Arformoterol Inhalation

Arformoterol Inhalation is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

• Arformoterol Inhalation is available under various brand names: Brovana

Common side effects of Arformoterol Inhalation include:

• chest pain, trouble breathing;
• back pain;
• diarrhea;
• leg cramps;
• skin rash;swelling in the legs;
• stuffy nose; or
• flu symptoms.

Serious side effects of Arformoterol Inhalation include:

• hives,
• difficult breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• tremors, nervousness, chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats;
• wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medicine;
• worsening breathing problems;
• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or
• low potassium level--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in the chest, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, or limp feeling.

Rare side effects of Arformoterol Inhalation include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Nebulizer solution

• 15 mcg/2 mL

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Adult dosage

• 15 mcg inhaled via nebulization twice daily (morning and evening)

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Arformoterol Inhalation has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • cisapride
  • thioridazine
• Arformoterol Inhalation has serious interactions with at least 34 other drugs.
• Arformoterol Inhalation has moderate interactions with at least 335 other drugs.
• Arformoterol Inhalation has minor interactions with at least 15 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Allergic reaction to arformoterol

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Arformoterol Inhalation?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Arformoterol Inhalation?”

Cautions

• Arformoterol is for use only in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and should not be used to treat asthma.
• Arformoterol is not a rescue medicine. It will not work fast enough to treat a bronchospasm attack.
• Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your medications are not working as well.
• Do not use a second inhaled bronchodilator that contains arformoterol or a similar medicine (such as formoterol, indacaterol, olodaterol, salmeterol, or vilanterol).
• You may store an unopened foil pouch at room temperature but you must use it within 6 weeks or throw it away. Protect from heat and light.
• Do not use arformoterol if it does not look clear and colorless in the vial. Do not use it after the expiration date on the label has passed.

Pregnancy & Lactation

• There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women; the drug should only be used during pregnancy if the expected benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus; women should be advised to contact their physician if they become pregnant while receiving therapy
• The potential effect of therapy on labor and delivery is unknown; because of the potential for beta-agonist interference with uterine contractility, the use of inhalation solution during labor should be restricted to whose benefits outweigh the risk.
• Lactation
  • There are no data on the presence of arformoterol or its metabolites in human milk, effects on the breastfed infant, or milk production; however, arformoterol was excreted in the milk of lactating rats; developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for therapy and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from therapy or underlying maternal condition