Asthma / COPD Pregnancy: No adequate data in pregnant women; may be considered at all stages of pregnancy if needed to obtain asthma control and if expected benefit to the mother outweighs any possible risk to the foetus. It is not known whether formoterol passes into human breast milk — use during breastfeeding only if benefit outweighs risk.

Formoterol

Brand names: Oxis Turbohaler, Foradil, Atimos Modulite

Formoterol is a rapid-onset long-acting beta2 agonist given by inhalation for maintenance bronchodilation in asthma (always with an inhaled corticosteroid) and in COPD.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 1 inhalation (12 micrograms) twice daily

Route: inhalation (Easyhaler inhalation powder)

Frequency: twice daily

Max: 4 inhalations daily (48 micrograms/day) in asthma; 2 inhalations daily (24 micrograms/day) in COPD

Adults (including elderly) and adolescents above 12 years. Asthma regular maintenance: 1 inhalation (12 micrograms) twice daily; for more severe disease may increase to 2 inhalations (24 micrograms) twice daily (max 4 inhalations/day). COPD regular maintenance: 1 inhalation (12 micrograms) twice daily (max 2 inhalations/day). Should not be used as first treatment for asthma or as sole therapy — must be combined with inhaled corticosteroid; not for relief of acute symptoms. Children 6–12 years (asthma only): 1 inhalation (12 micrograms) twice daily, max 24 micrograms/day; not recommended under 6 years — verify paediatric use against a children's formulary. Duration of action approximately 12 hours; use lowest effective dose.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to the excipient (lactose monohydrate, which contains small amounts of milk proteins)

Side effects

Headache (common)
Tremor (common)
Palpitations (common)
Tachycardia (uncommon)
Muscle cramps, myalgia (uncommon)

Interactions

Drugs known to prolong the QTc interval increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias
Caution co-administering theophylline (xanthines) in patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions
Beta-blockers may reduce or antagonise the effect of formoterol
Other beta2-agonists / sympathomimetics may potentiate effects

Clinical monograph

How it works

It stimulates beta2 adrenoceptors on airway smooth muscle to cause bronchodilation, combining a rapid onset of action with a prolonged duration of effect.

Prescribing in practice

In asthma it must never be used without a concurrent inhaled corticosteroid, as long-acting beta2 agonist monotherapy is associated with increased asthma deaths.
Common effects include fine tremor, headache and palpitations, with risk of hypokalaemia especially alongside corticosteroids, diuretics, theophylline or hypoxia.
Use with caution in cardiovascular disease, thyrotoxicosis and where QT-prolonging drugs are co-administered.

Monitoring

Monitor asthma or COPD control and reliever use, heart rate, and serum potassium in patients at risk of hypokalaemia during severe exacerbations.

Counselling the patient

Always use alongside your preventer inhaler if prescribed for asthma.
Report increasing reliever need or worsening breathlessness.
Mild shaking or a faster heartbeat can occur and usually settles.

Evidence & guidelines

A well-established long-acting beta2 agonist underpinned by extensive asthma and COPD trial data, including its use in maintenance-and-reliever regimens, consistent with UK guidance.

Reference: GINA 2024; GOLD 2024; NICE NG80 (Asthma); NICE NG115 (COPD); SPC Oxis Turbohaler; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways