Formoterol (Foradil) indications and contraindications: edoc:"Indications-Prophylaxis and treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease, such as bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis, with/without emphysema. Prophylaxis of bronchospasm induced by excercise challerge, inhaled allergens and non specific irritants. Contra-Indications-Hypersensitivity to formoterol and other beta-2 adrenergic stimulants. Tachycardia, 3rd degree AV block, idiopathic subvulvular aortic stenosis, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, prolonged QT interval eg.congenital or drug induced, thyrotoxicosis. Safety in pregnancy, lactation and children under the age of 6 years has not been established."
http://www.edoc.co.za/medilink/actives/447.html


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Formoterol (Foradil) description:medlineplus:"Formoterol (for–MOE–tur–all ) belongs to the family of medicines known as beta 2-agonists. It is used to help prevent the symptoms of asthma. When used regularly every day, inhaled formoterol decreases the number and severity of asthma attacks. However, it will not relieve an asthma attack that has already started. Inhaled formoterol works by preventing certain cells in the lungs and breathing passages from releasing substances that cause asthma symptoms. This medicine should be taken with other asthma medicines known as corticosteroids Formoterol is also used for patients with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). These are diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form: Inhalation Capsule for inhalation (U.S. and Canada)"
U.S. National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
custserv@nlm.nih.gov
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/500269.html#SXX06

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Precautions when taking Formoterol (Foradil):usadrug.com:"Wear medical alert identification for asthma. Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and anxiety. For exercise-induced asthma, take at least 15 minutes before you start exercise. Do not take another dose for at least 12 hours. Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved. Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding."
http://www.usadrug.com/IMCAccess/ConsDrugs/Formoterolcd.shtml

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Persistent Pediatric Asthma Better Controlled With Formoterol (Foradil) Aerolizer:pslgroup:"Foradil® Aerolizer™ (formoterol fumarate inhalation powder) reduced symptoms and improved disease management in children with persistent asthma uncontrolled by inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) alone. These results were presented at the 97th annual American Thoracic Society meeting here. Foradil Aerolizer was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in February 2001 and is now available by prescription. "Uncontrolled asthma drastically affects a child’s life, whether it be on the playground, in the classroom or at home," said George Bensch, M.D., a study investigator and partner in the Allergy, Immunology and Asthma Medical Group, Stockton, California. "Our research shows that by adding Foradil Aerolizer to standard ICS therapy, children can better control their disease."
http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1fc0a2.htm

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Formoterol (Foradil) special warnings:gettingwell.com:"Your doctor will probably prescribe additional medications for use along with Foradil. Steroid inhalers such as Beclovent and Flovent fight inflammation in the airways. Short-acting airway openers such as Proventil and Ventolin relieve acute attacks. Be sure to use these medications exactly as prescribed. Do not change the dosage or stop using them without consulting your doctor. Be sure to keep track of how often you use your short-acting inhaler for relief of acute asthma symptoms. Your doctor will use this information to help determine how well Foradil is working. Notify your doctor if your symptoms worsen, if you need more inhalations of the short-acting inhaler than usual, or if Foradil seems to be getting less effective. Keep track of your peak flow readings, too. Call your doctor if you notice a drop in this measurement of lung capacity. Do not use Foradil more often than prescribed. Excessive use can cause heart irregularities. Use Foradil with caution if you have any kind of heart disorder or high blood pressure. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience palpitations, chest pain, rapid heart rate, or tremor. Do not use Foradil in combination with Serevent, Advair Diskus, or other long-acting inhalers. They contain the same type of active ingredient and will provide no extra benefit. If you've been using a short-acting inhaler on a routine basis, you should stop using it regularly and reserve it for occasional relief of acute attacks. Call your doctor immediately if you develop hives, rash, or swelling, or if you have an asthma attack that does not respond to your usual medication. Foradil has been known to cause allergic reactions and acute asthma attacks"
http://www.gettingwell.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/FOR1575.shtml

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Possible side effects of Formoterol (Foradil):lung.ca:"Foradil® capsules for inhalation contains formoterol fumarate. Like all drugs, formoterol can cause unwanted effects in some people. The severity and duration of unwanted effects are dependant on many factors including duration of therapy, dose, and individual response. Usually these unwanted effects are mild and disappear shortly after starting formoterol. headache tremor slight palpitations (awareness of heart beat) throat irritation Uncommon: muscle cramps rapid heart rate agitation restlessness insomnia Rare: allergic reaction (rash, swelling of face and throat) worsening of asthma symptoms Check with your pharmacist or doctor if mild effects persist and become bothersome or if more severe effects occur."
http://www.lung.ca/drugs/pages/272.html

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Possible drug interactions with Formoterol (Foradil):ahealthyme:"Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially of: beta- blockers (e.g. propranolol, labetalol, timolol), adrenaline-like drugs (e.g., sympathomimetics such as pseudoephedrine), other drugs used for asthma (e.g. corticosteroids, theophylline), "water pills" (e.g. hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine). Report other drugs which affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation), such as: dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, sparfloxacin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval"
http://www.ahealthyme.com/viewmonograph?selectedDrugId=255854&selectedDrugDescription=Foradil+Aerolizer+Inhalation+Capsule+12+mcg

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Formoterol (Foradil) inhalation, who should not use it?:drugs.com:"Before using formoterol inhalation, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or high blood pressure; epilepsy or another seizure disorder; diabetes; an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism); liver disease; or kidney disease. You may not be able to take formoterol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Formoterol inhalation is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether formoterol inhalation will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether formoterol passes into breast milk. Do not use formoterol inhalation without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Formoterol inhalation is not approved for use by children younger than 5 years of age."
http://www.drugs.com/xq/cfm/pageID_0/htm_d04572A1.htm/bn_formoterol/qx/index.htm

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Formoterol (Foradil) recommended dosage:healthsquare:"ASTHMA For the long-term control of asthma in adults and children 5 years of age and older, the recommended dosage is 1 capsule every 12 hours. Do not use more than 2 capsules per day. PREVENTION OF EXERCISE-INDUCED ASTHMA For adults and children 12 years of age and older, the recommended dosage is 1 capsule at least 15 minutes before exercise. If a second dose is needed the same day, it must be taken at least 12 hours after the first dose. Do not exceed 2 capsules per day. If you are already taking Foradil on a regular twice-daily basis, do not take additional doses before exercise."
http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/for1575.htm

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