Brovana (Arformoterol Tartrate Inhalation Solution) Drug Overview and Uses for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 25, 2012

Brovana

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease »

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is comprised primarily of three related conditions - chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and emphysema. In each condition there is chronic obstruction of the flow of air through the airways and out of the lungs, and the obstruction generally is permanent and may be progressive over time.

While asthma features obstruction to the flow of air out of the lungs, usually, the obstruction is reversible. Between "attacks" of asthma the flow of air through the airways typically is normal. These patients do not have COPD. However, if asthma is left untreated, the chronic inflammation associated with this disease can cause the airway obstruction to become fixed. That is, between attacks, the asthmatic patient may then have abnormal air flow. This process is referred to as lung remodeling. These asthma patients with a fixed component of airway obstruction are also considered to have COPD.

Often patien...

Read the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease article »

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Brovana Consumer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

ARFORMOTEROL SOLUTION FOR INHALATION - ORAL

(AR-for-MOE-ter-ol)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Brovana

WARNING: Rarely, in patients treated for asthma, serious (sometimes fatal) asthma-related breathing problems have occurred with the use of long-acting inhaled beta agonists (such as salmeterol). Because arformoterol is similar to salmeterol, it may also cause these problems. Arformoterol is not approved to treat asthma. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

USES: Arformoterol is used as a long-term (maintenance) treatment to prevent or decrease breathing problems caused by ongoing lung diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema). It helps to reduce wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Arformoterol works by opening air passages in the lungs to make breathing easier. It belongs to the class of drugs known as long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilators.

This medication does not work immediately and should not be used for sudden attacks of breathing trouble. Your doctor must prescribe a quick-relief medicine/inhaler (e.g., albuterol, also called salbutamol in other countries) 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 corticosteroids (inhaled or taken by mouth). However, it should not be used with other long-acting inhaled beta agonists (e.g., formoterol, salmeterol) since this may increase your risk for side effects.

HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. This medication is used with a special machine called a nebulizer that changes the solution to a fine mist that you inhale. Learn all instructions for the use of this medication and the nebulizer equipment. Do not use the solution if it is discolored. Opened vials of solution should be used right away. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication does not require any mixing before use. Using a mouthpiece or face mask with the nebulizer, inhale the prescribed dose of medication into your lungs, usually twice daily (morning and evening) or as directed by your doctor. Each treatment usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Give this medication only through a nebulizer. Do not swallow the solution. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before mixing with any other medications given by nebulizer.

Use this medication regularly to receive the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. To prevent infections, clean the nebulizer and mouthpiece/face mask according to the manufacturer's directions.

Do not use more of this medication or use it more often than prescribed since this may cause serious side effects. Do not use more than 30 micrograms of arformoterol a day.

If you have been using a quick-relief inhaler (e.g., albuterol, salbutamol) on a regular daily schedule (such as 4 times daily), your doctor will direct you to stop this schedule and only use the quick-relief inhaler as needed for sudden shortness of breath. Consult your doctor for details.

Seek immediate medical attention if your breathing suddenly worsens, if this medication or your quick-relief inhaler stop working well, or if you need to use the quick-relief inhaler more often than usual (4 or more puffs daily or more than 1 inhaler every 8 weeks). Do not increase your dose of arformoterol.