Arformoterol Inhalation

Conditions Treated

Arformoterol inhalation is used to control wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; a group of lung diseases, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Arformoterol is in a class of medications called long-acting beta agonists (LABAs). It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Arformoterol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nervousness
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• headache
• dizziness
• tiredness
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• pain, especially back pain
• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting
• leg cramps

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• fast or pounding heartbeat
• chest pain
• hives
• rash
• swelling of the eyes, face, tongue, lips, mouth, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• increased difficulty breathing or swallowing

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Arformoterol comes as a solution (liquid) to inhale by mouth using a nebulizer (machine that turns medication into a mist that can be inhaled). It is usually inhaled twice a day in the morning and the evening. Inhale arformoterol at around the same times every day, and space your doses about 12 hours apart. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use arformoterol exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not swallow or inject arformoterol inhalation. Do not use arformoterol inhalation to treat sudden attacks of COPD. Your doctor will prescribe a short acting beta agonist inhaler such as albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin) to use during attacks. If you were using this type of inhaler on a regular basis before you began treatment with arformoterol, your doctor will probably tell you to stop using it regularly, but to continue to use it to treat attacks. If your COPD symptoms become worse, if arformoterol inhalation becomes less effective, if you need more doses than usual of the medication you use to treat sudden attacks, or if the medication you use to treat attacks does not relieve your symptoms, your condition may be getting worse. Do not use extra doses of arformoterol. Call your doctor right away. Arformoterol controls the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but does not cure the condition. Continue to use arformoterol even if you feel well. Do not stop using arformoterol without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop using arformoterol, your symptoms may worsen. To use arformoterol inhalation, follow these steps:

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before using arformoterol inhalation, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to arformoterol, formoterol (Foradil, in Symbicort), or any other medications. tell your doctor if you use another LABA such as formoterol (Foradil, in Symbicort) or salmeterol (in Advair, Serevent). These medications should not be used with arformoterol. Your doctor will tell you which medication you should use and which medication you should stop using. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: aminophylline (Truphylline); amiodarone (Cordarone); antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF); cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the United States); diet pills; disopyramide (Norpace); diuretics ('water pills'); dofetilide (Tikosyn); dyphylline (Dilor, Lufyllin); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); medications for asthma or colds; monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); moxifloxacin (Avelox); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); pimozide (Orap); procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl); quinidine (Quinidex); theophylline (Theo-Chron, Theolair); and thioridazine (Mellaril). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications 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; or heart, liver, or thyroid disease. you should know that arformoterol inhalation sometimes causes wheezing and difficulty breathing immediately after it is inhaled. If this happens, call your doctor right away. Do not use arformoterol inhalation again unless your doctor tells you that you should.