Indications
Arformoterol is an inhaled medicine used for long-term, twice-daily maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It keeps the airways open to make breathing easier. It is not a rescue medicine for sudden breathlessness and is not approved for treating asthma on its own.
How It Works
Arformoterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA). It acts on beta-2 receptors in the smooth muscle of the airways, causing the muscle to relax. This widens the airways (bronchodilation) and the effect lasts about 12 hours.
Dosage and Administration
The usual adult dose is 15 micrograms (one unit-dose vial) inhaled by nebuliser twice daily, morning and evening, about 12 hours apart. The total daily dose should not exceed 30 micrograms. Use only with a standard jet nebuliser and mouthpiece or face mask, and do not swallow the solution. Do not mix it with other medicines in the nebuliser unless your doctor says so. Keep a separate short-acting reliever inhaler for sudden symptoms.
Interactions
- Other long-acting beta-2 agonists such as Formoterol or Salmeterol: should not be used together.
- Beta blockers such as Propranolol: may block the effect and can cause airway narrowing.
- Diuretics, steroids and Theophylline: may increase the risk of low potassium.
- MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and medicines that prolong the QT interval: may increase effects on the heart.
Contraindications
Do not use if you are allergic to Arformoterol, Formoterol or any ingredient. It must not be used for asthma without a long-term asthma controller medicine such as an inhaled corticosteroid.
Side Effects
Common side effects include back or chest pain, leg cramps, diarrhoea, sinus or chest infections, shaking (tremor), nervousness, headache and a fast heartbeat. Low potassium and raised blood sugar can occur.
Get urgent medical help if breathing suddenly becomes worse straight after using it (paradoxical bronchospasm), or if you have chest pain, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or signs of a severe allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or throat, rash or difficulty breathing.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Information on use in pregnancy is limited. Use only if your doctor decides the benefit outweighs the risk. Beta agonists may interfere with contractions during labour. It is not known whether it passes into breast milk; ask your doctor before breastfeeding.
Precautions and Warnings
Use with caution if you have heart disease, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, seizures, an overactive thyroid or diabetes. Do not use more often or in larger doses than prescribed. Tell your doctor if your COPD worsens or you need your reliever more often than usual.
Overdose
Too much may cause chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, high or low blood pressure, shaking, headache, dizziness, low potassium and high blood sugar. Seek medical help straight away.
Therapeutic Class
Long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (bronchodilator).
Storage
Store in the refrigerator at 2 to 8°C in the foil pouch, protected from light; do not freeze. Once out of the fridge, use within the time stated on the pack. Keep out of the reach of children.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.