Anoro Ellipta interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Anoro Ellipta interactions with other medications  

Before you start treatment with Anoro Ellipta, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Anoro Ellipta interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Anoro Ellipta and other interactions” section.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with Anoro Ellipta. Keep in mind that this table doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Anoro Ellipta. Some of these interactions are described in detail in “Drug interactions in depth.”

When to avoid Anoro Ellipta

In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Anoro Ellipta due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of Anoro Ellipta include:

Having had an allergic reaction to Anoro Ellipta or any of its ingredients

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Anoro Ellipta or any of its ingredients (including lactose), your doctor will likely not prescribe Anoro Ellipta. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Having asthma and using Anoro Ellipta without an inhaled corticosteroid

If you have asthma, your doctor will likely not prescribe Anoro Ellipta unless you’re also taking an inhaled corticosteroid. That’s because if you have asthma, using vilanterol (one of the active drugs in Anoro Ellipta) without an inhaled corticosteroid can increase your risk of asthma-related death.

Anoro Ellipta is not FDA approved to treat asthma. If you have asthma, talk with your doctor about whether Anoro Ellipta is right for you.

Note: Before you start treatment with Anoro Ellipta, it’s important to tell your doctor if these contraindications apply to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Anoro Ellipta.

Anoro Ellipta interaction with alcohol

There are no known interactions between Anoro Ellipta and alcohol.

However, keep in mind that regularly drinking alcohol can worsen the condition you’re taking Anoro Ellipta to treat. For example, if you have COPD, regularly drinking alcohol may worsen your symptoms. It may also raise your risk of lung infections.

If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Anoro Ellipta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug interactions in depth

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Anoro Ellipta.

Certain antifungals

Antifungals are used to treat fungal infections.

Interaction result: Taking Anoro Ellipta with certain antifungals can raise your risk of certain side effects of Anoro Ellipta. These include increased blood pressure and heart problems, such as a fast or irregular heartbeat.

Interaction explained: Certain antifungals slow the action of an enzyme (a type of protein) in your body called cytochrome p450 (CYP) 3A4. This enzyme helps clear vilanterol (one of the active drugs in Anoro Ellipta) from your body. By slowing the action of CYP3A4, these antifungals can cause vilanterol to build up in your body. Having a higher level of vilanterol in your body can raise your risk of side effects from the medication.

Examples of antifungal drugs: Here are some antifungals that may interact with Anoro Ellipta:

• itraconazole (Sporanox)
• ketoconazole
• voriconazole (Vfend)

Steps you or your doctor may take: If your doctor prescribes one of these antifungals with Anoro Ellipta, they may monitor you more closely for side effects of Anoro Ellipta. For example, they may monitor your heart rate and blood pressure.

If you take one of these antifungals with Anoro Ellipta, tell your doctor right away if you have new or increased side effects from Anoro Ellipta. In particular, tell your doctor if you have symptoms of heart problems, such as fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting.

If you have questions about taking antifungals with Anoro Ellipta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Certain diuretics

Diuretics are used to treat high blood pressure and edema.

Interaction result: Taking certain diuretics with Anoro Ellipta can raise your risk of certain side effects of Anoro Ellipta. These include hypokalemia (low potassium level) and irregular heart rhythms.

Interaction explained: Vilanterol (one of the active drugs in Anoro Ellipta) can cause hypokalemia. Certain diuretics can also cause hypokalemia. So taking these drugs together can raise your risk of hypokalemia. Vilanterol can also cause irregular heart rhythms. If you develop hypokalemia, it can raise your risk of irregular heart rhythms with Anoro Ellipta.

Examples of diuretic drugs: Here are some diuretic drugs that may interact with Anoro Ellipta:

• bumetanide (Bumex)
• furosemide (Lasix)
• hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)

Steps you or your doctor may take: If your doctor prescribes one of these diuretics with Anoro Ellipta, they may check your potassium levels from time to time.

If you take one of these diuretics with Anoro Ellipta, tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of hypokalemia. These can include muscle cramps, constipation, and fatigue. Also tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of irregular heart rhythms. These can include a feeling as if your heart is racing, pounding, or skipping beats; dizziness; and fainting.

If you have questions about taking Anoro Ellipta with diuretics, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Anticholinergics

Anticholinergics are used to treat several conditions, including overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, and COPD.

Interaction result: Taking Anoro Ellipta with anticholinergics can raise your risk of certain side effects of Anoro Ellipta and anticholinergics.

