arformoterol
Arformoterol (Brovana) is a medication that can help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) breathe easier. You breathe in the medication twice per day using a nebulizer. Studies show that arformoterol (Brovana) can help your lungs work better and lower the risk of hospitalizations due to worsening COPD symptoms.
What is Arformoterol (Brovana)?
What is Arformoterol (Brovana) used for?
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
How Arformoterol (Brovana) works
Arformoterol (Brovana) is a long-acting beta agonist (LABA). It works by relaxing the muscles in your lungs to open up your airways, making it easier to breathe.
Drug facts
Side effects of Arformoterol (Brovana)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- General pain (8%)
- Chest pain (7%)
- Back pain (6%)
- Diarrhea (6%)
- Sinus infection (5%)
- Leg cramps (4%)
- Shortness of breath (4%)
- Rash (4%)
- Flu-like symptoms (3%)
- Swelling in arms, legs, or feet (3%)
- Chest congestion (2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dehydration
- Changes in voice
- Fast heart rate
Arformoterol (Brovana) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: hives; swelling of your face, lips, or tongue; difficulty breathing
- Sudden narrowing of your airways: difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest pain or tightness, cough
- Heart problems: dizziness, fatigue, weakness, tremor, irregular heartbeat, worsening symptoms of heart problem you already have
The following Arformoterol (Brovana) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Less common
blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
chest discomfort or tightness
chills
cold sweats
confusion
cool, pale skin
decreased urination
difficult or labored breathing
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty swallowing
dilated neck veins
dizziness
extreme tiredness or weakness
fainting
fast heartbeat
flushed, dry skin
frequent urge to urinate
fruit-like breath odor
headache
increase in heart rate
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
irregular breathing
irregular heartbeat, recurrent
lightheadedness
loss of appetite
loss of consciousness
mood changes
muscle aches and pains
nervousness
nightmares numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
pounding, slow heartbeat
rapid breathing
rapid weight gain
seizures
shakiness
slurred speech
stomach pain
stuffy or runny nose
sunken eyes
sweating
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
vomiting
wrinkled skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Arm, back, or jaw pain
blurred vision
chest discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
confusion
decreased urine
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
drowsiness
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
increased thirst
loss of consciousness
mood changes
muscle pain, cramps, or tremors
nervousness
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
pounding in the ears
rapid, deep breathing
restlessness
seizures
slow heartbeat
stomach cramps
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common
Blindness
bloody, black, or tarry stools
blurred vision
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
change in vision
change in voice
decreased vision
difficulty in moving
indigestion
leg cramps
muscle stiffness
pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
pelvic pain
skin color changes
stomach upset
tearing
tenderness in the stomach area
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Arformoterol (Brovana)
Pros
- A recommended medication for COPD
- Helps with lung function and lowers the number of COPD attacks that require hospitalization
- Some people might find arformoterol (Brovana) easier to use than inhalers.
Cons
- Takes about 5 to 10 minutes to take each dose
- Might not work as well as other types of long-acting inhaled medications like Spiriva (tiotropium)
- Need to use with nebulizer machine, which isn't ideal for someone who's on the go
Pharmacist tips for Arformoterol (Brovana)
- Use arformoterol (Brovana) as prescribed twice every day at the same times each day. This helps make sure the medication can work best for you. Don't take any extra doses or use other similar long-acting medications because of the risk of severe and life-threatening side effects from taking too much.
- Always have your rescue medication (nebulized albuterol (Accuneb) or albuterol inhaler (ProAir, Ventolin)) handy in case you have sudden trouble breathing. Arformoterol (Brovana) doesn't work to treat sudden difficulty breathing.
- Carefully read the instructions on how to use arformoterol (Brovana) with a nebulizer machine. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about using the medication.
- Keep the vials of arformoterol (Brovana) solution in the original foil pouch and in the refrigerator. After opening the pouch, keep any unused vials in the foil pouch in the refrigerator.
- You can also keep unopened foil pouches of arformoterol (Brovana) at room temperature for up to 6 weeks. Throw it away if you haven't used it within 6 weeks at room temperature or if it's past the expiration date, whichever is sooner.
- Before using each vial of arformoterol (Brovana), check the solution to make sure it's colorless. If it's discolored, throw the vial away and use a new one to be sure it's safe for you to use.
