Formoterol prescription

Formoterol

Generic Name: formoterol (for MOE toe rall)
Brand Names: Foradil Aerolizer

What is the most important information I should know about formoterol inhalation?

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Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than your usual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a 24-hour period. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.

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Do not use formoterol more often than is prescribed by your doctor. Doing so could seriously affect the heart and could even lead to death.

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Do not substitute formoterol inhalation for any other asthma medications, especially if you are having an acute asthma attack. Continue to take all other asthma medications as directed by your doctor. Formoterol is a long-acting medication used to treat chronic asthma. It will not work fast enough to treat an acute asthma attack.

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It is very important that you use the formoterol inhaler properly so that the medicine gets into the lungs. Do not use a spacer and never exhale into the device. Talk to your doctor about proper inhaler use.

What is formoterol inhalation?

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Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing.

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Formoterol inhalation is used for the maintenance (prevention) treatment of asthma. It is also used to prevent asthma attacks that are brought on by exercise (exercise-induced asthma). It is used only to prevent asthma attacks, not to treat an attack already in progress. Formoterol will not work fast enough to give relief during an asthma attack. Formoterol inhalation is also used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

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Formoterol inhalation may also be used for conditions other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using formoterol inhalation?

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Before using formoterol inhalation, tell your doctor if you have

heart disease, high blood pressure, or irregular heartbeats;

epilepsy or another seizure disorder;

diabetes;

an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism);

liver disease; or

kidney disease.

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You may not be able to use formoterol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Formoterol inhalation is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether formoterol inhalation will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

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It is not known whether formoterol passes into breast milk. Do not use formoterol inhalation without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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Formoterol inhalation is not approved for use by children younger than 5 years of age.

How should I use formoterol inhalation?

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Use formoterol inhalation exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Formoterol capsules are intended for use in the Foradil Aerolizer. Do not take the capsules by mouth. Never place a capsule in the mouthpiece of the inhaler.

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Do not use formoterol inhalation more often than is prescribed by your doctor. Doing so could seriously affect the heart and could even lead to death. Generally, formoterol should not be used more often than every 12 hours. Follow your doctor's instructions.

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Do not substitute formoterol inhalation for any other asthma medication, especially if you are having an acute asthma attack. Continue to take all other asthma medications as directed by your doctor.

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Do not use formoterol inhalation to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Have another, faster-acting inhalation medication--such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), pirbuterol (Maxair), or bitolterol (Tornalate)--on hand to relieve asthma attacks.

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If you are using formoterol to prevent exercise-induced asthma, take a dose about 15 minutes before exercising. Additional doses of formoterol inhalation should not be used for 12 hours.

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To prepare the inhaler:

When you receive the formoterol inhaler, there should be a sticker on the outside of the box with a "Use by" date written on it by the pharmacist. Remove the sticker with the "Use by" date from the box and place it on the inhaler cover. If the "Use by" date is blank, you will need to count 4 months from the date of purchase and write this date on the sticker. Check the product expiration date stamped on the box. If the expiration date is less than 4 months from the purchase date, write the expiration date on the sticker. The formoterol capsules and inhaler should be used by the "Use by" date on the sticker.

Keep the formoterol capsules and the Aerolizer inhaler dry. Handle with dry hands only. Never wash the inhaler. Always use the new inhaler that comes with a refill. Never attempt to take the Aerolizer inhaler apart.

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To use the inhaler:

Check the "Use by" date on the inhaler cover (if the "use by" date has passed, replace the product). Remove the aluminum pouch covering the foil blister cards which contain the formoterol capsules.

Pull off the inhaler cover. Hold the base of the inhaler firmly and twist the mouthpiece in the direction of the arrow to open. Push the buttons in to make sure that the 4 pins are visible in the capsule well on each side.

Immediately before use, remove one capsule from the foil blister. Place the capsule in the capsule-chamber in the base of the inhaler. Never place a capsule into the mouthpiece.

Twist the mouth piece back to the closed position.

With the mouthpiece of the inhaler upright, press both buttons once at the same time. You should hear a click as the capsule is being pierced.

Release the buttons. If the buttons stick in, grasp the wings on the buttons to pull them out before the inhalation step. Do not depress the buttons a second time as this may shatter the capsule. A screen built into the inhaler should prevent any capsule pieces from being inhaled however it remains possible that rarely, tiny pieces of gelatin capsule might reach your mouth or throat upon inhalation. Capsule pieces are not harmful if accidentally swallowed or inhaled. The capsule is less likely to shatter when pierced if the capsule is removed from the foil blister immediately before use, if storage conditions are strictly followed, and the capsule is only pierced once.

Breathe out fully away from the mouthpiece. (Do not breathe out into the mouthpiece.) Tilt your head back slightly. Keeping the inhaler level (with the blue buttons to the left and right) place the mouthpiece in your mouth, closing your lips around the mouthpiece.

Breathe in rapidly but steadily, as deeply as you can. As the capsule spins around in the chamber dispensing the medication, you will experience a sweet taste and hear a whirling noise. If you have not heard the whirring noise, the capsule may be stuck. If this occurs, open the inhaler and loosen the capsule allowing it to spin freely. Do not try to loosen the capsule by repeatedly pressing the buttons.

Remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Hold your breath for as long as comfortably possible. Breathe out slowly away from the mouthpiece. Open the inhaler to see if any powder remains in the capsule. If any powder remains in the inhaler, close the inhaler and repeat inhaling. Most people are able to empty the capsule in one or two inhalations.

After use, open the inhaler, remove and discard the empty capsule. Do not leave a used capsule in the chamber. Close the mouthpiece and replace the cover. Do not wash any part of the inhaler. Keep it dry at all times.

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Refill the medication before you run out and before going on vacation.

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Store formoterol at room temperature, 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 25 degrees Celsius) away from moisture, light, and heat. Formoterol capsules come in aluminum blisters wrapped in a foil pouch. Do not open the pouch until you are ready to use the inhaler. Only remove the capsules from the foil blister immediately before use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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If you miss a dose, use only the next regularly scheduled dose.Do not use a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention.

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Symptoms of a formoterol overdose include angina or chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeats or a fluttering heart; nervousness; muscle cramps; dry mouth; tiredness; insomnia; seizures; tremor; weakness; headache; nausea; and vomiting.

What should I avoid while using formoterol inhalation?

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Avoid situations that may trigger an asthma attack such as exercising in cold, dry air; smoking; breathing in dust; and exposure to allergens.

What are the possible side effects of formoterol inhalation?

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Stop using formoterol inhalation and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following uncommon but serious side effects:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or

chest pain or fast or irregular heartbeats.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use formoterol inhalation and talk to your doctor if you experience

dizziness or lightheadedness;

tremor or nervousness;

a rash;

a cold or viral infection;

nausea; or

changes in your voice.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect formoterol?

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Before using formoterol inhalation tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), or pindolol (Visken);

a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or protriptyline (Vivactil);

a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Esidrix, Microzide, Oretic, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone, Hygroton), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), indapamide (Lozol), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), torsemide (Demadex), and others;

a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); or

a diet medicine or a decongestant.

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You may not be able to use formoterol inhalation, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with formoterol inhalation, or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about formoterol written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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