Foradil
(formoterol)
Controls chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Our bottom line
Foradil (formoterol) is good for controlling and preventing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms, but it's not a rescue inhaler and requires a jet nebulizer machine.
- Drug class: Respiratory
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Upsides
- Foradil (formoterol) works well to control chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and can start working in as few as 5 minutes.
- Taking Foradil (formoterol) into the lungs has fewer side effects than taking a pill by mouth.
- Using a jet nebulizer is easier to use than a handheld inhaler, especially for children.
Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine
What to expect from Foradil, on one page
Download Fact SheetDownsides
- Depending on your insurance, Foradil (formoterol) can be more expensive than medicines delivered through an inhaler.
Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine
What to expect from Foradil, on one page
Download Fact SheetForadil (formoterol) is a long-acting beta-adrenergic agonist (LABA). It relaxes the muscles around the airways in the lungs to help you breathe easier.
- Drug class: Respiratory
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Dosage forms
- Nebulizer solution
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$997.91
- AlbertsonsGet free coupon$1001.23
What to expect when you take Foradil (formoterol) for COPD
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Common cold symptoms
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
Side effect rates for Foradil (formoterol)
- Diarrhea5%5%4%4%
- Nausea5%5%3%3%
- Common cold symptoms3%3%2%2%
- Dry mouth3%3%2%2%
- Vomiting2%2%2%2%
- Dizziness2%2%1%1%
- Trouble sleeping2%2%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Foradil.
People taking Foradil felt side effect more
People taking Foradil felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Foradil (formoterol)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.Some people using a LABA like Foradil (formoterol) have a higher risk for asthma-related death. However, this is rare. If you also have asthma, you should be on a separate long-term medicine to control asthma. Do not use Foradil (formoterol) to treat asthma or as a rescue inhaler.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.