Formoterol: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Functions & Usage

What is the drug Formoterol used for?

Formoterol is a drug to prevent or reduce wheezing and long-term difficulty breathing caused by asthma or ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Formoterol is a slow acting bronchodilator. This medication is only used long-term if your asthma symptoms cannot be controlled by other asthma medications (such as corticosteroid inhalers). Formoterol should not be used alone to treat asthma. (See also the Warning section.) This medication acts on the airways by relaxing the muscles and opening the airways to improve breathing. Controlling the symptoms of breathing problems can help you move normally.

This medication is also used to prevent difficulty breathing due to exercise (exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) or exercise-induced bronchospasm).

This medicine should not be used for severe / sudden asthma attacks. For sudden asthma attacks, use your fast help inhaler as prescribed. It is not a substitute for inhaled drugs or oral corticosteroid drugs (eg, beclometasone, fluticasone, prednisone). This medicine should be used in conjunction with other asthma control drugs (such as inhaled corticosteroids). However, this medication should not be used with other slow-acting beta agonist inhalers (such as arformoterol, salmeterol) because they can increase the risk of side effects.

It is recommended that children and adolescents who need to use formoterol to treat their asthma should use a formoterol / budesonide combination product. Check with your pediatrician to find out if this product is the right product for your child.

What are the rules for using Formoterol?

Formoterol is available in capsule form. Do not swallow these capsules by mouth. Inhale the contents of the capsule by mouth using an inhaler kit, usually one capsule twice a day (morning and evening) or as directed by your doctor. The second dose should take around 12 hours. Formoterol should always be used with its own dedicated inhaler device. Use the new inhaler kit you get every time you refill your formoterol prescription. Always throw away your old inhaler kit. Do not use the spacer device with an inhaler.

Seal capsules in foil wrapping until before use. Wash and dry your hands before touching the capsules. Make sure to inhale quickly and deeply through the funnel when using this medication. Open the inhaler after use. Check if the capsule is empty. If it is not empty, close the inhaler and re-inhale. Don't breathe into the inhaler.

If you are taking this medication to prevent exercise-induced breathing problems (EIB), it should be used at least 15 minutes before exercise. Do not use more than formoterol for the next 12 hours. If you are already using formoterol twice a day, don't use it again for EIB.

Your asthma should be stable (not worsening) before you start treatment with formoterol. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you are using other inhalers at the same time, wait at least 1 minute between use of each medication.

Learn which inhalers you should use every day (control drugs) and which you should use if your breath suddenly gets worse (quick-relief medicines). Ask your doctor what you should do in the future if you have a new cough or cough that gets worse or shortness of breath, wheezing, increased sputum, worsening flow meter reading, gets up at night with difficulty breathing, if you are using a quick relief inhaler for more frequently (more than 2 days a week), or if your quick-relief inhaler doesn't seem to be working properly. Learn when you can treat sudden breathing problems on your own and when you should get medical help right away.

Taking too much formoterol or using it too often can result in decreased effectiveness of the drug and an increase in serious side effects. Do not use more than the recommended dose or use this medication more often than prescribed. Do not stop or reduce the dose of other asthma medications (for example, inhaled corticosteroids such as beclomethasone) without your doctor's approval. If you are taking a short-acting bronchodilator on a regular schedule (such as every six hours) you should stop using this medication.

Get medical help right away if you notice any of the following signs of worsening asthma: your usual dose of asthma medication is no longer in control of your symptoms, your fast-relief inhaler is less effective, or you need to use a fast-relief inhaler more often than usual (for example, more than 4 inhalations per day or more than 1 inhaler every 8 weeks). Do not increase the dosage of formoterol in this situation.

When used for a long period of time, this drug may not work very well and may require a different dosage. Talk to your doctor right away if this drug stops working well.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Formoterol?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using the drug Formoterol?

Before using formoterol,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to formoterol, any other medication, or any of the ingredients in formoterol inhalation powder or nebulizer solution. If you are going to use an inhaled powder, in addition, tell your doctor if you are allergic to milk protein. Ask a pharmacist or see the Medication Guide pamphlet for a composition.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking other LABAs such as arformoterol (Brovana), fluticasone and combination salmeterol (Advair) or salmeterol (Serevent). These medications should not be used with formoterol. Your doctor will tell you which drugs you should use and which drugs you should stop using.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are using or will be using. Be sure to mention the following: certain antibiotics including azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S, E-Mycin, Erythrocin), and telithromycin (Ketek); aminophylline (Truphylline); amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Silenor), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol labetalol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), and sotalol (Betapace, Sorine); cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the United States); clonidine (Catapres); diet pills; Disopiramid (Norpace); diuretics ('water pills'); dofetilide (Tikosyn); dyphylline (Lufyllin); guanabenz; medicine for colds; monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); midodrine (Orvaten); moxifloxacin (Avelox); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); pimozide (Orap); procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl); quinidine (in Nuedexta); Sparfloxacin (Zagam); theophylline (Theo-Taw, Theolair); and thioridazine (Mellaril). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an irregular heartbeat. high blood pressure; seizures; diabetes; aneurysms (swollen arteries that can burst and cause serious health problems or sudden death); pheochromocytoma (a tumor that can cause changes in blood pressure); or heart, liver, or thyroid disease.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about using formoterol inhalation.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using formoterol, contact your doctor.

