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Perforomist Side Effects

Generic name: formoterol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 15, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Perforomist.

Applies to formoterol: inhalation capsule, inhalation solution Side Effects associated with formoterol. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Perforomist.

Applies to formoterol: inhalation capsule, inhalation solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure the medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you are also using other medicines for your COPD. Your doctor may want you to stop using the medicine and 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.

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

This medicine should only be used as an additional treatment for patients who cannot be treated with other asthma medicines (such as inhaled corticosteroids) or for asthma patients that require two medicines, including formoterol. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

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

You or your child may also be using an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as a steroid, together with this medicine. Do not stop using the anti-inflammatory medicine even if your asthma seems better, unless you are told to do so by your doctor.

Although this medicine decreases the number of asthma episodes, this medicine may also increase the chances of a severe asthma episode when they do occur. Be sure to read about these risks in the Medication Guide and talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any questions or concerns that you have.

Perforomist® 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 if you have concerns about this.

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.

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 or your child has a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

Perforomist® 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: convulsions (seizures), decreased urine, dry mouth, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle pain or cramps, nausea or vomiting, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, shortness of breath, 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.

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 Perforomist

Along with its needed effects, formoterol 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 formoterol:

More common side effects

  • body aches or pain
  • chills
  • cough
  • difficulty with breathing
  • ear congestion
  • fever
  • headache
  • hoarseness
  • loss of voice
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

  • chest pain or discomfort
  • cough-producing mucous
  • dry throat
  • labored breathing
  • pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
  • tender, swollen glands in the neck
  • tightness in the chest
  • trauma
  • trouble with swallowing
  • voice changes

Rare side effects

  • decreased urine
  • dry mouth
  • fainting
  • fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • increased thirst
  • loss of appetite
  • noisy breathing
  • seizures

Incidence not known

  • blurred vision
  • confusion
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • hives, itching, skin rash
  • large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • sweating

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

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of Perforomist

Some side effects of formoterol 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:

Less common side effects

  • agitation
  • back pain
  • increased mucous in the throat and lungs
  • leg cramps
  • muscle cramps
  • redness of the skin
  • restlessness
  • shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
  • trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

For healthcare professionals

Applies to formoterol: inhalation capsule, inhalation solution.

General adverse events

Common adverse reaction to Long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists (LABA) drugs include: Angina, hypertension or hypotension, tachycardia, arrhythmias, nervousness, headache, tremor, dry mouth, palpitation, muscle cramps, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and insomnia.[Ref]

Other

Respiratory

Serious asthma exacerbations (acute worsening of asthma resulting in hospitalization) occurred more commonly in patients receiving higher than the recommended dose of this drug than in patients who received placebo.

While most of cases of asthma exacerbation have been in patients with severe or acutely deteriorating asthma, a few have occurred in patients with less severe asthma. It is not possible to determine from these individual case reports whether this drug contributed to the events.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Gastrointestinal

Musculoskeletal

Nervous system

Central nervous system stimulating effects have been sporadically reported following inhalation of beta2-sympathomimetics, manifesting as hyperexcitability. These effects were mainly observed in children up to 12 years of age.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Cardiovascular

Hypersensitivity

Metabolic

Treatment with beta2-agonists may result in an increase in blood levels of insulin, free fatty acids, glycerol and ketone bodies.[Ref]

Renal

Hematologic

See also:

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Foradil (formoterol)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

4. (2016) "Product Information. Perforomist (formoterol)." Dey Laboratories

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Perforomist 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.