ANORO ELLIPTA is indicated as a maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Posology

The recommended and maximum dose is one inhalation once daily.

ANORO ELLIPTA should be administered at the same time of the day each day to maintain bronchodilation. If a dose is missed the next dose should be inhaled at the usual time the next day.

Special populations

Elderly

No dose adjustment is required in patients 65 years of age or older (see section 5.2).

Renal impairment

No dose adjustment is required in patients with renal impairment (see section 5.2).

Hepatic impairment

No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment. The use of ANORO ELLIPTA has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment and should be used with caution (see section 5.2).

Paediatric population

There is no relevant use of ANORO ELLIPTA in the paediatric population (under 18 years of age) for the indication of COPD.

Method of administration

For inhalation use only.

The following instructions for the 30 dose inhaler (30 day supply) also apply to the 7 dose inhaler (7 day supply).

The ELLIPTA inhaler contains pre-dispensed doses and is ready to use.

The inhaler is packaged in a tray containing a desiccant sachet, to reduce moisture. The desiccant sachet should be thrown away and it should not be opened, eaten or inhaled. The patient should be advised to not open the tray until they are ready to inhale a dose.

The inhaler will be in the 'closed' position when it is first taken out of its sealed tray. The “ Discard by” date should be written on the inhaler label in the space provided. The “ Discard by” date is 6 weeks from the date of opening the tray. After this date the inhaler should no longer be used. The tray can be discarded after first opening.

If the inhaler cover is opened and closed without inhaling the medicinal product, the dose will be lost. The lost dose will be securely held inside the inhaler, but it will no longer be available to be inhaled.

It is not possible to accidentally take extra medicinal product or a double dose in one inhalation.

Instructions for use:

a) Prepare a dose

Open the cover when ready to inhale a dose. The inhaler should not be shaken.

Slide the cover down until a “ click” is heard. The medicinal product is now ready to be inhaled.

The dose counter counts down by 1 to confirm. If the dose counter does not count down as the “ click” is heard, the inhaler will not deliver a dose and should be taken back to a pharmacist for advice.

b) How to inhale the medicinal product

The inhaler should be held away from the mouth breathing out as far as is comfortable. But not breathing out into the inhaler.

The mouthpiece should be placed between the lips and the lips should then be closed firmly around it. The air vents should not be blocked with fingers during use.

• Inhale with one long, steady, deep breath in. This breath should be held in for as long as possible (at least 3-4 seconds).

• Remove the inhaler from the mouth.

• Breathe out slowly and gently.

The medicinal product may not be tasted or felt, even when using the inhaler correctly.

The mouthpiece of the inhaler may be cleaned using a dry tissue before closing the cover.

c) Close the inhaler

Slide the cover upwards as far as it will go, to cover the mouthpiece.

Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Asthma

This medicinal product should not be used in patients with asthma since it has not been studied in this patient population.

Paradoxical bronchospasm

Administration of umeclidinium/vilanterol may produce paradoxical bronchospasm that may be life-threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, treatment should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted if necessary.

Not for acute use

Umeclidinium/vilanterol is not indicated for the treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm.

Deterioration of disease

Increasing use of short-acting bronchodilators to relieve symptoms indicates deterioration of control. In the event of deterioration of COPD during treatment with umeclidinium/vilanterol, a re-evaluation of the patient and of the COPD treatment regimen should be undertaken.

Cardiovascular effects

Cardiovascular effects, such as cardiac arrhythmias e.g. atrial fibrillation and tachycardia, may be seen after the administration of muscarinic receptor antagonists and sympathomimetics, including umeclidinium/vilanterol (see section 4.8). Patients with clinically significant uncontrolled cardiovascular disease were excluded from clinical studies. Therefore, umeclidinium/vilanterol should be used with caution in patients with severe cardiovascular disease.

Antimuscarinic activity

Due to its antimuscarinic activity, umeclidinium/vilanterol should be used with caution in patients with urinary retention or with narrow-angle glaucoma.

Hypokalaemia

Beta₂-adrenergic agonists may produce significant hypokalaemia in some patients, which has the potential to produce adverse cardiovascular effects. The decrease in serum potassium is usually transient, not requiring supplementation.

