABA medicine, formoterol.

• Inhaled corticosteroids help to decrease inflammation in the lungs. Inflammation in the lungs can lead to breathing problems.
• LABA medicines are used in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. LABA medicines help the muscles around the airways in your lungs stay relaxed to prevent symptoms such as wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These symptoms can happen when the muscles around the airways tighten. This makes it hard to breathe. In severe cases, wheezing can stop your breathing and may lead to death if not treated right away.

Anoro Ellipta may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), antidepressants, beta blockers, diuretics, and other anticholinergic drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Anoro Ellipta should be used only if prescribed. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before taking Anoro Ellipta or if you become pregnant during treatment. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Symbicort may interact with antibiotics, antifungal medication, MAO inhibitor, antidepressants, beta-blockers, or diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Symbicort should be used only when prescribed. Budesonide passes into breast milk. It is unknown if formoterol passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Anoro Ellipta is administered as 1 inhalation dose once daily by the orally inhaled route only.

For patients 12 years of age and older, the dosage of Symbicort is 2 inhalations twice daily (morning and evening, approximately 12 hours apart).