Do you know exactly what your doctor/patient uses for the Formoterol Dry Powder Inhaler?

Are you feeling a little short of breath? Maybe you have asthma , or wheezing as we call it. Or maybe you suffer from COPD ( Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ), a long-term lung disease. In cases like this , your doctor may have told you to use a dry powder inhaler ( DPI ) that contains a medicine called formoterol. So, today we will talk about what this formoterol DPI is, how exactly it is used, and what we need to know specifically when using it.

What kind of medicine is this Formoterol?

Simply put, Formoterol is a medicine that is used to treat your asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) . It works by widening and opening the airways in your lungs, making it easier for you to breathe.

But here's something to keep in mind. This Formoterol Inhaler is a "controller inhaler." That is, it is used to control your symptoms and reduce their frequency. It should not be used for a sudden asthma attack or a sudden worsening of your COPD. Your doctor may have given you a separate "reliever inhaler/rescue inhaler" to use in such emergencies. That is what you should use at that time.

The most important thing: Formoterol is a daily, control medication. It is not for use in case of an acute exacerbation .

This medication may sometimes be prescribed by doctors for other conditions, so if you have any further questions about this, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What should I tell the doctor before using this medicine?

Before you start using Formoterol inhaler, it is important to tell your doctor about these things, as if you have these conditions, you need to be especially careful when using this medicine.

• Do you have diabetes mellitus ?
• Do you have any heart conditions ? (e.g., heart rhythm disorders, heart attack)
• Do you have high blood pressure ?
• Do you have an irregular heartbeat or rhythm ?
• Is there a type of tumor that forms in the glands called pheochromocytoma ? (This is a somewhat rare condition)
• Do you have conditions like seizures ?
• Do you have thyroid disease ?
• Do you have an allergic reaction to Formoterol, milk, other medicines, foods, artificial dyes, or preservatives?
• Are you pregnant? Or are you expecting a baby?
• Are you a breastfeeding mother?

If there is anything like this, talk openly with your doctor so he can plan the treatment that best suits you.

How do I use this inhaler correctly?

This is very important. Formoterol comes in powder form in capsules.These capsules are only used for inhalation through a special inhaler device that comes with them.

Do not swallow these capsules for any reason! These are designed to be taken as a powder through an inhaler, not drunk.

Follow the instructions on the prescription label exactly. Do not use more than the doctor tells you to use, and do not use it more often than the doctor tells you to.

Do not use a spacer device when using this inhaler.

Make sure you are using your inhaler correctly. Sometimes we think we are doing it right, but we can make small mistakes. So, if you have any doubts about how to use it, ask your doctor or nurse. They will teach you how to use it.

Usually, when you get this medicine from the pharmacy, you will receive a special instruction leaflet (MedGuide) with each prescription and each time you refill the medicine. Read this carefully. It is very important to read and understand the information in it carefully each time.

If you give this medicine to children:

Doctors can prescribe this medicine to children as young as 5 years old for certain selected conditions. However, there are some things to be careful about when giving it to your child. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to your child, talk to your doctor about it carefully and follow his or her instructions exactly.

If you take too much medicine (Overdosage):

If you think you have taken more of this medicine than you think, call a poison control center or the nearest hospital emergency department (ETU) immediately.

Please note: This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with others. Just because it works for you may not work for others.

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose. Just take your next dose as usual. Never take a double dose or an extra dose. Doing so may increase the risk of side effects.

What other medications may interact with this medicine?

This is also a very important point. There are some medications that can cause problems when taken together with Formoterol.

Do not take Formoterol with the following medications:

• Medications in the class of drugs called MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) . Examples include Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate. These are commonly prescribed for conditions like depression.

Also, the following medications can interact with Formoterol, meaning they can cause some problems:

• Caffeine ( found in tea, coffee, and some soft drinks)
• Cisapride (a medicine used to treat certain digestive system disorders)
• Diuretics ( medicines that cause the body to excrete water and salt, also called “water pills” by some)
• Furazolidone (a medicine used to treat certain infections)
• Medications for blood pressure
• Medications for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• Other medications for breathing problems
• Pimozide ( a medicine used to treat certain mental illnesses)
• Procarbazine (an anticancer drug)
• Risperidone ( a medicine used to treat certain mental illnesses)
• Sertindole ( a medicine used to treat certain mental illnesses)
• Some antibiotics , such as Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Levofloxacin, Linezolid.
• Some heart medications
• Steroid hormones . For example: Dexamethasone, Cortisone, Hydrocortisone.
• Stimulant medications for attention disorders, weight loss, or insomnia.

This list does not include all possible interactions. Therefore, you should useTell your doctor about all medications (prescribed by your doctor, over-the-counter), herbs, and dietary supplements you are taking, as well as if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some things can interact with your medications.

What are the things to be careful about when using this medicine?

See your doctor regularly to see how your symptoms are and if the medicine is working. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they seem to get worse.

Most importantly, never use your formoterol inhaler for a sudden, severe asthma attack. Instead, use your “short-acting rescue inhaler” that your doctor has prescribed for you. If your symptoms get worse, or if you need to use your quick-relief inhaler more often, call your doctor right away.

Sometimes, you may experience increased shortness of breath or wheezing after using this Formoterol inhaler. Therefore, always keep your rescue inhaler with you. If this happens, stop using this Formoterol inhaler immediately and talk to your doctor.

This medicine may slightly increase the risk of serious asthma-related problems. So if you have any questions about this, talk to your doctor.

If you have a cough, cold, or other allergies, do not take medication from the pharmacy without first asking your doctor. Some medications may interact with Formoterol.

Asthma Action Plan:

You and your doctor should work together to create an “Asthma Action Plan” that is specific to you. It should include what to do when your asthma gets a little worse (yellow zone), and what to do in an emergency situation when you need immediate medical attention (red zone). It is very important to know this well.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Like any medicine, some people can experience side effects when using Formoterol, although not everyone gets them.

If you experience any of these side effects, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. If this happens, it may be difficult to breathe, so see a doctor immediately.
• Heart rhythm changes: fast heartbeat or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing.
• Increase in blood pressure.
• Muscle pain or cramps.
• If you experience increased difficulty breathing or wheezing after using the medicine.

These side effects are usually not serious. However, if they persist or bother you, tell your doctor:

• Cough
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Tremors or shaking
• Trouble sleeping

This list is not all possible side effects. If you notice anything else unusual, please ask your doctor about it.

How should I store this medicine?

Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets .

Store at room temperature, between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius (68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Throw away any medicine that has passed its expiration date. Also,Protect from direct sunlight and heat and moisture.

The capsules that are used in the inhaler should be taken out of the blister pack just before use, that is, just before use. Do not store them in advance.

There may be special rules about how to store this medicine and how long it can be kept. Therefore, read the special instructions leaflet (MedGuide) that you get from the pharmacy carefully and store and use the medicine as it says.

So, what are the most important things to remember from what we've talked about?

Okay, we've talked a lot about the Formoterol powder inhaler. In short, here are some things to keep in mind.

• Formoterol is a daily “controller inhaler” used to control asthma and COPD . It will not work for a sudden asthma attack. A separate “rescue inhaler” is required for that.
• Do not swallow the capsules. Inhale only through the inhaler device.
• Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and any other medications you are taking.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.
• If you experience increased difficulty breathing after using the medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
• Talk to your doctor about your "Asthma Action Plan," understand it well, and follow it.
• Be aware of side effects. If you experience any serious side effects, seek medical advice immediately.

Please remember that this article is for general information only. If you have any questions about this medication or your condition, it is best to consult your doctor.