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Uses

What is formoterol used for?

Formoterol is commonly used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a long-term lung problem that causes you to have difficulty breathing and is an illness that gradually worsens over time. 

Formoterol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does formoterol work (mechanism of action)?

Formoterol helps relax the muscles around the airways, making it easier for you to breathe. Once the muscles can relax, air can flow more easily throughout the lungs. Formoterol is long-acting, which means the medicine continues to work over a long period of time. 

How is formoterol supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Perforomist

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 20 mcg/2 mL vial of inhalation solution

How should I store formoterol? 

Formoterol can be stored in the refrigerator, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C) in its foil pouch, until it is ready to be used. Sealed formoterol foil pouches can also be stored at room temperature between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C) for no more than 3 months, or when it has expired, whichever is sooner. Keep in a cool, dry location away from heat and light. Once the unit dose vial has been opened, use the formoterol solution right away and throw out any unused solution when done. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of formoterol?

The most common side effects of formoterol are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Muscle cramps
  • Dizziness
  • Tremor
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Tiredness 
  • Nervousness 
  • Common cold
  • Trouble sleeping 
  • Dry mouth

There may be other side effects of formoterol that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of formoterol?

While less common, the most serious side effects of formoterol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Formoterol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using formoterol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Sudden Breathing Problems. Formoterol may cause the airways to tighten instead of relax, which can make it harder for you to breathe. Stop using formoterol and call your healthcare provider right away if you are having a hard time breathing, or seek medical attention if symptoms are severe. 

Heart Problems. Formoterol may increase your risk of experiencing certain effects on the heart, such as fast heartbeat, abnormal heart rhythm, high blood pressure (hypertension), or chest pain (angina). Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of these symptoms after using formoterol.

Low Potassium Level (Hypokalemia). Formoterol can cause a low potassium level, which can be serious and may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will check your potassium levels, especially if you take certain other medicines. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low potassium level. 

  • Weakness
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Muscle cramps or twitching
  • Constipation

High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia). Formoterol may increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use formoterol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use formoterol.

  • Formoterol
  • Perforomist 
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in formoterol. 

Single Medicine Treatment in Asthma. Formoterol is an inhaled medicine used for COPD. In people with asthma, formoterol should be used with another type of inhaled medicine, called an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Using formoterol alone for asthma without an ICS may increase the risk of asthma-related death. If you have asthma, discuss with your healthcare provider which inhaled medicines are necessary to help manage your symptoms.

Worsening of Breathing. Formoterol should not be used for COPD that is getting worse quickly. If you are using your rescue inhaler (such as an albuterol inhaler) more often than usual, contact your healthcare provider to review your current COPD regimen. 

Sudden Worsening of Illness. Formoterol should not be used to treat sudden symptoms of COPD. These symptoms should be treated with a rescue inhaler (such as an albuterol inhaler). 

What should I know about formoterol before using it?

Do not use formoterol unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed. Using formoterol more often than prescribed may increase the risk of serious side effects.

Do not stop formoterol without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping formoterol may cause your symptoms to come back. 

Do not share formoterol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep formoterol out of the reach of children.

Formoterol is a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA). Do not use formoterol with other inhaled medicines that contain a LABA. 

Make sure that you understand how to use a nebulizer machine before you start using formoterol. If you have any questions about how to use the nebulizer machine, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using formoterol?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if formoterol is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart problems
  • Seizures
  • Thyroid problems  
  • Diabetes
  • Liver problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how formoterol could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if formoterol passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use formoterol while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does formoterol interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between formoterol and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect formoterol.

Does formoterol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or OTC medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are taking.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using formoterol.

  • A medicine that may activate the nervous system, such as theophylline 
  • A corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • A diuretic, also called a water pill, such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide, that is used to remove extra fluid in the body or for high blood pressure 
  • A medicine that may cause a heart rhythm problem called QTc prolongation
  • A beta-blocker, such as metoprolol (Toprol XL, Lopressor, and others), atenolol (Tenormin), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to reduce blood pressure 
  • A long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA), such as olodaterol (Striverdi), arformoterol (Brovana), or salmeterol (Serevent), which is an inhaled medicine like formoterol that is used to treat asthma and COPD
  • A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), which is a medicine usually used to treat depression or Parkinson’s disease  
  • A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline,even if it is not used for depression

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with formoterol. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much formoterol?

If you or someone else has used too much formoterol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of formoterol?

If you miss a dose of formoterol, you can skip it. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at once.