Details

Arformoterol is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing. Arformoterol inhalation is used to prevent bronchoconstriction in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Arformoterol will not treat a bronchospasm attack that has already begun. Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if you think you need to use more than usual. An increased need for medication could be an early sign that your condition is getting worse. To make sure arformoterol inhalation is safe for you tell your doctor if you have heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or high blood pressure, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, diabetes, glaucoma, a thyroid disorder, liver disease or a person or family history of Long QT syndrome.

Typical Uses

Arformoterol is used as a long-term (maintenance) treatment to prevent and decrease wheezing and shortness of breath caused by breathing problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Arformoterol belongs to a class of drugs known as bronchodilators. It works in the airways by opening breathing passages and relaxing muscles. This medication does not work right away and should not be used for sudden attacks of breathing trouble. Your doctor must prescribe a quick-relief medicine/inhaler (such as albuterol, also known as Salbutamol) for sudden shortness of breath while you are using arformoterol. You should always have a quick-relief inhaler with you. Arformoterol is usually used in combination with other medications (such as inhaled corticosteroids). However, it should not be used with similar long-acting inhaled beta agonists (such as formoterol, salmeterol) since this may increase your risk for side effects.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction. Moreover, arformoterol may cause certain side effects such as bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing) chest pain, fast or pounding heart beats, restless feeling, tremor shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips or dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, nausea, vomiting, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Drug Interactions

• Arformoterol+levobunolol ophthalmic- Using levobunolol ophthalmic together with arformoterol may reduce the benefits of both medications, since they have opposing effects in the body. In addition, levobunolol ophthalmic can sometimes cause narrowing of the airways, which may worsen your breathing problems or trigger severe asthmatic attacks.

• Arformoterol+sotalol- Using sotalol together with arformoterol may reduce the benefits of both medications, since they have opposing effects in the body. In addition, sotalol can sometimes cause narrowing of the airways, which may worsen your breathing problems or trigger severe asthmatic attacks. Sotalol is normally not recommended if you have asthma, a history of asthma, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Arformoterol+carteolol- Using carteolol together with arformoterol may reduce the benefits of both medications, since they have opposing effects in the body. In addition, carteolol can sometimes cause narrowing of the airways, which may worsen your breathing problems or trigger severe asthmatic attacks.

• Arformoterol+timolol ophthalmic- Using timolol ophthalmic together with arformoterol may reduce the benefits of both medications, since they have opposing effects in the body. In addition, timolol ophthalmic can sometimes cause narrowing of the airways, which may worsen your breathing problems or trigger severe asthmatic attacks.

• Arformoterol+metipranolol ophthalmic- Using metipranolol ophthalmic together with arformoterol may reduce the benefits of both medications, since they have opposing effects in the body. In addition, metipranolol ophthalmic can sometimes cause narrowing of the airways, which may worsen your breathing problems or trigger severe asthmatic attacks.

Mechanism of action

Arformoterol is a long-acting beta agonist (LABA). It works by relaxing and opening constricted air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

Pregnancy Category : C