Formoterol (Inhalation-Local)

Brand name(s): Foradil

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For formoterol, the following should be considered:

Allergies-Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to formoterol or inhaled lactose. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy-Formoterol has not been studied in pregnant women. However, animal studies have shown an increase in the number of birth defects and other negative effects on the fetus

Breast-feeding-It is not known if inhaled formoterol is distributed in human breast milk. However, it is distributed in rat milk. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children-Studies on this medicine been done only in patients 5 years of age and older, and there is no specific information comparing use of formoterol in children less than 5 years of age with use in other age groups.

Older adults-This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines-Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking formoterol, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Antidepressants, tricyclic (amitriptyline [e.g. Elavil], amoxapine [e.g. Asendin], clomipramine [e.g. Anafranil], desipramine [e.g. Norpramin], doxepin [e.g. Adapin, Sinequan, or Zonalon], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g. Aventyl or Pamelor], protriptyline [e.g. Vivactil]) or
• Disopyramide (e.g. Norpace) or
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (furazolidine [e.g., Furoxone], isocarboxazid [e.g. Marplan], phenelzine [e.g. Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g. Parnate]) or
• Phenothiazines (chlorpromazine [e.g. Thorazine], haloperidol [e.g. Haldol], methdilazine [e.g. Tacaryl], prochlorperazine [e.g. Compazine], promethazine [e.g. Phenergan], trimeprazine [e.g. Temaril]) or
• Procainamide (e.g. Procan SR, Procanbid, or Pronestyl) or
• Quinidine (e.g. Quinaglute) or

• Beta-receptor blocking agents (acebutolol [e.g. Sectral], atenolol [e.g. Tenormin], betoxolol [e.g. Frisium], bisoprolol [e.g. Zebeta], carteolol [e.g. Cartrol or Ocupress], carvedilol [e.g. Coreg], esmolol [e.g. Brevibloc], labetalol [e.g. Normodyne or Trandate], metoprolol [e.g. Lopressor or Toprol XL], nadolol [e.g. Corgard], oxprenolol [e.g. Trasicor], penbutolol [e.g. Levatol], pindolol [e.g. Visken], propranolol [e.g. Inderal], sotalol [e.g. Betapace], or timolol [e.g. Blocadren or Timoptic]

Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of formoterol. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Acutely deteriorating asthma

• Blocked heart or
• High blood pressure or
• Irregular heartbeat or
• Structural problems with the heart or
• Weak heart, unable to circulate blood effectively-Risk of increased side effects

• Diabetes-Risk of increased side effects

• Overactive thyroid
• Seizures or
• Strong response to this kind of medicine-Risk of increased side effects

Last Revised: 04/03/2002