Formoterol

Drug substance from the group of beta2 sympathomimetics. Formoterol consists of a mixture of its two -(R,R)- and -SS)- enantiomers. The substance is available as a metered dose aerosol or in powder form. A fixed combination with an inhaled glucocorticoid (ICS) is also available. The half-life is about 7 hours. The preparation belongs to the long-acting beta-sympathomimetics (Cotroller = LABA).

Formoterol stimulates the beta-receptors of the sympathetic nervous system and leads to a dilatation of the smooth muscles at the bronchial tubes and thus to their expansion. Formoterol is therefore approved for the treatment of moderate bronchial asthma, but only in combination with an inhaled cortisone preparation. The substance mixture can also be used for the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis.

Broncholytic, antasthmatic; long-term treatment of severe bronchial asthma.

Frequent: fine tremor, headache and tachycardia. Occasionally, nausea, sweating, restlessness, dizziness, disturbances of taste, sensations in the mouth and throat, palpitations also with cardiac arrhythmia, flush, cough, potassium deficiency in the blood, as well as increase in blood sugar level and concentration of insulin, free fatty acids, ketone bodies and glycerol in the blood.

Hypersensitivity reactions with itching exanthema, urticaria, angioedema of the face and oral mucosa have rarely been reported.