Monograph Details
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Respiratory Tract
> Asthma/COPD
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FORADIL AEROLIZER |
| Manufacturer |
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Schering Corporation |
| Legal Classification |
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Rx
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| Pharmacological Class |
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Long-acting β2-agonist. |
| Generic Name |
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Formoterol fumarate 12 micrograms/inh; dry pwd in caps for inhalation; with inhaler device. |
| Indications |
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As an adjunct (see literature): For the maintenance treatment of asthma and in the prevention of bronchospasm in reversible obstructive airway disease (including nocturnal asthma). Maintenance treatment of COPD-associated bronchospasm. Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). |
| Adults and Children |
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<5 years: not recommended. ≥5 years: 1 inh (12 micrograms) every 12 hours. Prevention of EIB: 1 inh at least 15 minutes before exercise (do not use additional doses for EIB if already using regular dosing for asthma). |
| Contraindications |
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Not for treatment of acute attacks or when occasional use of short-acting drugs suffices. Do not initiate in significantly worsening or acutely deteriorating asthma. Formoterol is not a substitute for steroids. Do not exceed recommended dose. |
| Precautions |
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Not for use with other long-acting β2-agonists. Cardiovascular disease (esp. hypertension, coronary insufficiency, arrhythmias). Convulsive disorders. Thyrotoxicosis. Hyperresponsiveness to sympathomimetics. Evaluate response before altering steroid doses (may still need an antiinflammatory). Prescribe a short-acting, inhaled β2-agonist for acute symptoms; monitor for increased need. Do not use with spacers. Labor & delivery. Pregnancy (Cat.C). Nursing mothers. |
| Interactions |
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Avoid MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants, drugs that prolong QTc. Hypokalemia potentiated by xanthines, steroids, or diuretics. Antagonized by β-blockers. |
| Adverse Reactions |
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Infection, tremor (skeletal muscle), dizziness, insomnia, dysphonia, tonsillitis, paradoxical bronchospasm, β2-agonist effects (eg, hypo- or hypertension, angina, tachycardia, arrhythmias, nervousness, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis); rarely: serious asthma episode, asthma-related death. |
| How Supplied |
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Caps—12, 60 |
| Additional Resources |
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• Related Prescribing Note |
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