A long-acting bronchodilator (LABA)
Vilanterol
A once-daily long-acting bronchodilator, always part of a combination inhaler, used in asthma and COPD.
What is Vilanterol?
Vilanterol is a long-acting bronchodilator that relaxes and opens the airways, helping you breathe more easily over a full day. It is only available as part of a combination inhaler, never on its own, and is used once a day for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In asthma it is always paired with an inhaled steroid, because a long-acting bronchodilator should never be used alone for asthma. It is a regular preventer-type treatment and is not a fast reliever for sudden breathlessness, so a separate reliever inhaler is still needed.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Vilanterol — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Vilanterol is a long-acting beta agonist, a type of bronchodilator that opens the airways. It is found only in once-daily combination inhalers, paired with an inhaled steroid for asthma, or with a steroid and another bronchodilator for COPD. By keeping the airways open through the day, it reduces breathlessness and helps prevent symptoms. It is never sold or used on its own.
How it works
Vilanterol relaxes the muscle that wraps around the airways, so the airways widen and air moves in and out more freely. Because it is long-acting, a single daily dose keeps the airways open for around a full day. In asthma it is combined with an inhaled steroid so that the underlying inflammation is also treated, which is why a long-acting bronchodilator is never used alone in asthma. It works gradually and steadily, so it is not the right choice for relieving sudden breathlessness.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (long-established).
A once-daily long-acting bronchodilator used in the UK only as part of combination inhalers for asthma and COPD.
What it treats
Conditions Vilanterol is used for
Practical use
How to take Vilanterol
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Use the combination inhaler once a day at the same time, regularly, even when you feel well.
- Never use a long-acting bronchodilator alone for asthma; vilanterol is always combined with an inhaled steroid.
- Rinse your mouth and spit out after each dose, as the inhaler also contains a steroid.
- Keep a separate reliever inhaler for sudden breathlessness, as this is not a fast-acting reliever.
- Tell your prescriber if you are using your reliever more often or your symptoms are not controlled.
- Check your inhaler technique with a pharmacist or nurse so you get the full dose.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Vilanterol
Advantages
- A once-daily long-acting bronchodilator that keeps the airways open through the day.
- Comes in a single combination inhaler, which is convenient and supports steady use.
- Treats breathlessness while the partnered steroid treats the underlying inflammation in asthma.
Disadvantages
- Must never be used alone in asthma, so it is only available in combination inhalers.
- Is not a fast reliever, so a separate reliever inhaler is still needed.
- Can cause a fast or fluttering heartbeat, tremor or headache in some people.
Practical use
Good to know
The key safety point is that a long-acting bronchodilator like vilanterol must never be used alone in asthma, which is why it only comes combined with an inhaled steroid. It is a once-daily regular treatment, not a fast reliever, so you still keep a separate reliever inhaler for sudden symptoms. As a single combination inhaler it is convenient and can improve how reliably people take their treatment. Common effects include a fast or fluttering heartbeat, tremor, headache or throat irritation, and because the inhaler also contains a steroid, rinsing the mouth after use helps prevent a sore mouth or thrush. Tell your team if you find you are needing your reliever more often, as this can mean your control needs review.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- It is not suitable as a reliever for a sudden asthma attack, which needs a fast-acting reliever.
- It is used cautiously in people with certain heart-rhythm problems or an overactive thyroid.
- A long-acting bronchodilator should not be used on its own in asthma without an inhaled steroid.
Monitoring
- Reviewing asthma or COPD control and how often a reliever inhaler is needed.
- Checking inhaler technique and reinforcing mouth rinsing after the dose.
- Watching for a fast heartbeat, tremor or other effects, especially in those with heart conditions.
Side effects
- A fast or fluttering heartbeat, tremor, headache or throat irritation can occur.
- From the steroid part of the inhaler, a sore mouth, hoarse voice or thrush, eased by rinsing the mouth.
- Rarely, muscle cramps or, paradoxically, tightening of the airways straight after a dose.
Key interactions
- Other medicines that speed the heart or cause tremor (such as some decongestants) can add to its effects.
- Certain water tablets and other medicines can lower potassium further when combined with it.
- Some heart, blood-pressure or beta-blocker medicines can interact, so tell your prescriber what you take.
Available as: A once-daily dry-powder combination inhaler (paired with an inhaled steroid, and sometimes another bronchodilator).
Answers
Vilanterol: frequently asked questions
Can I use vilanterol on its own?
No. A long-acting bronchodilator like vilanterol must never be used alone in asthma, which is why it only comes in a combination inhaler with an inhaled steroid.
Is it a reliever inhaler?
No. It is a once-daily regular treatment that opens the airways through the day, not a fast reliever; you still need a separate reliever inhaler for sudden symptoms.
Why does my inhaler also contain a steroid?
In asthma the steroid treats the underlying inflammation, which is essential, while vilanterol keeps the airways open; the two are combined in one inhaler.
Why do I feel a bit shaky or notice my heart racing?
Tremor and a fast or fluttering heartbeat are recognised effects of long-acting bronchodilators; tell your team if they are troublesome or you have a heart condition.
How often do I use it?
Once a day at the same time, used regularly even when you feel well, to keep your airways open and symptoms controlled.
The wider class
About Long-acting beta agonist (LABA)
Vilanterol belongs to the long-acting beta agonist (laba) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
Browse by body system
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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