Brand Names:
Generic Names:
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Formoterol (for-MOH-ter-ol) is used as regular maintenance therapy to
reduce the symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Oxeze Turbuhaler can also be used as a relief medication and to
prevent asthma symptoms caused by exercise. It increases the size of the
air passages to the lungs.
Take this medication exactly as directed by your physician. Do not take
more than is prescribed.
Ask your pharmacist for written illustrated instructions on how to use your
inhalation device properly.
Continue to take any other asthma medication prescribed by your physician.
Your anti-inflammatory medication works together with this medication to
control asthma.
If your asthma symptoms are worse, you are using your 'relief medication'
more often, it is less effective or you need more than 48 mcg of formoterol
for 3 days in a row, check with your physician at once.
Ask your physician or pharmacist for a written plan to follow for managing
an acute asthma attack or worsening of COPD symptoms.
If you miss a dose and remember within 6 hours, take the dose then. If it
is more than 6 hours from the missed dose, omit the missed dose and take
only the next dose at its scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make
up for a missed one.
Side effects are usually infrequent, mild and transient. Should any
persistent or particularly annoying side effects occur, contact your
physician.
You will not feel a cold spray at the back of the throat when using the
inhaler. This does not mean you are not receiving the drug.
Clean the outside of the mouthpiece with a dry tissue once a week. Never
use water to clean the mouthpiece; if water gets into the inhaler it may
not work. Always replace the cover and store in a dry place, away from
moisture and excess heat.
Use of the Aerolizer (dry powder inhaler):
(a) Obtain an instruction sheet from your pharmacist.
(b) Remove the cover.
(c) Hold base of the inhaler and turn mouthpiece in the direction of
the arrow to open.
(d) Remove a capsule from the blister pack and place in the
compartment in the inhaler base. (Note: only remove the
capsule from the blister pack immediately before use)
(e) Close the mouthpiece.
(f) Hold the inhaler upright, squeeze and release the two blue
buttons ONCE to pierce the capsule. Puncturing the capsule
more than once increases the possibility of creating small
fragments of the gelatin capsule that could be inhaled.
(g) Tilt the head back slightly and breathe out fully.
(h) Put the mouthpiece between your lips and breathe in steadily and
deeply. You should hear a whirring noise. (Note: if you do
not hear the whirring noise, the capsule may be stuck in the
compartment and needs to be loosened) Do not breathe out into
the device.
(i) Remove the inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for
10 seconds or as long as is comfortable.
(j) Breathe out slowly, pursing lips.
(k) Open the inhaler and check that the capsule is empty. If it is
not, close the inhaler and repeat steps (g) to (j) above.
(l) Remove the empty capsule.
(m) If you are prescribed inhalation of more than one capsule, repeat
the above steps.
(n) Replace the cover. Clean the mouthpiece and capsule compartment
with a dry cloth or a small, soft clean brush once a week.
Never use water to clean the mouthpiece; if water gets into the
inhaler it may not work.
(o) Store the inhaler and capsules in a dry place away from moisture
and excess heat.
If you have experienced any undesirable reactions to this drug, this can be
reported to Health Canada's monitoring program (tollfree telephone
1-866-234-2345, tollfree fax 1-866-678-6789). Note that this is not an
emergency number.
Store this medication in its original labelled container in a dry place,
away from moisture and excess heat, and out of the reach of children.
