Formoterol (By breathing)

for-MOE-ter-ol

Prevents asthma attacks and treats other lung problems such as COPD. Also prevents exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). This medicine is a bronchodilator.

Drug classes

Bronchodilator (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Formoterol is used together with other medicines (such as inhaled corticosteroids) to treat asthma and prevent bronchospasm in patients with asthma. When used regularly every day, inhaled formoterol decreases the number and severity of asthma attacks. However, it will not relieve an asthma attack that has already started.

Formoterol is also used to treat symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Formoterol belongs to the family of medicines known as adrenergic bronchodilators. Adrenergic bronchodilators are medicines that are breathed in through the mouth to open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) in the lungs. They relieve cough, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.

Formoterol is also used to prevent wheezing caused by exercise (exercise-induced bronchospasm or EIB).

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Powder Under Pressure, Capsule, Liquid

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

You will use the capsule with a special inhaler device called an Aerolizer®. Do not swallow the capsule. Place the capsule into the chamber at the base of the Aerolizer® inhaler. This device opens the capsule and loads the powder medicine from the capsule into the air chamber. You then inhale the powder through the mouthpiece. Your caregiver will show you how to use your inhaler.

You will use the solution with an inhaler device called a nebulizer. The nebulizer turns the medicine into a fine mist that you breathe in through your mouth. Do not mix any other medicines with the solution. Your caregiver will show you how to use your nebulizer.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

Keep the medicine in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. Keep the inhaler and the capsules dry. With dry hands, remove capsules from the pouch just before use.

Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you also use a steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, Medrol®), certain blood pressure medicines (such as atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, Bystolic®, Tenormin®), or diuretics (water pills, such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, Lasix®). Tell your doctor if you use medicine for depression (such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, Prozac®, Sarafem®, Vivactil®), or an MAO inhibitor (such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®).

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using arsenic trioxide (Trisenox®), dofetilide (Tikosyn®), theophylline (Theo-Dur®), certain antibiotics (such as azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin, Zithromax®), or medicine to treat mental illness (such as haloperidol, mesoridazine, pimozide, prochlorperazine, quetiapine, thioridazine, ziprasidone, Compazine®, Mellaril®).

This medicine should not be used together with similar inhaled medicines such as arformoterol, salmeterol/fluticasone, salmeterol, Advair®, or Serevent®.

When Not To Use

Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to formoterol. Do not use this medicine during an acute asthma attack or an acute COPD flare-up. Do not use this medicine by itself to treat asthma. You should only use formoterol for asthma if you also use another medicine to control your asthma.

Warnings

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart or blood vessel disease (including aneurysm), heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, angina (severe chest pain), adrenal gland problem (such as pheochromocytoma), diabetes, epilepsy or seizures, or thyroid problems.

This should not be the first and only medicine you use for asthma or COPD. This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for an acute asthma attack or an acute COPD flare-up.

Use all of your asthma or COPD medicines as directed, including any corticosteroid medicine. Do not change your dose or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.

This medicine may cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which means your breathing or wheezing will get worse. This may be life-threatening. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have coughing, trouble breathing, or wheezing.

The powder in the capsule contains trace amounts of milk proteins. Make sure your doctor knows if you have a severe milk protein allergy.

If any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Chest pain, trouble breathing

Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting

Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

Seizures or tremors

Unusual tiredness or weakness

Worsening of breathing problems

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Fever, headache, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, sneezing

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Foradil Aerolizer, Perforomist

There may be other brand names for this medicine.