No clinically relevant effects of hypokalaemia were observed in clinical studies with umeclidinium/vilanterol at the recommended therapeutic dose. Caution should be exercised when umeclidinium/vilanterol is used with other medicinal products that also have the potential to cause hypokalaemia (see section 4.5).

Hyperglycaemia

Beta₂-adrenergic agonists may produce transient hyperglycemia in some patients.

No clinically relevant effects on plasma glucose were observed in clinical studies with umeclidinium/vilanterol at the recommended therapeutic dose. Upon initiation of treatment with umeclidinium/vilanterol plasma glucose should be monitored more closely in diabetic patients.

Coexisting conditions

Umeclidinium/vilanterol should be used with caution in patients with convulsive disorders or thyrotoxicosis, and in patients who are unusually responsive to beta₂-adrenergic agonists.

Excipients

This medicinal product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not use this medicinal product.

Clinically significant interactions mediated by umeclidinium/vilanterol at clinical doses are considered unlikely due to the low plasma concentrations achieved after inhaled dosing.

Beta-adrenergic blockers

Beta₂-adrenergic blockers may weaken or antagonise the effect of beta₂-adrenergic agonists, such as vilanterol. Concurrent use of either non-selective or selective beta-adrenergic blockers should be avoided unless there are compelling reasons for their use.

Metabolic and transporter based interactions

Vilanterol is a substrate of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Concomitant administration of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, clarithromycin, itraconazole, ritonavir, telithromycin) may inhibit the metabolism of, and increase the systemic exposure to, vilanterol. Co-administration with ketoconazole (400 mg) in healthy volunteers increased mean vilanterol AUC_(0-t) and C_max, 65% and 22% respectively. The increase in vilanterol exposure was not associated with an increase in beta-adrenergic agonist related systemic effects on heart rate, blood potassium or QT interval (corrected using the Fridericia method). Care is advised when co-administering umeclidinium/vilanterol with ketoconazole and other known strong CYP3A4 inhibitors as there is potential for an increased systemic exposure to vilanterol, which could lead to an increase in the potential for adverse reactions. Verapamil, a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor, did not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of vilanterol.

Umeclidinium is a substrate of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). The steady-state pharmacokinetics of umeclidinium was assessed in healthy volunteers lacking CYP2D6 (poor metabolisers). No effect on umeclidinium AUC or C_max was observed at a 8-fold higher dose. An approximately 1.3-fold increase in umeclidinium AUC was observed at 16-fold higher dose with no effect on umeclidinium C_max. Based on the magnitude of these changes, no clinically relevant interaction is expected when umeclidinium/vilanterol is co-administered with CYP2D6 inhibitors or when administered to patients genetically deficient in CYP2D6 activity (poor metabolisers).

Both umeclidinium and vilanterol are substrates of the P-glycoprotein transporter (P-gp). The effect of the moderate P-gp inhibitor verapamil (240 mg once daily) on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of umeclidinium and vilanterol was assessed in healthy volunteers. No effect of verapamil was observed on umeclidinium or vilanterol C_max. An approximately 1.4-fold increase in umeclidinium AUC was observed with no effect on vilanterol AUC. Based on the magnitude of these changes, no clinically relevant drug interaction is expected when umeclidinium/vilanterol is co-administered with P-gp inhibitors.

Other antimuscarinics and sympathomimetics

Co-administration of umeclidinium/vilanterol with other long-acting muscarinic antagonists, long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonists or medicinal products containing either of these agents has not been studied and is not recommended as it may potentiate known inhaled muscarinic antagonist or beta₂-adrenergic agonist adverse reactions (see sections 4.4 and 4.9).

Hypokalaemia

Concomitant hypokalaemic treatment with methylxanthine derivatives, steroids, or non-potassium-sparing diuretics may potentiate the possible hypokalaemic effect of beta₂-adrenergic agonists, therefore use with caution (see section 4.4).

Other medicinal products for COPD

Although no formal in vivo drug interaction studies have been performed, inhaled umeclidinium/vilanterol has been used concomitantly with other COPD medicinal products including short acting sympathomimetic bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids without clinical evidence of drug interactions.

Pregnancy

There are no data from the use of umeclidinium/vilanterol in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity at exposures which are not clinically relevant after administration of vilanterol (see section 5.3).

