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What Is Formoterol?

Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator that relaxes muscles around the airways. As a single-ingredient nebulizer solution, it is used for ongoing treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. It is also an ingredient in combination inhalers used for COPD or asthma.

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What Is Formoterol?

Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator that relaxes muscles around the airways. As a single-ingredient nebulizer solution, it is used for ongoing treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. It is also an ingredient in combination inhalers used for COPD or asthma.

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What Is Formoterol Used For?

Single-ingredient formoterol helps control breathing symptoms in people with COPD. In asthma treatment, formoterol is used in an inhaler that also contains an inhaled corticosteroid. A single-ingredient formoterol nebulizer solution is not indicated for asthma.

How Does Formoterol Work?

Formoterol stimulates receptors that relax airway muscles. This opens the airways and helps reduce ongoing wheezing and shortness of breath. Its action lasts longer than that of a short-acting rescue bronchodilator.

How Is Formoterol Used?

Single-ingredient formoterol solution is inhaled through a nebulizer, usually twice daily about 12 hours apart. Combination inhalers have their own instructions and schedules. Follow the directions for the exact product prescribed.

What Are Formoterol Side Effects and Precautions?

Possible effects include tremor, headache, and a fast or pounding heartbeat. A single-ingredient formoterol product should not be used alone for asthma due to the risk of serious asthma-related events. Do not use maintenance formoterol solution to treat sudden breathing symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Formoterol

Can formoterol be used alone for asthma?

No. Formoterol used for asthma must be paired with an inhaled corticosteroid.

Is formoterol a rescue medicine?

Single-ingredient formoterol nebulizer solution is for ongoing COPD treatment, not sudden attacks. Follow the rescue plan provided by your clinician.

How is single-ingredient formoterol taken?

It is inhaled through a nebulizer on a regular schedule. Do not swallow the solution or inject it.

Can formoterol be used with another long-acting bronchodilator?

Do not add another long-acting bronchodilator without medical guidance. A clinician should review all of your inhaled medicines for duplicate ingredients.

References

Budesonide and Formoterol Oral Inhalation. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a623022.html. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Formoterol (inhalation route) - Side effects & dosage. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/formoterol-inhalation-route/description/drg-20068933. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

FORMOTEROL FUMARATE- formoterol fumarate dihydrate solution. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=4dbb9620-5731-40d9-8258-2977ecc781c4. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Formoterol Inhaler: Treatment for COPD. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18360-formoterol-dry-powder-inhaler-dpi. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Formoterol Oral Inhalation. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a602023.html. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.