What Is Arformoterol Tartrate?
Like some (but not all) COPD medications, arformoterol tartrate is inhaled using a nebulizer, a device that changes liquid medications into fine droplets that are inhaled into the lungs.
Does This Medicine Have Side Effects?
As with any medicine, side effects can occur with arformoterol tartrate. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can be treated easily by you or your healthcare provider. Serious reactions are less common.
Common side effects of arformoterol tartrate include, but are not limited to:
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking arformoterol tartrate if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How Does Arformoterol Tartrate Work?
In normal, healthy lungs, air can move easily in and out of them through a network of airways. However, certain lung diseases (such as
COPD) cause the muscles around these airways to tighten. This narrows the airways and makes it harder to breathe. This is called bronchospasm.
Arformoterol tartrate is part of a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, or beta agonists for short. Beta agonists stimulate beta receptors in the body, including those on the muscles around airways. This stimulation causes the muscles to relax, which opens up the airways and allows more air to get into and through the lungs.
Arformoterol tartrate also has some effects on decreasing the activity of mast cells in the lungs, which play an important role in inflammation and allergic reactions.
Beta agonists are usually divided into two categories: short-acting and long-acting. Arformoterol tartrate is a long-acting beta agonist. As a long-acting beta agonist, it is used on a scheduled basis to help prevent symptoms; it is not used as a "rescue" medication (to be used when needed).
In a study for
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment, arformoterol tartrate was compared to a nebulizer solution with no active ingredient (a placebo). People taking arformoterol tartrate experienced improved lung function, compared to those taking the placebo. Also, this study showed that the medication started working within seven minutes and lasted for several hours.
When and How to Take Arformoterol Tartrate
Some general considerations for when and how to take arformoterol tartrate include the following:
- This medicine comes in a liquid form that is used in a nebulizer. You will need to purchase or rent a nebulizer in order to use arformoterol tartrate.
- Arformoterol tartrate is usually used twice a day. Try to separate the two doses by about 12 hours.
- Unlike some other nebulizer medications, arformoterol tartrate vials are used without being diluted. It is not known whether it is safe to mix arformoterol tartrate with other nebulizer solutions.
- Make sure you know exactly how to measure the dose and how to use and clean the nebulizer.
- For arformoterol tartrate to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. The medication will not work if you stop taking it.
There is only one standard recommended dose of arformoterol tartrate, regardless of your age or weight. As is always the case, do not adjust this amount unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Overdose With Arformoterol Tartrate
People who take too much arformoterol tartrate may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Nervousness
- Headaches
- Shakiness (tremor)
- Chest pain (angina)
- High blood pressure (hypertension) or low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
- Dry mouth
- Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (heart palpitations)
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Fatigue
- Signs of low potassium in the blood (hypokalemia), such as muscle weakness and extreme thirst)
- Cardiac arrest
- Loss of life.
If you happen to overdose on this drug, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Arformoterol Tartrate Be Stored?
Arformoterol tartrate should be stored under refrigeration, although it can be stored at room temperature for up to six weeks if necessary (after six weeks, you must discard it). Either way, keep the vials in their original foil packages until just before use.
If, for some reason, you open a foil pouch but do not use the medication, return the vial to the pouch and store in the fridge. If you open a vial but cannot use it right away, you must discard the vial.
Keep arformoterol tartrate and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your arformoterol tartrate as scheduled, simply skip the missed dose and continue with your schedule as usual. Taking two doses too close together can increase the risk of side effects. Never take a double dose.
Who Makes Arformoterol Tartrate?
Arformoterol tartrate is made by Sepracor, Inc.
Arformoterol tartrate comes in single-dose vials, with 15 mcg of medication (in 2 mL of solution) in each vial.
Generic Arformoterol Tartrate
Currently, there are no generic versions of arformoterol tartrate available
(see Generic Brovana for more information).