Umeclidinium/vilanterol should be used during pregnancy only if the expected benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Breast-feeding

It is unknown whether umeclidinium or vilanterol are excreted in human milk. However, other beta₂-adrenergic agonists are detected in human milk. A risk to the newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue umeclidinium/vilanterol therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.

Fertility

There are no data on the effects of umeclidinium/vilanterol on human fertility. Animal studies indicate no effects of umeclidinium or vilanterol on fertility.

Umeclidinium/vilanterol has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Summary of the safety profile

The most frequently reported adverse reaction is nasopharyngitis (9%).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The safety profile of ANORO ELLIPTA is based on safety experience with umeclidinium/vilanterol and the individual components from the clinical development program comprising of 6 855 patients with COPD and from spontaneous reporting. The clinical development programme included 2 354 patients who received umeclidinium/vilanterol once daily in the Phase III clinical studies of 24 weeks or more, of whom 1 296 patients received the recommended dose of 55/22 micrograms in 24-week studies, 832 patients received a higher dose of 113/22 micrograms in 24-week studies and 226 patients received 113/22 micrograms in a 12-month study.

The frequencies assigned to the adverse reactions identified in the table below include crude incidence rates observed in the integration of five 24-week studies and in the 12-month safety study.

The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1 000 to <1/100); rare (≥ 1/10 000 to <1/1 000); very rare (<1/10 000) and not known (cannot be estimated from available data).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store

An overdose of umeclidinium/vilanterol will likely produce signs and symptoms due to the individual components' actions, consistent with the known inhaled muscarinic antagonist adverse reactions (e.g. dry mouth, visual accommodation disturbances and tachycardia) or those with overdose of other beta₂-adrenergic agonists (e.g. arrhythmias, tremor, headache, palpitations, nausea, hyperglycaemia and hypokalaemia).

If overdose occurs, the patient should be treated supportively with appropriate monitoring as necessary.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Drugs for obstructive airway diseases, adrenergics in combination with anticholinergics incl. triple combinations with corticosteroids, ATC code: R03AL03

Mechanism of action

Umeclidinium/vilanterol is a combination inhaled long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist/long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist (LAMA/LABA). Following oral inhalation both compounds act locally on airways to produce bronchodilation by separate mechanisms.

Umeclidinium

Umeclidinium is a long acting muscarinic receptor antagonist (also referred to as an anticholinergic). It is a quinuclidine derivative with activity across multiple muscarinic receptor subtypes. Umeclidinium exerts its bronchodilatory activity by competitively inhibiting the binding of acetylcholine with muscarinic receptors on airway smooth muscle. It demonstrates slow reversibility at the human M3 muscarinic receptor subtype in vitro and a long duration of action in vivo when administered directly to the lungs in pre-clinical models.

Vilanterol

Vilanterol is a selective long-acting, beta₂-adrenergic receptor agonist (LABA).

The pharmacologic effects of beta₂-adrenergic agonists, including vilanterol, are at least in part attributable to stimulation of intracellular adenylate cyclase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). Increased cyclic AMP levels cause relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and inhibition of release of mediators of immediate hypersensitivity from cells, especially from mast cells.

Pharmacodynamic effects

In Phase III, 6-month studies umeclidinium/vilanterol provided clinically meaningful improvements over placebo in lung function (as measured by forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁]) over 24 hours following once daily administration, which were evident at 15 minutes following administration of the first dose (improvement over placebo by 112 ml (p <0.001^*). Mean peak improvements in FEV₁ within the first 6 hours following dosing relative to placebo was 224 ml (p<0.001^*) at week 24. There was no evidence for tachyphylaxis in the effect of ANORO ELLIPTA over time.

Cardiac electrophysiology

The effect of umeclidinium/vilanterol on the QT interval was evaluated in a placebo and active (moxifloxacin) controlled QT study involving once daily administration of umeclidinium/vilanterol 113/22 micrograms or 500/100 micrograms (pre-dispensed dose with umeclidinium at eight times the recommended dose and vilanterol at four times the recommended dose) for 10 days in 103 healthy volunteers. The maximum mean difference in prolongations of QT interval (corrected using the Fridericia method, QT_cF) from placebo after baseline-correction was 4.3 (90% CI=2.2 to 6.4) milliseconds seen 10 minutes after administration with umeclidinium/vilanterol 113/22 micrograms and 8.2 (90% CI=6.2 to 10.2) milliseconds seen 30 minutes after administration with umeclidinium/vilanterol 500/100 micrograms. Therefore, no clinically relevant pro-arrhythmic potential related to QT-interval prolongations was observed with umeclidinium/vilanterol 113/22 micrograms.