- Sit in a comfortable, upright position during your breathing treatment. Breathe as calmly, deeply, and evenly as possible until there's no more mist in the nebulizer.
- Clean your nebulizer after each time you use it. This helps prevent lung infections that can happen if you use a nebulizer machine that isn't cleaned well.
- Call your provider if your breathing gets worse. Also contact your provider if you're using your rescue medication more often than usual. These could be signs you need a change in your COPD medications.
Common questions about Arformoterol (Brovana)
Yes, arformoterol (Brovana) is one of the recommended options for people with COPD. Arformoterol (Brovana) is considered a bronchodilator since it helps open the airways by relaxing the muscles in the lungs. It's typically one of the first types of medications that someone with COPD starts taking. A study showed that people taking arformoterol (Brovana) for a year had a 40% lower risk of death or hospitalization that were related to COPD attacks than those who took placebo. Keep in mind that these people were allowed to take other COPD medications and rescue medications during the study as well. Discuss with your provider about whether arformoterol (Brovana) is right for your needs.
No, arformoterol (Brovana) is a nebulized medication. A nebulizer is a machine that turns a medication solution into a mist that you can easily breathe in through a mouthpiece or face mask. To use a nebulizer, you'll need access to a power source to plug the machine into. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to take each arformoterol (Brovana) dose.
You'll know if arformoterol (Brovana) is working for you based on how often you have difficulty breathing and need your rescue medication. The purpose of arformoterol (Brovana) is to keep your airways open so you're less likely to have shortness of breath. If you're still having difficulty breathing often while using arformoterol (Brovana), let your provider know. They might need to add or consider switching you to a different medication. Get medical help right away if your symptoms seem to be getting worse or aren't improving while taking this medication.
There isn't a set amount of time you'll need to use arformoterol (Brovana) to manage your COPD. Some people need to take COPD medications, like arformoterol (Brovana), for their whole life, while others only need them for just a short amount of time. After you use arformoterol (Brovana) for a period of time and don't experience any short-term breathing problems, your provider might slowly lower your dose to see how well your COPD is managed. It's important you take arformoterol (Brovana) exactly as prescribed. This will make sure the medication works as best as possible for you.
No, arformoterol (Brovana) isn't a rescue medication. Instead, it's a long-acting medication that works over time to keep your airways open. Short-acting medications, like nebulized albuterol (Accuneb) or albuterol inhaler (ProAir, Ventolin), are rescue medications that open your airways quickly to relieve sudden shortness of breath. If you've been using arformoterol (Brovana) as directed by your provider and still experiencing breathing problems, let your provider know. Your provider can discuss with you about whether any changes need to be made to your COPD treatment.
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Risks and warnings for Arformoterol (Brovana)
Arformoterol (Brovana) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Not for use in people with asthma
Arformoterol (Brovana) shouldn't be used in people with asthma. The medication hasn't been studied for this purpose, so it's not known how safe it is or how well it works for asthma. There are several other inhalers available that are specifically for people with asthma.
Narrowing of your airways (bronchospasm)
Although rare, arformoterol (Brovana) can sometimes cause a muscle spasm in your lungs (bronchospasm). This can lead to difficulty breathing, wheezing, cough, and chest discomfort. If you become short of breath after using arformoterol (Brovana), get medical help right away.
Heart problems
- Risk factors: High blood pressure | Heart failure | Heart rate or rhythm problems | Using more arformoterol (Brovana) than recommended
Arformoterol (Brovana) can cause changes in your blood pressure and heart rate. If you have high blood pressure or other heart problems, arformoterol (Brovana) can make it worse, especially if you take the medication more often than instructed. Watch out for worsening signs and symptoms of your heart condition. Tell your provider if you develop dizziness, fatigue, tremor, rapid heartbeat, or weakness while taking arformoterol (Brovana).
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions to arformoterol (Brovana) are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Get medical attention right away if you notice hives, rash, red skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after using arformoterol (Brovana).
Arformoterol (Brovana) dosage
Vial| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2ml of 15mcg/2ml | 60 vials | $81.94 | $1.37 |
Interactions between Arformoterol (Brovana) and other drugs
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 this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Methacholine
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Arformoterol (Brovana) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Arformoterol (Brovana) will not be safe for you to take.
- Using without an inhaled corticosteroid in people with asthma
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