LABA
Formoterol fumarate
Brand names: Atimos, Foradil, Oxis
Adult dose
Dose: 6–12 micrograms BD via DPI/MDI; max 24 micrograms BD
Route: Inhaled
Frequency: BD
Clinical pearls
- Not for asthma monotherapy — combine with ICS
- Rapid onset (~3 min) — used in MART regimens
Contraindications
- Severe milk-protein allergy (DPI)
Side effects
- Tremor
- Tachycardia
- Hypokalaemia
- Headache
- Paradoxical bronchospasm
Interactions
- β-blockers (avoid; if essential, cardioselective)
- QT-prolonging drugs
- Hypokalaemic agents
Monitoring
- K+ if high doses or with diuretics
Reference: BNF; BTS/SIGN; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/formoterol-fumarate/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
Pathways
- Acute Asthma in Adults · BTS/SIGN British Guideline on Asthma 2019; NICE NG80
- Pulmonary Embolism Assessment · NICE NG158; ESC 2019 PE Guidelines
- Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) · NICE NG115; GOLD 2024
- Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Adult) · BTS Pleural Disease 2023
- Atypical Pneumonia (Legionella / Mycoplasma / Chlamydophila) · BTS 2023; IDSA
- COPD Exacerbation Management · NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024