Arformoterol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 27, 2024.

Applies to arformoterol: inhalation solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood tests may also be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Tell your doctor if you are also using any other medicine for your COPD. Your doctor may want you to use it only during a severe COPD attack. Follow your doctor's instructions on how you should take your medicine.

This medicine should not be used if you are having a severe COPD attack, or if symptoms of a COPD attack has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an acute COPD attack. If the other medicine does not work as well, tell your doctor right away.

Talk to your doctor or get medical care right away if:

• Your symptoms do not improve after using this medicine within a few days or if they become worse.
• Your short-acting inhaler does not seem to be working as well as usual and you need to use it more often.

This medicine should not be used together with similar inhaled medicines such as budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort®), formoterol (Foradil®, Perforomist™), indacaterol (Arcapta® Neohaler®), salmeterol (Serevent®), or salmeterol/fluticasone (Advair®).

This medicine may increase the risk of worsening asthma, which may lead to hospitalization, intubation, and death in patients with asthma who take this medicine without an inhaled steroid medicine. Talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have.

This medicine may cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which means your breathing or wheezing will get worse. Paradoxical bronchospasm may be life-threatening. Check with your doctor right away if you have coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing after using this medicine.

Arformoterol may cause heart or blood vessel problems, including heart rhythm problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or tightness, decreased urine output, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, troubled breathing, or weight gain.

Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have more than one of the following symptoms: decreased urine, dry mouth, increased thirst, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle pain or cramps, nausea or vomiting, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, seizures, uneven heartbeat, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of arformoterol

Along with its needed effects, arformoterol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking arformoterol:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking arformoterol:

Symptoms of overdose

• arm, back, or jaw pain
• blurred vision
• chest discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
• confusion
• decreased urine
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• increased thirst
• loss of consciousness
• mood changes
• muscle pain, cramps, or tremors
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pounding in the ears
• rapid, deep breathing
• restlessness
• seizures
• slow heartbeat
• stomach cramps
• tremor

Other side effects of arformoterol

Some side effects of arformoterol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to arformoterol: inhalation solution.

Respiratory adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, sinusitis, flu syndrome, pulmonary and chest congestion
• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Respiratory disorder, voice alteration^[Ref]

Two double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials showed a decreased or comparable incidence of COPD exacerbations when compared to placebo. COPD exacerbations occurred at a rate of 12.1% for those patients receiving the drug and 15.1% for those patients receiving placebo.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, peripheral edema
• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Arteriosclerosis, atrial flutter, AV block, congestive heart failure, heart block, myocardial infarct, QT interval prolongation, supraventricular tachycardia, inverted T-wave^[Ref]

Two double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials showed a decreased or comparable incidence of cardiovascular events. Frequency of all cardiovascular events was 6.9% in those using the drug and 13.3% in the placebo group. No frequently occurring, defined as 1% or greater than placebo, cardiovascular events were associated.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Dry skin, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, skin discoloration, skin hypertrophy^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea
• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Constipation, gastritis, melena, oral moniliasis, periodontal abscess, rectal hemorrhage^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, leg cramps
• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Neck rigidity, pelvic pain, arthralgia, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disorder, tendinous contracture^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Retroperitoneal hemorrhage

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Allergic reaction

Local

• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Injection site pain

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Dehydration, edema, glucose tolerance decreased, gout, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypoglycemia, hypokalemia

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Agitation, cerebral infarct, circumoral paresthesia, hypokinesia, somnolence, tremor, paralysis

Ocular

• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Abnormal vision, glaucoma

Oncologic

• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Neoplasm, carcinoma of the lung, breast neoplasm

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Pain
• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Digitalis intoxication, abscess, fever, hernia

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported (Less than 2%): Calcium crystalluria, cystitis, glycosuria, hematuria, kidney calculus, nocturia, PSA increase, pyuria, urinary tract disorder, urine abnormality

See also:

Further information

Arformoterol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer