Foradil Aerolizer is an adrenergic bronchodilator used in combination with other drugs for the treatment of asthma and prevention bronchospasm in patients with asthma. The number and severity of asthma attacks are decreased when this drug is taken regularly.
An asthma attack presently occurring cannot be relieved by this drug. Symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease including chronic bronchitis and emphysema can also be treated by this drug.
This drug is breathed in through the mouth to open up the bronchial tubes in the lungs resulting to relief of cough, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.
This drug can also be used as prophylaxis against wheezing caused by exercise. This drug requires a prescription.
2 What to Know Before Using
Before using Foradil Aerolizer, the risks and benefits for your body should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Inform your healthcare provider for any allergic reactions to these drugs or any other drugs, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. Carefully read the label of non-prescription drugs for any possible allergic reaction or contraindications.
Studies in children 5 years of age and older have not demonstrated any pediatric-specific problems that would limit the utility of formoterol inhalation powder while safety and efficacy for children younger than 5 years of age is not yet established.
Studies in children regarding the relationship of age to the effects of formoterol inhalation solution have not been performed while safety and efficacy have not been established.
Studies in the elderly have not reported any geriatric-specific problems that would limit the utility of formoterol. Adjustments in the dose of the elderly may be required since they are more likely to have age-related heart or blood vessel disease. Adverse effects have been reported in animal studies but studies in pregnant women and animals are still inadequate.
Infant risk is still undetermined when using this drug during breastfeeding. Discuss with your healthcare professional about the potential risks and benefits of taking this drug while breastfeeding. Drugs should not be taken together to prevent any interactions but in necessary cases inquire your healthcare provider regarding the adjustments in dosage or any other necessary precautions to prevent any unwanted side effects.
Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other drugs such as:
Intake of specific food or using alcohol or tobacco with this drug is associated with an increased risk of certain side effects. Your healthcare professional can give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Inform your healthcare professional if you have any other medical problems such as acute asthma attack, COPD attack, angina, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, heart rhythm problems, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, hypokalemia, ketoacidosis, pheochromocytoma, seizures, or lactose intolerance.
3 Proper Usage
To use Foradil Aerolizer correctly, you must follow all instructions exactly as directed in the label or as prescribed by your healthcare professional. This drug is used for prevention of asthma or COPD attacks and it cannot relieve any attack that has already begun.
Consult with your healthcare professional for the right drugs to relieve these attacks. This drug must be used every day in regularly spaced doses for it to help prevent asthma or COPD attacks. Consult with your healthcare professional before you stop using this drug or other asthma or COPD drugs.
This drug should be used with a jet nebulizer that is connected to an air compressor with good air flow. The drug must be used immediately after opening the foil pouch. Twist the cap off the vial and squeeze the entire drug in the nebulizer drug cup.
Other drugs should not be mixed in the nebulizing machine. Connect the nebulizer to the face mask or mouthpiece and use the face mask or mouthpiece to breathe in the drug.
The nebulizer must be used for about 9 minutes, or until the drug in the nebulizer cup is gone. Clean all the parts of the nebulizer after each use.
Formoterol inhalation powder is used with a special inhaler and usually comes with a Medication Guide and patient directions. Dry your hands before handling this drug. Open the foil pouch containing a blister card of capsules and place the capsule only in the capsule-chamber in the base of the inhaler.
The capsule must not be swallowed or placed directly into the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece of the inhaler must be held upright, and both buttons must be pressed simultaneously once.
Breathe out fully when you hear a click as the capsule is being pierced. Exhaling into the mouthpiece is not recommended. Your head must be tilted slightly backwards and the inhaler must be kept level with the blue buttons to the left and right.
Place the mouthpiece in your mouth then close your lips around the mouthpiece and breathe in quickly and deeply. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath as long as you can and then exhale. Open the inhaler after using it, and remove and discard the empty capsule.
