Formoterol, a long-acting beta agonist bronchodilator (LABA), is a drug used to treat and prevent bronchospasm and was originally used in the treatment of asthma.
Recent data shows that COPD patients respond quite favorably to formoterol-containing treatments, in fact, medications that contain formoterol were found to significantly reduce airflow obstruction, even in those with severe COPD.
"The effect of COPD severity on airway reversibility to formoterol had not been evaluated extensively," says Donald Tashkin, MD, emeritus professor of medicine at UCLA. "We investigated reversibility to formoterol-containing treatment in moderate to very severe COPD patients."
Formoterol is often combined with budesonide, a corticosteroid. It has an extended duration of action of up to 12 hours.
Do you take formoterol for your COPD? Tell us how it works for you by voting in the attached poll.
I have used Advair for years and I can really tell the difference if I don’t get it refilled on time. If I go without it a few days, I get short of breath and my chest feels inflamed.
I take Foradil 12 mcg. every 12 hrs. It does work. PK
Kooky:
Just an FYI, Advair contains salmeterol, which is also a LABA, but not the same as formoterol.
PK:
Foradil does contain formoterol and glad it works for you.