A dose-dependent increase in heart rate was also observed. The maximum mean difference in heart rate from placebo after baseline-correction was 8.4 (90% CI=7.0 to 9.8) beats/minute and 20.3 (90% CI=18.9 to 21.7) beats/minute seen 10 minutes after administration of umeclidinium/vilanterol 113/22 micrograms and 500/100 micrograms respectively.

In addition, no clinically significant effects on cardiac rhythm were observed on 24-hour Holter monitoring in 53 patients with COPD who were treated with umeclidinium/vilanterol 55/22 micrograms once daily in one 6-month study, or in a further 55 patients who received umeclidinium/vilanterol 113/22 micrograms once daily in another 6-month study and 226 patients who received 113/22 micrograms once daily in the 12-month study.

Clinical efficacy and safety

The clinical efficacy of umeclidinium/vilanterol administered once daily was evaluated in eight Phase III clinical studies in 6 835 adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of COPD; 5 618 patients from five 6-month studies (two placebo-controlled and three active [tiotropium]-comparator controlled), 655 patients from two 3-month exercise endurance/lung function studies and 562 patients from a 12-month supportive study.

Effects on lung function

ANORO ELLIPTA demonstrated improvements in lung function (as defined by change from baseline in trough FEV₁) in several studies. In one 6-month Phase III study, ANORO ELLIPTA demonstrated statistically significant improvements in trough FEV₁ (primary endpoint) at week 24 compared with placebo and each monotherapy component treatment arm. In addition, ANORO ELLIPTA demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in trough FEV₁ compared with tiotropium in two of the three 6-month active-comparator studies and numerically greater improvements from tiotropium in the third active-comparator study (see Table 1). There was no attenuation of the bronchodilator effect over time.

Symptomatic outcomes

Breathlessness:

ANORO ELLIPTA demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in breathlessness as evaluated by an increase in TDI focal score at week 24 (key secondary end-point) compared with placebo (see Table 1). Improvements in TDI focal score compared with each monotherapy component and tiotropium were not statistically significant (see Table 1).

The proportion of patients who responded with at least the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of 1 unit TDI focal score at week 24 was greater for ANORO ELLIPTA (58%) compared with placebo (41%) and each monotherapy component (53% for umeclidinium and 51% for vilanterol).

Health-related quality of life:

ANORO ELLIPTA has also shown an improvement in health-related quality of life measured using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) as indicated by a reduction in SGRQ total score at week 24 compared with placebo and each monotherapy component (see Table 1). ANORO ELLIPTA showed a statistically significant reduction in SGRQ total score compared with tiotropium in one of the three active-comparator studies (see Table 1).

The proportion of patients who responded with at least the MCID in SGRQ score (defined as a decrease of 4 units from baseline) at week 24 was greater for ANORO ELLIPTA (49%) compared with placebo (34%) and each monotherapy component (44% for umeclidinium and 48% for vilanterol). In one active-comparator study, a higher percentage of patients receiving ANORO ELLIPTA responded with a clinically meaningful improvement in SGRQ score at week 24 (53%) compared to tiotropium (46%). In the other two active-comparator studies, a similar proportion of patients achieved at least the MCID with ANORO ELLIPTA and tiotropium; 49% and 54% for ANORO ELLIPTA 55/22 micrograms and 52% and 55% for tiotropium.

Use of rescue medication

ANORO ELLIPTA reduced the use of rescue medication with salbutamol over weeks 1-24 compared with placebo and umeclidinium (see Table 1) and demonstrated an increase from baseline in the proportion of days when no rescue medication was needed (on average 11.1%) compared with a decrease from baseline on placebo (on average 0.9%).

