Foradil Drug Information

Foradil is a long-acting bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways to improve breathing. Foradil is used to prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airways disease, including symptoms of night-time asthma. It is also used in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
What is the most important information I should know about Foradil inhalation?
• Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than your usual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a 24-hour period. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.
• Do not use Foradil more often than is prescribed by your doctor . Doing so could seriously affect the heart and could even lead to death.
• Do not substitute Foradil inhalation for any other asthma medications , especially if you are having an acute asthma attack. Continue to take all other asthma medications as directed by your doctor. Foradil is a long-acting medication used to treat chronic asthma. It will not work fast enough to treat an acute asthma attack.
• It is very important that you use the Foradil inhaler properly so that the medicine gets into the lungs. Do not use a spacer and never exhale into the device. Talk to your doctor about proper inhaler use.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Foradil inhalation?
• Before using Foradil inhalation, tell your doctor if you have
· heart disease, high blood pressure , or irregular heartbeats;
· epilepsy or another seizure disorder;
· diabetes;
· an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism);
· liver disease; or
· kidney disease.
• You may not be able to use Foradil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Foradil inhalation is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Foradil inhalation will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known whether Foradil passes into breast milk. Do not use Foradil inhalation without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Foradil inhalation is not approved for use by children younger than 5 years of age.
How should I use Foradil inhalation?
• Use Foradil inhalation exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Foradil capsules are intended for use in the Foradil Aerolizer. Do not take the capsules by mouth. Never place a capsule in the mouthpiece of the inhaler.
• It is very important that you use the Foradil inhaler properly so that the medicine gets into the lungs. Do not use a spacer and never exhale into the device. Talk to your doctor about proper inhaler use.
• Do not use Foradil inhalation more often than is prescribed by your doctor. Doing so could seriously affect the heart and could even lead to death. Generally, Foradil should not be used more often than every 12 hours. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• Do not substitute Foradil inhalation for any other asthma medication, especially if you are having an acute asthma attack. Continue to take all other asthma medications as directed by your doctor.
• Do not use Foradil inhalation to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Have another, faster-acting inhalation medication--such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), pirbuterol (Maxair), or bitolterol (Tornalate)--on hand to relieve asthma attacks.
• If you are using Foradil to prevent exercise-induced asthma, take a dose about 15 minutes before exercising. Additional doses of Foradil inhalation should not be used for 12 hours.
• To prepare the inhaler:
· When you receive the Foradil inhaler, there should be a sticker on the outside of the box with a "Use by" date written on it by the pharmacist. Remove the sticker with the "Use by" date from the box and place it on the inhaler cover. If the "Use by" date is blank, you will need to count 4 months from the date of purchase and write this date on the sticker. Check the product expiration date stamped on the box. If the expiration date is less than 4 months from the purchase date, write the expiration date on the sticker. The Foradil capsules and inhaler should be used by the "Use by" date on the sticker.
· Keep the Foradil capsules and the Aerolizer inhaler dry. Handle with dry hands only. Never wash the inhaler. Always use the new inhaler that comes with a refill. Never attempt to take the Aerolizer inhaler apart.
• To use the inhaler:
· Check the "Use by" date on the inhaler cover (if the "use by" date has passed, replace the product). Remove the aluminum pouch covering the foil blister cards which contain the Foradil capsules.
· Pull off the inhaler cover. Hold the base of the inhaler firmly and twist the mouthpiece in the direction of the arrow to open. Push the buttons in to make sure that the 4 pins are visible in the capsule well on each side.
· Immediately before use, remove one capsule from the foil blister. Place the capsule in the capsule-chamber in the base of the inhaler. Never place a capsule into the mouthpiece.
· Twist the mouth piece back to the closed position.
· With the mouthpiece of the inhaler upright, press both buttons once at the same time. You should hear a click as the capsule is being pierced.
· Release the buttons. If the buttons stick in, grasp the wings on the buttons to pull them out before the inhalation step. Do not depress the buttons a second time as this may shatter the capsule. A screen built into the inhaler should prevent any capsule pieces from being inhaled however it remains possible that rarely, tiny pieces of gelatin capsule might reach your mouth or throat upon inhalation. Capsule pieces are not harmful if accidentally swallowed or inhaled. The capsule is less likely to shatter when pierced if the capsule is removed from the foil blister immediately before use, if storage conditions are strictly followed, and the capsule is only pierced once.
· Breathe out fully away from the mouthpiece. (Do not breathe out into the mouthpiece.) Tilt your head back slightly. Keeping the inhaler level (with the blue buttons to the left and right) place the mouthpiece in your mouth, closing your lips around the mouthpiece.
· Breathe in rapidly but steadily, as deeply as you can. As the capsule spins around in the chamber dispensing the medication, you will experience a sweet taste and hear a whirling noise. If you have not heard the whirring noise, the capsule may be stuck. If this occurs, open the inhaler and loosen the capsule allowing it to spin freely. Do not try to loosen the capsule by repeatedly pressing the buttons.
· Remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Hold your breath for as long as comfortably possible. Breathe out slowly away from the mouthpiece. Open the inhaler to see if any powder remains in the capsule. If any powder remains in the inhaler, close the inhaler and repeat inhaling. Most people are able to empty the capsule in one or two inhalations.
· After use, open the inhaler, remove and discard the empty capsule. Do not leave a used capsule in the chamber. Close the mouthpiece and replace the cover. Do not wash any part of the inhaler. Keep it dry at all times.
• Refill the medication before you run out and before going on vacation.
• Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than your usual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a 24-hour period. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.
• Store Foradil at room temperature, 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 25 degrees Celsius) away from moisture, light, and heat. Foradil capsules come in aluminum blisters wrapped in a foil pouch. Do not open the pouch until you are ready to use the inhaler. Only remove the capsules from the foil blister immediately before use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• If you miss a dose, use only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a Foradil overdose include angina or chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeats or a fluttering heart; nervousness; muscle cramps; dry mouth; tiredness; insomnia; seizures; tremor; weakness; headache; nausea; and vomiting.
What should I avoid while using Foradil inhalation?
• Avoid situations that may trigger an asthma attack such as exercising in cold, dry air; smoking; breathing in dust; and exposure to allergens.
What are the possible side effects of Foradil inhalation?
• Stop using Foradil inhalation and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following uncommon but serious side effects:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
· chest pain or fast or irregular heartbeats.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use Foradil inhalation and talk to your doctor if you experience
· dizziness or lightheadedness;
· tremor or nervousness;
· a rash;
· a cold or viral infection;
· nausea; or
· changes in your voice.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Foradil?
• Before using Foradil inhalation tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
· a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), or pindolol (Visken);
· a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or protriptyline (Vivactil);
· a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Esidrix, Microzide, Oretic, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone, Hygroton), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), indapamide (Lozol), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), torsemide (Demadex), and others;
· a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); or
· a diet medicine or a decongestant.
• You may not be able to use Foradil inhalation, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Foradil inhalation, or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.