Do not leave the used capsule inside the chamber. Close the mouthpiece and then replace the cover. Do not wash the inhaler. Keep it dry. Do not use a spacer with this drug. You may reuse your inhaler. But use a new inhaler with each refill of your drug.
Do not use the inhaler for this drug with any other drug. The dose of this drug will be variable for different patients. The directions on the label or the prescription by your healthcare professional should be followed.
The dosage of this drug you take depends on the medical problem for which you are using this drug. For the prevention of an asthma attack in adults, teenagers, and children 5 years of age and older are advised to inhale 12 micrograms every 12 hours. Use and dose in children younger than 5 years of age must be determined by your healthcare professional.
For the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in adults, teenagers, and children 5 years of age and older are advised to inhale 12 micrograms at least 15 minutes before exercise, as needed. Use and dose in children younger than 5 years of age must be determined by your healthcare professional.
For maintenance treatment of COPD in adults, teenagers, and children 5 years of age and older are advised to inhale 12 micrograms every 12 hours. Use and dose in children younger than 5 years of age must be determined by your healthcare professional. Adults with COPD are advised to inhale 20 micrograms in the nebulizer two times a day.
A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule if it is almost time for your next dose.
Store the drug in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Dispose any outdated or expired drugs and ask your healthcare professional for the proper disposal of the drugs.
4 Precautions to Take
If you take Foradil Aerolizer, your doctor should perform routine checkups and advise you in taking precautions. Inform your healthcare professional if you are also using other drugs for COPD.
This drug should not be used if you are having a severe COPD attack, or if symptoms of COPD attack have already started. Your healthcare professional may prescribe another drug for you to use in case of an acute COPD attack.
Inform your healthcare professional immediately if the other drug does not work as well. This drug should only be used as an additional treatment for patients who cannot be treated with other asthma drugs or for asthma patients that require two drugs, including formoterol.
Seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms do not improve, or if they become worse after using this drug for 1 week. Use your short-acting inhaler more often if it does not seem to be working as well as usual.
An anti-inflammatory drug such as a steroid can be used together with this drug. It is not recommended to stop taking the anti-inflammatory drug even if your asthma seems better unless advised by your healthcare professional.
This drug can increase the chances of a severe asthma episode when they do occur. Paradoxical bronchospasm has been associated with this drug resulting to worsening of breathing or wheezing.
Consult with your healthcare professional immediately if you have coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing after using this drug.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of anaphylaxis such as rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this drug. Consult with your healthcare professional immediately if you have symptoms of hypokalemia such as convulsions, decreased urine, dry mouth, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle pain or cramps, nausea or vomiting, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, shortness of breath, or unusual tiredness or weakness. Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs, and herbal or vitamin supplements.
5 Potential Side Effects
As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Foradil Aerolizer.
Side effects may vary for each individual and prompt medical attention should be given if they occur. Seek advice from your healthcare professional immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms such as:
body aches or pain, chills, cold or flu-like symptoms, cough or hoarseness, difficulty with breathing, ear congestion, fever, headache, loss of voice, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, unusual tiredness or weakness, chest pain or discomfort, cough-producing mucous, dry throat, labored, breathing pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones, shortness of breath, tender, swollen glands in the neck, tightness in the chest, trauma, trouble with swallowing, voice changes, convulsions, decreased urine, dry mouth, fainting, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse, increased thirst, loss of appetite, noisy breathing, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, hives, itching, large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, skin rash, sweating, or symptoms of overdose such as arm, back, or jaw pain, chest tightness or heaviness, general feeling or discomfort or illness, increased hunger, increased urination, muscle pain, muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities, nausea, no blood pressure or pulse, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, palpitations or pounding in the ears, pounding or racing heartbeat or pulse, sleeplessness, slow heartbeat, stopping of heart, sudden loss of consciousness, unconsciousness, or vomiting.
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the drug, the side effects will slowly disappear. Ask your healthcare professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects persists, or are inconvenient, or if you notice any other effects, or if you have any questions about them, consult with your health care professional. Report any side effects to the FDA hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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