In the three 6-month active-comparator-controlled studies, ANORO ELLIPTA reduced the use of rescue medication with salbutamol compared with tiotropium, with statistically significant reductions observed in two of the studies (see Table 1). ANORO ELLIPTA also demonstrated a greater increase from baseline in the proportion of days when no rescue medication was needed in all three studies (average within the range 17.6% to 21.5%) compared with tiotropium (average within the range 11.7% to 13.4%).

Table 1. Lung function, symptomatic and health related quality of life outcomes at week 24

N=number in Intent-to-treat population

mcg = micrograms

n/e = not evaluated

1. Least squares mean

2. Pooled data from Study DB2113360 and Study DB2113374

3. Difference in the mean number of puffs per day over weeks 1-24

A higher dose of umeclidinium/vilanterol (113/22 micrograms) was also studied in a 24-week placebo controlled clinical study and in two of the three 24-week active-controlled studies. The results were similar to those for the ANORO ELLIPTA dose and provided additional supportive evidence for the efficacy of ANORO ELLIPTA.

COPD exacerbations

In a 24-week placebo-controlled study in patients with symptomatic COPD, ANORO ELLIPTA reduced the risk of a moderate/severe COPD exacerbation by 50% compared with placebo (based on analysis of time to first exacerbation: Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.8; p=0.004^*); by 20% compared with umeclidinium (HR 0.8; 95% CI: 0.5, 1.3; p=0.391); and by 30% compared with vilanterol (HR 0.7; 95% CI: 0.4, 1.1; p=0.121). From the three active-comparator studies in patients with symptomatic COPD, the risk of a moderate/severe COPD exacerbation compared with tiotropium was reduced by 50% in one study (HR 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3, 1.0; p=0.044). In the other two studies, the risk of a moderate/severe COPD exacerbation was increased by 20% and 90% (HR 1.2; 95% CI: 0.5, 2.6; p=0.709 and HR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.0, 3.6; p=0.062 respectively). These studies were not specifically designed to evaluate the effect of treatments on COPD exacerbations and patients were withdrawn from the study if an exacerbation occurred.

Supporting efficacy studies

In a randomised, double-blind, 52-week study (CTT116855, IMPACT), 10 355 adult patients with symptomatic COPD and a history of 1 or more moderate/severe exacerbations in the prior 12 months were randomised (1:2:2) to receive umeclidinium/vilanterol (UMEC/VI 55/22 micrograms), fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI 92/55/22 micrograms), or fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (FF/VI 92/22 micrograms) administered once daily as a single inhaler. The primary endpoint was annual rate of on-treatment moderate and severe exacerbations in subjects treated with FF/UMEC/VI compared with FF/VI and UMEC/VI. The mean annual rate of exacerbations was 0.91, 1.07 and 1.21 for FF/UMEC/VI, FF/VI, and UMEC/VI respectively.

The comparison of FF/UMEC/VI to FF/VI and UMEC/VI resulted in a statistically significant 14.8% reduction in risk of a moderate/severe exacerbation (based on analysis of time to first exacerbation) (Hazard Ratio 0.85; 95% CI: 0.80, 0.91; p<0.001) and 16.0% reduction in risk of a moderate/severe exacerbation respectively (based on analysis of time to first exacerbation) (Hazard Ratio 0.84; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.91; p<0.001).

Exercise endurance and lung volumes

ANORO ELLIPTA 55/22 micrograms improved exercise endurance time compared with placebo, as evaluated with the endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT), in one study but not the second and improved lung volume measures compared with placebo in both studies in adult COPD patients with hyperinflation (functional residual capacity [FRC] >120%). In the first study, ANORO ELLIPTA 55/22 micrograms demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement (based on a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) between 45 to 85 seconds) over placebo in exercise endurance time (EET) obtained 3 hours after dosing at week 12 (69.4 seconds [p=0.003]). Improvement in EET compared with placebo was seen at Day 2 and was sustained at week 6 and week 12. In the second study, the treatment difference in EET between ANORO ELLIPTA 55/22 micrograms and placebo was 21.9 seconds (p=0.234) at week 12.

