Anoro Ellipta generic: Availability, cost, and more

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Anoro Ellipta?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Anoro Ellipta?
• Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium-vilanterol) warnings and side effects at a glance
• What is the price of generic Anoro Ellipta?
• What are the off-label uses for Anoro Ellipta?
• How to switch from Anoro Ellipta to generic umeclidinium-vilanterol

In this article

• Is there a generic for Anoro Ellipta?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Anoro Ellipta?
• Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium-vilanterol) warnings and side effects at a glance
• What is the price of generic Anoro Ellipta?
• What are the off-label uses for Anoro Ellipta?
• How to switch from Anoro Ellipta to generic umeclidinium-vilanterol

Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium/vilanterol) is a brand-name prescription inhaler used for the long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a progressive disease, meaning treatment is often lifelong and may require treatment adjustments to adequately manage it. In 2023, 3.8% (about 1 in 26) of U.S. adults were diagnosed with COPD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it’s the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. But treatment can be expensive, which is why patients may wonder whether a less-expensive generic version may be available.

Is there a generic for Anoro Ellipta?

Yes, there is a generic version of Anoro Ellipta, umeclidinium-vilanterol, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since April 2025. 

What are the differences between brand-name and generic Anoro Ellipta?

Brand-name Anoro Ellipta and its generic are nearly the same. Both contain the same active ingredients (umeclidinium bromide and vilanterol trifenatate) and work the same way to help people with COPD. 

“When a generic drug is approved by the FDA, it must demonstrate bioequivalence to the brand-name drug, which means that the generic drug delivers the same amount of the active ingredients into the patient’s bloodstream as the brand-name drug does. For inhaled medications, the FDA requires the generic to demonstrate device equivalence to make sure that the drug is delivered to the lungs with the same performance characteristics as the brand device. Therefore, there should be no difference in clinical efficacy between the generic umeclidinium-vilanterol and brand-name Anoro Ellipta,” says Michael Genovese, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Ascendant New York in New York City. 

In addition to being delivered the same way (through an Ellipta inhaler device), the two drugs also carry the same risks of side effects. 

Appearance

Both Anoro Ellipta and generic umeclidinium-vilanterol look very similar, aside from labeling differences. The drugs come in the same dry powder inhaler device, known as the Ellipta inhaler, which is a disposable, light gray device with a red inhaler. Each device contains 30 doses. 

Dosage forms

Anoro Ellipta and umeclidinium-vilanterol deliver the same dose, 62.5 mcg of umeclidinium bromide and 25 mcg of vilanterol trifenatate powder per use. 

Warnings and side effects 

The generic and brand-name versions of Anoro Ellipta have the same contraindications, warnings, and risks of side effects. These drugs are contraindicated (not for) people who are allergic to milk proteins or any of its ingredients, and those who already use a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) drug such as Serevent (salmeterol) or Brovana (arformoterol).

Anoro Ellipta and umeclidinium-vilanterol are LABA drugs that don’t contain an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). These drugs aren’t recommended for people with asthma because the safety and effectiveness of LABA drugs without an ICS hasn’t been studied. In addition, Anoro Ellipta and umeclidinium-vilanterol are only used as a maintenance treatment for COPD. People with worsening COPD symptoms should see their healthcare provider right away to help manage their symptoms adequately. 

Other warnings of Anoro Ellipta and umeclidinium-vilanterol include:

• Not to be used with other LABAs
• Interacts with other medications that inhibit the liver enzyme Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) 3A4
• Can cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which needs immediate treatment with a short-acting bronchodilator (SABA)
• Can increase heart rate or blood pressure; can cause heart rhythm irregularities such as supraventricular tachycardia
• Caution in people with convulsive disorders, thyrotoxicosis, Type 2 diabetes, or ketoacidosis
• Can worsen narrow-angle glaucoma
• Can worsen urinary retention, especially in people with enlarged prostate glands or bladder obstructions
• Can cause low potassium levels and high blood sugar 

Common side effects of the brand-name and generic versions of Anoro Ellipta include:

• Diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Pain in extremities
• Sinusitis and lung infections
• Constipation
• Muscle spasms, neck pain, and chest pain

Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium-vilanterol) warnings and side effects at a glance
Uses	Maintenance treatment of COPD
Standard dosage	62.5 mcg umeclidinium/25 mcg vilanterol
Common side effects	Diarrhea Sore throat Increase in heart rate or blood pressure Low potassium levels  High blood sugar
Contraindications	People allergic to ingredients People with asthma People already taking a LABA
Other considerations	Can interact with other drugs that affect CYP450 3A4 Can cause paradoxical bronchospasm Can cause changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rhythm Can worsen narrow-angle glaucoma and urinary retention

What is the price of generic Anoro Ellipta?

Though it’s not typical, the average costs of brand-name Anoro Ellipta and umeclidium-vilanterol aren’t much different. Brand-name Anoro Ellipta costs an average of $583 for 1, 60-blister inhaler without insurance. In comparison, generic umeclidinium vilanterol costs an average of $598 for 1, 60-blister inhaler without insurance. Prices of these medications can vary greatly by location and pharmacy.

