Spiriva Respimat vs Anoro Ellipta, Ease of Use, Dosage, Costs

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Posted by Prescription Hope - See Editorial Guidelines (Last Updated On: Tue Mar 14 2023)

It’s not always clear which is more effective, Spiriva Respimat or Anoro Ellipta. So, here we’re going to provide an in-depth guide on everything you need to know about both — Spiriva Respimat vs Anoro Ellipta, with comparisons, including ingredients, applications, and costs.

But first, here’s a quick takeaway answer for you, then we’ll go into more detail and comparisons.

Spiriva Respimat vs Anoro Ellipta? Both Respimat and Ellipta are medications for treating COPD. Respimat uses one ingredient known as tiotropium. Whereas, Ellipta uses two-ingredients known as umeclidinium and vilanterol for its treatment. Respimat is used as a spray and Ellipta as an inhaler. Respimat is easy to use, but Ellipta is more effective.

COPD and related diseases continue to have a range of long-term treatment choices. However, many find one treatment effective over the other, whereas some find difficulties in understanding the differences between these treatments.

While there are many variations of treatments, this article will provide clear guidance.

First, let’s start with the ingredients, then we’ll move on to uses, dosage, costs, and how easy each is to use.

Spiriva Respimat vs Anoro Ellipta – Ingredients

The active ingredient in Spiriva Respimat is tiotropium. This ingredient is a long-acting muscarinic agent (LAMA), or anticholinergic with specificity for muscarinic receptors. It’s the only ingredient that works in the process of the treatment.

In contrast, Anoro Ellipta has two ingredients that work collectively in the process of its treatment.

The two ingredients present in Anoro Ellipta are umeclidinium and vilanterol. Umeclidinium belongs to a class of drugs known as anticholinergics. Vilanterol belongs to the class of drugs known as long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs). Both drugs are also known as bronchodilators.

How Spiriva Respimat and Anoro Ellipta Work

The main problem in patients with COPD is the muscles in the airways tightening up. This causes the airway to narrow down, which leads to breathing difficulties (bronchospasm).

So, both medications work to relax the muscles around the airways in a way it can open up and broaden the airway for easy breathing.

However, Anoro Ellipta having two ingredients, performs two different functions. This means that it can be more effective in providing easier breathing over how Spiriva Respimat works.

In Anoro Ellipta, the vilanterol is the ingredient that opens the airways by relaxing muscles around the airways in your lungs.

This is the same and only function that Spiriva Respimat also does with its only ingredient, tiotropium.

Anoro Ellipta having the second ingredient umeclidinium, is used to block the tightening of the smooth muscles around your airways.

Vilanterol and umeclidinium, in Anoro Ellipta, work throughout different yet complementary pathways in the lungs to help open airways and to keep them open.

Uses of Spiriva Respimat and Anoro Ellipta

Spiriva Respimat is used to treat bronchospasm, which is the narrowing of the airways in the lungs in adults with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). COPD includes treating bronchitis and emphysema. This treatment is also used to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.

Anoro Ellipta is used for the long term maintenance treatment of ongoing lung disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It’s also used in controlling and preventing symptoms of COPD, which includes wheezing and shortness of breath. However, unlike Spiriva Respimat, Anoro Ellipta cannot be used for asthma.

Dosage – Spiriva Respimat vs Anoro Ellipta

Spiriva Respimat should be taken as 2 inhalations of 2.5 mcg once daily. Two inhalations or the total dose daily will add up to 5mcg of Spiriva Respimat. Spiriva Respimat is recommended to be taken at the same time each day and no more than one dose in 24 hours.

Whereas, the usual dose for Anoro Ellipta is 1 inhalation per day. Each inhalation of Anoro will give 62.5 mcg of umeclidinium and 25 mcg of vilanterol. Each inhaler contains 30 puffs. Inhale Ellipta at the same time each day and like Spiriva Respimat no more than one dose in 24 hours.

Note – Anoro Ellipta should be thrown away after 6 weeks of opening or when the dose indicator shows zero (whichever that happens first).

Ease of Use – Spiriva Respimat vs Anoro Ellipta

Ease of use comes with Spiriva Respimat. This is because Spiriva Respimat comes as an inhalation spray, which releases a slow-moving mist that is easy to inhale.

Spiriva Respimat was developed to actively deliver medication in a way that does not depend on how fast you breathe in the air from the inhaler. This is beneficial for those that are elderly and weak adults who find it challenging to inhale medications with a powerful breath like in Anoro Ellipta.

In contrast, Anoro Ellipta comes with a special inhaler which is called Ellipta. Anoro is the powder that comes with the inhaler.

However, unlike many other inhaler devices that will want you to insert a capsule, Anoro Ellipta comes with a preloaded blister pack with measured doses of medication.

Every time you use it, the Ellipta device opens and loads a blister of Anoro. This system of preloaded blisters and loading blisters every time it’s used, is for greater ease of use when compared with other inhalers.

But still, when comparing the ease of inhalation, the Spiriva Respimat stands as a better option. Anoro Ellipta will require a strong or powerful inhalation to inhale the medication.

The effectiveness of your inhalation in Spiriva Respimat doesn’t depend on how fast or strong you breathe.

Cost of Spiriva Respimat vs Anoro Ellipta

The retail cost of Respimat inhalation (1.25 mcg) is around $458 for a supply of 4 grams. Whereas, the price of Anoro Ellipta inhalation powder (umeclidinium/vilanterol 62.5 mcg/25 mcg) is about $112 for 14 units of powder.

However, these prices may vary depending on the pharmacy you visit. These prices are valid for cash paying customers only and not for customers with insurance plans. We offer coupons via our patient prescription programs, so if you’re struggling to afford either of these medications, then why not come and talk to us.

Spiriva Respimat Coupon

You can find a coupon for Spiriva Respimat here

Anoro Ellipta Coupon

You can find your coupon for Anoro Ellipta here

Do Spiriva Respimat and Anoro Ellipta Contain Steroids?

There are no steroids present in Spiriva Respimat or Anoro Ellipta. As such, both medications have minimal side effects when compared to other steroid COPD medications.

Which Is Better, Spiriva Respimat, or Anoro Ellipta?

Although there are no exact clinical studies concerning comparisons on which of these two is better, many patients have reported that Anoro Ellipta works better and is more effective than Spiriva Respimat.

The reason behind this effectiveness seems to be that Anoro Ellipta uses two separate ingredients for treating two different problems (narrowing airways and tightening of airway muscles) associated with COPD. Whereas, Spiriva Respimat uses one ingredient for treating the main problem related to COPD (narrowing of airways).

Also, Spiriva Respimat will have to be used alongside other drugs to be ineffective. But in contrast, using only Anoro Ellipta will be sufficient for treating COPD, as it performs two separate functions as a whole.

To Conclude

Both Spiriva Respimat and Anoro Ellipta are effective treatments for opening your airway passages. But it seems Anoro Ellipta has more considerable advantages when it comes to what it offers, in not only opening airways but keeping them open.

As always, for a more in-depth consultation, refer to your doctor or relevant medical practitioner for advice relating to your circumstances.

If you have any questions about how Prescription Hope can help you save money for any other drugs that we offer, or if you’re having trouble affording any of the medications you’ve been prescribed, then contact us. Visit the enrollment page to create an account and fill out an application and let us save you money!