ANORO ELLIPTA 55/22 micrograms also showed statistically significant improvements compared with placebo in change from baseline in lung volume measures at trough and at 3 hours post dose at week 12 in the first study (inspiratory capacity: 237 ml and 316 ml respectively, residual volume: -466 ml and -643 ml respectively and functional residual capacity: -351 ml and -522 ml respectively; all p<0.001). In the second study, ANORO ELLIPTA 55/22 micrograms showed improvements compared with placebo in change from baseline in lung volume measures at trough and at 3 hours post dose at week 12 (inspiratory capacity: 198 ml and 238 ml respectively, residual volume: -295 ml and -351 ml respectively and functional residual capacity: -238 ml and -302 ml respectively); all p<0.001^*).

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies with ANORO ELLIPTA in all subsets of the paediatric population in COPD (see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).

* A step-down statistical testing procedure was used in this study and this comparison was below a comparison that did not achieve statistical significance. Therefore, statistical significance on this comparison cannot be inferred.

When umeclidinium and vilanterol were administered in combination by the inhaled route, the pharmacokinetics of each component was similar to those observed when each active substance was administered separately. For pharmacokinetic purposes each component can therefore be considered separately.

Absorption

Umeclidinium

Following inhaled administration of umeclidinium in healthy volunteers, C_max occurred at 5 to 15 minutes. The absolute bioavailability of inhaled umeclidinium was on average 13% of the dose, with negligible contribution from oral absorption. Following repeat dosing of inhaled umeclidinium, steady state was achieved within 7 to 10 days with 1.5 to 1.8-fold accumulation.

Vilanterol

Following inhaled administration of vilanterol in healthy volunteers, C_max occurred at 5 to 15 minutes. The absolute bioavailability of inhaled vilanterol was 27%, with negligible contribution from oral absorption. Following repeat dosing of inhaled vilanterol, steady state was achieved within 6 days with up to 2.4-fold accumulation.

Distribution

Umeclidinium

Following intravenous administration to healthy volunteers, the mean volume of distribution was 86 litres. In vitro plasma protein binding in human plasma was on average 89%.

Vilanterol

Following intravenous administration to healthy volunteers, the mean volume of distribution at steady state was 165 litres. Vilanterol has a low association with red blood cells. In vitro plasma protein binding in human plasma was on average 94%.

Biotransformation

Umeclidinium

In vitro studies showed that umeclidinium is primarily metabolised by cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) and is a substrate for the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter. The primary metabolic routes for umeclidinium are oxidative (hydroxylation, O-dealkylation) followed by conjugation (glucuronidation, etc), resulting in a range of metabolites with either reduced pharmacological activity or for which the pharmacological activity has not been established. Systemic exposure to the metabolites is low.

Vilanterol

In vitro studies showed that vilanterol is primarily metabolised by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is a substrate for the P-gp transporter. The primary metabolic routes for vilanterol are O-dealkylation to a range of metabolites with significantly reduced beta₁- and beta₂-adrenergic agonist activity. Plasma metabolic profiles following oral administration of vilanterol in a human radiolabel study were consistent with high first-pass metabolism. Systemic exposure to the metabolites is low.

Elimination

Umeclidinium

Plasma clearance following intravenous administration was 151 litres/hour. Following intravenous administration, approximately 58% of the administered radiolabelled dose (or 73% of the recovered radioactivity) was excreted in faeces by 192 hours post-dose. Urinary elimination accounted for 22% of the administered radiolabelled dose by 168 hours (27% of recovered radioactivity). The excretion of the drug-related material in the faeces following intravenous dosing indicated secretion into the bile. Following oral administration to healthy male volunteers, total radioactivity was excreted primarily in faeces (92% of the administered radiolabelled dose or 99% of the recovered radioactivity) by 168 hours post-dose. Less than 1% of the orally administered dose (1% of recovered radioactivity) was excreted in urine, suggesting negligible absorption following oral administration. Umeclidinium plasma elimination half-life following inhaled dosing for 10 days averaged 19 hours in healthy volunteers, with 3% to 4% excreted unchanged in urine at steady-state.

Vilanterol

Plasma clearance of vilanterol following intravenous administration was 108 litres/hour. Following oral administration of radiolabelled vilanterol, mass balance showed 70% of the radiolabel in urine and 30% in faeces. Primary elimination of vilanterol was by metabolism followed by excretion of metabolites in urine and faeces. Vilanterol plasma elimination half-life following inhaled dosing for 10 days averaged 11 hours.