Interaction explained: Umeclidinium (one of the active drugs in Anoro Ellipta) is an anticholinergic. Taking Anoro Ellipta with other anticholinergic drugs can raise your risk of side effects from this group of drugs. These can include dry mouth, constipation, trouble urinating, and blurry vision.

Examples of anticholinergic drugs: Here are some anticholinergic drugs that may interact with Anoro Ellipta:

• benztropine
• oxybutynin (Oxytrol)
• scopolamine

Steps you or your doctor may take: Your doctor will typically avoid prescribing Anoro Ellipta with anticholinergic drugs. Talk with your doctor about other treatment options that may be safer for you.

If you take Anoro Ellipta with an anticholinergic, tell your doctor right away if you have new or increased side effects.

If you have questions about taking Anoro Ellipta with anticholinergics, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Anoro Ellipta and other interactions

Anoro Ellipta may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Anoro Ellipta.

Anoro Ellipta and supplements

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Anoro Ellipta and herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Anoro Ellipta. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Anoro Ellipta treatment.

Anoro Ellipta and vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Anoro Ellipta. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Anoro Ellipta.

Anoro Ellipta interactions with food

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with Anoro Ellipta.

Specifically, grapefruit products can stop your body from breaking down vilanterol (one of the active drugs in Anoro Ellipta). This raises the level of vilanterol in your body, which increases your risk of side effects of Anoro Ellipta. Examples include increased blood pressure and heart problems such as fast or irregular heartbeat.

Due to this risk, your doctor may recommend not consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking the drug.

Caffeine can also interact with Anoro Ellipta.

Caffeine is found in beverages such as tea, coffee, and energy drinks. It’s also found in chocolate. Both caffeine and Anoro Ellipta can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. So you may have a raised risk of these side effects if you consume caffeine while taking Anoro Ellipta.

Because of this, your doctor may recommend limiting your caffeine intake while taking Anoro Ellipta.

If you have questions about consuming other foods or beverages during Anoro Ellipta treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Anoro Ellipta and vaccines

There aren’t any known interactions between Anoro Ellipta and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Anoro Ellipta and lab tests

Anoro Ellipta isn’t known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.

ANORO ELLIPTA AND CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Anoro Ellipta. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Anoro Ellipta. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Anoro Ellipta treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Anoro Ellipta and health-related interactions

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Anoro Ellipta. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Anoro Ellipta may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Anoro Ellipta include:

• Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Anoro Ellipta or any of its ingredients (including lactose), your doctor will likely not prescribe Anoro Ellipta. For more information, see the “When to avoid Anoro Ellipta” section. Ask your doctor about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
• Asthma: If you have asthma, you should not take Anoro Ellipta unless you’re also taking an inhaled corticosteroid. For more information, see the “When to avoid Anoro Ellipta” section. Note that Anoro Ellipta is not FDA approved to treat asthma. If you have asthma, talk with your doctor about whether Anoro Ellipta is right for you.
• High blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, taking Anoro Ellipta could make it worse. Your doctor will likely monitor your blood pressure closely while you’re taking this medication.
• Heart problems: If you have a heart problem, such as heart failure or an irregular heart rhythm, taking Anoro Ellipta could worsen your condition. Talk with your doctor about whether the medication is right for you.
• Hyperthyroidism: If you have hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid hormones), taking Anoro Ellipta can make your symptoms worse. Talk with your doctor about whether the medication is right for you.
• Trouble urinating: If you have trouble urinating (due to an enlarged prostate or a blockage in your bladder, for example), taking Anoro Ellipta can make it worse. Talk with your doctor about whether the medication is right for you.
• Seizure disorders: If you have a seizure disorder such as epilepsy, taking Anoro Ellipta could make your condition worse. Talk with your doctor about whether the medication is right for you.
• Narrow-angle glaucoma: If you have narrow-angle glaucoma, taking Anoro Ellipta can worsen your symptoms. Talk with your doctor about whether the medication is right for you.
• Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Anoro Ellipta while breastfeeding. There isn’t enough information to determine whether the drug passes into breast milk or what effects Anoro Ellipta may have on a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before taking Anoro Ellipta. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed a child who is breastfed.
• Pregnancy: There have not been enough clinical trials to determine whether Anoro Ellipta is safe to use while pregnant. In some animal studies, the drug caused congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects). However, these studies used much higher doses of the drug than are used in humans. Also, animal studies do not always indicate what may happen in humans. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Anoro Ellipta. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you.

Preventing interactions

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Anoro Ellipta. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

• Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
• Create a medication listTrusted Source, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Anoro Ellipta label and other paperworkTrusted Source that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Anoro Ellipta doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Anoro Ellipta by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.