Formulary
Formoterol fumarate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Formoterol fumarate clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 5 min read
Formoterol fumarate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Formoterol fumarate clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Reversible airways obstruction in patients requiring long-term regular bronchodilator therapy,Nocturnal asthma in patients requiring long-term regular bronchodilator therapy,Prophylaxis of exercise-induced bronchospasm in patients requiring long-term regular bronchodilator therapy,Chronic asthma in patients who regularly use an inhaled corticosteroid**
- **Child** (By Inhalation Of Powder): 12-17 years 12 micrograms twice daily, dose may be increased in more severe airway obstruction; increased to 24 micrograms twice daily, a daily dose of 24 micrograms of formoterol should be sufficient for the majority of children, particularly for younger age-groups; higher doses should be used rarely, and only when control is not maintained on the lower dose.
- **Adult** (By Inhalation Of Powder): 12 micrograms twice daily, dose may be increased in more severe airway obstruction; increased to 24 micrograms twice daily.
- **Child** (By Inhalation Of Aerosol): 12-17 years 12 micrograms twice daily, dose may be increased in more severe airway obstruction; increased to 24 micrograms twice daily, a daily dose of 24 micrograms of formoterol should be sufficient for the majority of children, particularly for younger age-groups; higher doses should be used rarely, and only when control is not maintained on the lower dose.
- **Adult** (By Inhalation Of Aerosol): 12 micrograms twice daily, dose may be increased in more severe airway obstruction; increased to 24 micrograms twice daily.
**Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease**
- **Adult** (By Inhalation Of Powder): 12 micrograms 1-2 times a day (max. per dose 24 micrograms), for symptom relief additional doses up to maximum daily dose can be taken; maximum 48 micrograms per day.
**Chronic asthma**
- **Child** (By Inhalation Of Powder): 6-17 years 6-12 micrograms 1-2 times a day (max. per dose 12 micrograms), occasionally doses up to the maximum daily may be needed, reassess treatment if additional doses required on more than 2 days a week; maximum 48 micrograms per day.
- **Adult** (By Inhalation Of Powder): 6-12 micrograms 1-2 times a day, increased if necessary up to 24 micrograms twice daily (max. per dose 36 micrograms), occasionally doses up to the maximum daily may be needed, reassess treatment if additional doses required on more than 2 days a week; maximum 72 micrograms per day.
**Relief of bronchospasm**
- **Child** (By Inhalation Of Powder): 6-17 years 6-12 micrograms.
- **Adult** (By Inhalation Of Powder): 6-12 micrograms.
**Prophylaxis of exercise-induced bronchospasm**
- **Child** (By Inhalation Of Powder): 6-17 years 6-12 micrograms, dose to be taken before exercise.
- **Adult** (By Inhalation Of Powder): 12 micrograms, dose to be taken before exercise.
**Reversible airways obstruction in patients requiring long-term regular bronchodilator therapy, Nocturnal asthma in patients requiring long-term regular bronchodilator therapy, Prophylaxis of exercise-induced bronchospasm in patients requiring long-term regular bronchodilator therapy, Chronic asthma in patients who regularly use an inhaled corticosteroid for formoterol fumarate**
- **Child 6-11 years** (By inhalation of powder): 12 micrograms twice daily, a daily dose of 24 micrograms of formoterol should be sufficient for the majority of children, particularly for younger age-groups; higher doses should be used rarely, and only when control is not maintained on the lower dose.
- **Child 12-17 years** (By inhalation of powder): 12 micrograms twice daily, dose may be increased in more severe airway obstruction; increased to 24 micrograms twice daily, a daily dose of 24 micrograms of formoterol should be sufficient for the majority of children, particularly for younger age-groups; higher doses should be used rarely, and only when control is not maintained on the lower dose.
- **Child 12-17 years** (By inhalation of aerosol): 12 micrograms twice daily, dose may be increased in more severe airway obstruction; increased to 24 micrograms twice daily, a daily dose of 24 micrograms of formoterol should be sufficient for the majority of children, particularly for younger age-groups; higher doses should be used rarely, and only when control is not maintained on the lower dose.
**Chronic asthma for Oxis**
- **Child 6-17 years** (By inhalation of powder): 6-12 micrograms 1-2 times a day (max. per dose 12 micrograms), occasionally doses up to the maximum daily may be needed, reassess treatment if additional doses required on more than 2 days a week; maximum 48 micrograms per day.
**Relief of bronchospasm for Oxis**
- **Child 6-17 years** (By inhalation of powder): 6-12 micrograms.
**Prophylaxis of exercise-induced bronchospasm for Oxis**
- **Child 6-17 years** (By inhalation of powder): 6-12 micrograms, dose to be taken before exercise.
Cautions
For all beta-2-adrenoceptor agonists, selective Arrhythmias; cardiovascular disease; diabetes (risk of hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis, especially with intravenous use); hypertension; hyperthyroidism; hypokalaemia; susceptibility to QT-interval prolongation Cautions, further information Hypokalaemia Potentially serious hypokalaemia may result from beta 2 agonist therapy. Particular caution is required in severe asthma or COPD, because this effect may be potentiated by concomitant treatment with theophylline and its derivatives, corticosteroids, diuretics, and by hypoxia. M
Side effects
For all beta-2-adrenoceptor agonists, selective Common or very common Arrhythmias; dizziness; headache; hyperglycaemia; palpitations; tremor Rare or very rare Bronchospasm paradoxical (sometimes severe) Side-effects For formoterol fumarate Common or very common Muscle cramps; nausea Uncommon Angina pectoris; hypokalaemia; sleep disorder; taste altered Rare or very rare Anxiety; QT interval prolongation
Pregnancy
For all beta-2-adrenoceptor agonists, selective Inhaled drugs for asthma can be taken as normal during pregnancy. Pregnancy For formoterol fumarate Inhaled drugs for asthma can be taken as normal during pregnancy.
Breast feeding
Inhaled drugs for asthma can be taken as normal during breast-feeding.
Medicinal forms
Powder
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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