brovana

Brovana (arformoterol) is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing.

Brovana inhalation is used to prevent bronchoconstriction in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Brovana will not treat a bronchospasm attack that has already begun.

Brovana may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

Do not use Brovana inhalation to treat a bronchospasm attack that has already begun.

Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if you think you need to use more than usual. An increased need for medication could be an early sign that your condition is getting worse.

Salmeterol, a medicine similar to arformoterol, has been shown to increase the risk of asthma-related death. It is not known whether Brovana could cause this same effect in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Use only the prescribed dose of this medication, and do not use it for longer than your doctor recommends. Follow all patient instructions for safe use. Talk with your doctor about your individual risks and benefits of using Brovana inhalation.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Brovana if you are allergic to arformoterol.

Salmeterol, a medicine similar to arformoterol, has been shown to increase the risk of asthma-related death. It is not known whether Brovana could cause this same effect in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Use only the prescribed dose of this medication, and do not use it for longer than your doctor recommends. Follow all patient instructions for safe use. Talk with your doctor about your individual risks and benefits of using Brovana inhalation.

To make sure Brovana inhalation is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or high blood pressure;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• diabetes;

• glaucoma;

• a thyroid disorder;

• liver disease; or

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Brovana will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

It is not known whether arformoterol inhalation passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give Brovana to anyone under 18 years old without your doctor"s advice.

How should I use Brovana inhalation?

Use Brovana exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Do not use Brovana inhalation to treat a sudden bronchospasm attack. It will not work fast enough. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication.

If you were switched from a short-acting bronchodilator to Brovana inhalation, stop using the other bronchodilator and use it only for a sudden bronchospasm attack. Short-acting bronchodilators include albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin, Combivent), bitolterol (Tornalate), levalbuterol (Xopenex), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), or pirbuterol (Maxair).

Brovana solution for inhalation is for use only with a standard jet nebulizer machine connected to an air compressor. Do not mix Brovana with other medicines in the nebulizer. Do not take this medicine by mouth or swallow it.

To use the solution with a nebulizer:

• Open the foil pouch and squeeze all of the medicine out into the chamber of the nebulizer. Attach the mouthpiece or face mask to the drug chamber. Then, attach the drug chamber to the compressor.

• Sit upright in a comfortable position. Place the mouthpiece into your mouth or put the face mask on, covering your nose and mouth. Turn on the compressor.

• Breathe in slowly and evenly until you have inhaled all of the medicine (usually 5 to 10 minutes). The treatment is complete when no more mist is formed by the nebulizer and the drug chamber is empty.

• Clean the nebulizer after each use. Follow the cleaning directions that came with your nebulizer.

Seek medical attention if you think your medications are not working as well. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.

COPD is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor"s advice.

Keep Brovana inhalation in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Once a pouch is opened, you must use the medicine right away. Throw the empty pouch away where children and pets cannot get to it.

Store the foil pouches in the refrigerator but do not allow them to freeze.

You may store the foil pouches at room temperature but you must use them within 6 weeks. Store the single-use vials at room temperature and protect them from heat and light. Do not use any medicine if it does not look clear and colorless in the vial.

Brovana Inhalation Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease -- Maintenance:

15 micrograms by nebulization twice a day (morning and evening). A total daily dose greater than 30 micrograms is not recommended.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use two doses at the same time. It is important to use Brovana inhalation regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of Brovana inhalation can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeats, nervousness, tremor, muscle cramps, feeling light-headed, and fainting.

What should I avoid while using Brovana inhalation?

Do not use a second long-acting inhaled bronchodilator such as formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist, Symbicort) or salmeterol (Serevent, Advair) unless your doctor has told you to.

Brovana inhalation side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Brovana: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have;

• bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing);

• chest pain, fast or pounding heart beats, restless feeling, tremor;

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or

• dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, nausea, vomiting, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Common Brovana side effects may include:

• weakness; headache, sleep problems (insomnia);

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• leg cramps;

• fever;

• stuffy nose; or

• hoarseness or deepened voice.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Brovana inhalation?

Other drugs may interact with arformoterol inhalation, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.