In some cases, it may take time for generic drugs to become more affordable than brand-name versions. As in the case of umeclidium-vilanterol, generic versions may cost just as much or even more without insurance until more generic manufacturers produce competing versions of the drug.

COPD Coupons & Resources

If you have insurance coverage for prescription medications, your cost could be lower if your plan covers either version of the drug. “Anoro Ellipta is often a Tier 3 or Tier 4 specialty medication, meaning that the patient will have a high copay or coinsurance for the brand-name medication, and prior authorization is commonly required. The generic version is usually placed as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 medication, which can heavily reduce out-of-pocket costs for the patient and eliminates the need for prior authorization,” Dr. Genovese says.

Even though generic umeclidinium-vilanterol costs just as much as brand-name Anoro Ellipta, using a SingleCare coupon can make the generic version more affordable. For example, Anoro Ellipta can cost $480 for one, 60-blister inhaler with a SingleCare coupon, while generic umeclidinium-vilanterol can cost $308 for one, 60-blister inhaler. This is a savings of 36%, and over a year, you can save more than $2,000 on your COPD medications with SingleCare. 

If you’re using insurance benefits, your COPD prescription can be more affordable. According to drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline, brand-name Anoro Ellipta is covered without restrictions for 79% of patients with Medicare Part D and 89% of patients with commercial insurance. 

Brand vs. generic Anoro Ellipta prices
	Brand-name Anoro Ellipta	Anoro Ellipta generic (umeclidinium vilanterol)
Average cost without insurance	$583 for one 60-blister inhaler	$598 for one 60-blister inhaler
SingleCare’s lowest price	$480 for one 60-blister inhaler of brand-name Anoro Ellipta at Kroger	$308 for one 60-blister inhaler at Walgreens
Free coupons	Get Anoro Ellipta coupons	Get umeclidinium vilanterol coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jan. 6, 2026. Click the link under “Get coupon” to see the latest drug prices.

What are the off-label uses for Anoro Ellipta? 

There aren’t any off-label uses for Anoro Ellipta, but it’s important to know that Anoro Ellipta and its generic umeclidinium-vilanterol aren’t meant to be used outside of maintenance treatment for COPD. Although inhalers may be used in people with asthma or those experiencing worsening (acute episodes, flare-ups) of COPD, there are different types of inhalers available for these situations. 

Short-acting inhalers, also known as rescue inhalers, contain short-acting beta agonist (SABA) drugs to help open the airways during an asthma or COPD attack. Examples of rescue inhalers include Ventolin HFA (albuterol HFA) and Xopenex (levalbuterol tartarate).

How to switch from Anoro Ellipta to generic umeclidinium-vilanterol

Switching from Anoro Ellipta to the generic version can be straightforward. Both products contain the same active ingredients and in the same doses. They’re taken once a day using the same Ellipta device, so how you take your daily dose is the same. Because they’re maintenance inhalers, they require daily doses without tapering, meaning you can typically stop the brand-name inhaler one day and begin the generic the next without any interruption in your treatment.

In fact, pharmacists can substitute generic umeclidinium-vilanterol even if the prescription is written for Anoro Ellipta. This is because the medications are equivalent in dose and are approved for the same use. However, if your prescriber marks the prescription as “dispense as written (DAW),” the pharmacist must provide exactly what’s written. 

Still, it’s best to make the switch under your healthcare provider’s medical guidance. “I also like to schedule follow-ups after switching medications to assess that the patient maintains proper technique and that the medication works well for them,” Dr. Genovese says. Healthcare providers can confirm the generic is appropriate for you and make sure you’re using the correct inhaler technique. Using the inhaler correctly can make a difference in symptom control, explains Maria Knobel, MD, general practitioner and Medical Director of Medical Cert UK. “Even a 4% variation in airflow resistance affects the set depth of the powder in the smaller airways.” This can manifest as trouble breathing in the morning or fatigue even after short walks, she says. 

There are no reported withdrawal symptoms from stopping Anoro Ellipta, but you run a risk if you miss doses or stop the drug suddenly. Because both Anoro Ellipta and umeclidinium-vilanterol are maintenance inhalers, going without daily treatment can cause COPD symptoms to worsen. This can cause increased shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, or worsening lung function. These symptoms are signs that your airways aren’t staying open for easy breathing.

If you miss doses or have trouble refilling your inhaler, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. They can help support continuous treatment, assess whether you need additional support (e.g., a rescue inhaler), and guide you if you’re switching to generic umeclidinium-vilanterol. 

Bottom line

Anoro Ellipta has a generic, umeclidinium-vilanterol, which contains the same active ingredients, delivers the same dose, and uses the same Ellipta device as the brand-name Anoro Ellipta inhaler. Both versions carry the same potential side effects and safety warnings. While generics are typically more affordable, the price difference between Anoro Ellipta and its generic version is modest. However, you can still save up to 36% by using a SingleCare coupon to fill your generic umeclidinium-vilanterol prescription.

Going from taking Anoro Ellipta to the generic version can be straightforward, but it’s still important to review the change with your healthcare provider to make sure that it’s the right fit for your COPD treatment. To help prevent worsening COPD symptoms, be sure to take your daily doses regularly, as directed. 

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