Is Formoterol safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (A = No risk, B = No risk in some studies, C = Possible risk, D = Positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = Unknown)

There are not adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medicine during breastfeeding. Weigh the benefits against the potential risks before using this medicine while breastfeeding.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Formoterol?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: nausea, vomiting, sweating, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or feel like you might pass out.

Stop using formoterol and call your doctor if you have any of the following serious side effects:

• Chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeat, tremors, headaches, or feelings of restlessness
• Seizures
• Wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medicine
• increased thirst or hunger, urinating more frequently than usual
• Worsening of asthma symptoms

Less serious side effects may include:

• Dizziness, restlessness, headache
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Back pain, muscle cramps
• Sore throat, dry mouth, cough, nasal congestion
• Skin rash, hives
• Change in voice

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Formoterol?

Some DRUGS MAY INTERACT with formoterol. Tell your doctor if you are taking other drugs, especially any of the following:

• Corticosteroids (eg prednisone), diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), or xanthines (eg theophylline) because of an increased risk of low blood potassium or irregular heartbeat
• Linezolid, other long-acting beta-agonists (eg salmeterol), MAOIs (for example, phenelzine), or tricyclic antidepressants (for example, amitriptyline) because they can increase the risk of formoterol side effects
• Beta-blockers (for example, propranolol) because this medicine might decrease the effectiveness of formoterol or make your condition worse

This list may not be a complete list of all possible interactions. Ask your doctor if formoterol can interact with other medicines you are using. Check with your doctor before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the action of the drug Formoterol?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Formoterol?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems .:

• acute asthma attack or
• attacks of chronic, severe obstructive pulmonary disease - Should not be used if you have an acute asthma attack, a severe attack of COPD, or if asthma symptoms or a COPD attack have already started. Your doctor may prescribe other drugs for you to use in case of asthma or an acute attack of COPD.
• angina (severe chest pain) or
• diabetes or
• heart or blood vessel disease (for example, aneurysm) or
• heart rhythm problems (for example, arrhythmias) or
• hypertension (high blood pressure) or
• hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or
• hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
• ketoacidosis (acid in the blood) or
• pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland problem) or
• seizures - Use with caution. It might make things worse.
• Lactose intolerance - Use with caution. The capsule form of this drug contains lactose.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Formoterol for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for Bronchospasm Prophylaxis

To prevent bronchospasm-inducing exercises: 12 mcg of powder (1 inhalation) at least 15 minutes before exercise is required.

The additional dose should not be taken for 12 hours.

Usual Adult Dose for Asthma - Maintenance

12 mcg of powder (1 inhalation) every 12 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 24 mcg.

Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Maintenance

Formoterol 12 mcg inhalation capsule: 12 mcg powder (1 inhalation) every 12 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 24 mcg.

Formoterol 20 mcg / 2 mL inhalation solution: one 20 microgram / 2 mL vial via a jet nebulizer with facepiece or mouthpiece every 12 hours.

What is the dosage of the drug Formoterol for children?

Usual Children's Dose for Bronchospasm Prophylaxis

To prevent exercises that cause bronchospasm: 5 years or more: 12 mcg of powder (1 inhalation) at least 15 minutes before exercise as needed. The additional dose should not be used for 12 hours.

Usual Children's Dose for Asthma - Maintenance

5 years or older: 12 mcg of powder (1 inhalation) every 12 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 24 mcg.

In what dosages and preparations is Formoterol available?

Capsules, Inhalation, as fumarate: 12 mcg

Nebulized Solution, Inhalation, as dehydrated fumarate: 20 mcg / 2 mL (2 mL)

Powder for oral inhalation, as fumarate: 6 mcg / inhalation, 12 mcg / inhalation

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include:

• chest pain
• passed out
• fast heartbeat, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• Twitter
• headache
• uncontrollable shaking of parts of the body
• seizures
• muscle cramp
• dry mouth
• nausea
• dizzy
• excessive fatigue
• trouble sleeping or difficulty staying asleep
• thirsty
• difficulty breathing

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.