Special populations

Elderly

A population pharmacokinetic analysis showed that pharmacokinetics of umeclidinium and vilanterol were similar between COPD patients 65 years and older and those younger than 65 years of age.

Renal impairment

Patients with severe renal impairment showed no evidence of an increase in systemic exposure to either umeclidinium or vilanterol (C_max and AUC) following administration of umeclidinium/vilanterol with umeclidinium at twice the recommended dose and vilanterol at the recommended dose and no evidence of altered protein binding between patients with severe renal impairment and healthy volunteers.

Hepatic impairment

Patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B) showed no evidence of an increase in systemic exposure to either umeclidinium or vilanterol (C_max and AUC) following administration of umeclidinium/vilanterol with umeclidinium at twice the recommended dose and vilanterol at the recommended dose and no evidence of altered protein binding between patients with moderate hepatic impairment and healthy volunteers. Umeclidinium/vilanterol has not been evaluated in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Other special populations

A population pharmacokinetic analysis showed that no dose adjustment is required for umeclidinium or vilanterol based on the effect of age, race, gender, inhaled corticosteroid use, or weight. A study in CYP2D6 poor metabolisers showed no evidence of a clinically significant effect of CYP2D6 genetic polymorphism on systemic exposure to umeclidinium.

In non-clinical studies with umeclidinium and vilanterol, alone and in combination, findings were those typically associated with the primary pharmacology of either muscarinic receptor antagonists or beta₂-adrenergic agonists respectively and/or local irritancy. The following statements reflect studies conducted on the individual components.

Genotoxicity and carcinogenicity

Umeclidinium was not genotoxic in a standard battery of studies and was not carcinogenic in lifetime inhalation studies in mice or rats at exposures ≥ 26 or ≥ 22-fold, times the human clinical exposure of umeclidinium 55 micrograms, based on AUC, respectively.

In genetic toxicity studies, vilanterol (as alpha-phenylcinnamate) and triphenylacetic acid were not genotoxic indicating that vilanterol (as trifenatate) does not represent a genotoxic hazard to humans. Consistent with findings for other beta₂-adrenergic agonists, in lifetime inhalation studies, vilanterol trifenatate caused proliferative effects in the female rat and mouse reproductive tract and in the rat pituitary gland. There was no increase in tumour incidence in rats or mice at exposures 0.5- or 13-fold, times the human clinical exposure of vilanterol 22 micrograms based on AUC, respectively.

Toxicity to reproduction

Umeclidinium was not teratogenic in rats or rabbits. In a pre- and post-natal study, subcutaneous administration of umeclidinium to rats resulted in lower maternal body weight gain and food consumption and slightly decreased pre-weaning pup body weights in dams given 180 micrograms/kg/day dose (approximately 80-times the human clinical exposure of umeclidinium 55 micrograms, based on AUC).

Vilanterol was not teratogenic in rats. In inhalation studies in rabbits, vilanterol caused effects similar to those seen with other beta₂-adrenergic agonists (cleft palate, open eyelids, sternebral fusion and limb flexure/malrotation) at 6-times the human clinical exposure based on AUC. When given subcutaneously there were no effects at 36-times the human clinical exposure of vilanterol 22 micrograms, based on AUC.

Lactose monohydrate

Magnesium stearate

Not applicable.

2 years

In-use shelf-life after opening the tray: 6 weeks

Do not store above 30° C. If stored in a refrigerator allow the inhaler to return to room temperature for at least an hour before use.

Keep the inhaler inside the sealed tray in order to protect from moisture and only remove immediately before first use.

Write the date the inhaler should be discarded on the label in the space provided. The date should be added as soon as the inhaler has been removed from the tray.

The ELLIPTA inhaler consists of a light grey body, red mouthpiece cover and a dose counter, packed into a foil laminate tray containing a silica gel desiccant sachet. The tray is sealed with a peelable foil lid.

The inhaler is a multi-component device composed of polypropylene, high density polyethylene, polyoxymethylene, polybutylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate and stainless steel.

The inhaler contains two aluminium foil laminate blisters of 7 or 30 doses.

Pack sizes of 1 inhaler with 7 or 30 doses. Multipacks containing 90 (3 inhalers of 30) doses.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.