Brovana

Brand Names

Arformoterol

What is Brovana

Brovana is a bronchodilator used for long-term treatment of airway constriction. Brovana is a bronchodilator. It relaxes muscles in the airways to improve breathing. It prevents bronchoconstriction in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema in adults. Brovana is not used for treatment of already existing bronchospasm attacks.

Side effects of Brovana

If you have noticed any of these side effects, inform your doctor:

• bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing)
• chest pain, fast or pounding heart beats, restless feeling, tremor
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
• swelling, rapid weight gain
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips
• dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, nausea, vomiting, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, or fainting

These are the most common side effects:

• weakness; headache, sleep problems (insomnia)
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• leg cramps
• fever
• stuffy nose, dry mouth
• hoarseness or deepened voice

Please tell your doctor if you have any allergic reactions such as: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Indication

Brovana Inhalation Solution is indicated for the long term maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Brovana is used only by nebulization. It is administered twice daily (morning and evening).

Precautions

Brovana should not be used to treat acute symptoms of COPD. Brovana has not been studied in the relief of acute symptoms and extra doses should not be used for that purpose. Prescribed Brovana should be also provided with an inhaled, short-acting beta2-agonist for treatment of COPD symptoms that occur acutely, despite regular twice-daily (morning and evening) use of Brovana. Note that increasing inhaled beta2-agonist use is a signal of deteriorating disease for which prompt medical attention is indicated.

Dosage forms

The recommended Brovana dose for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one vial (15 mcg of Brovana in 2 mL) inhaled using a nebulizer twice daily.

Brovana should be used with a nebulizer. Nebulizers are small machines that convert liquid medications into tiny droplets that are just the right size to be inhaled into the airway. They are available in a wide range of sizes and prices.

The recommended dose of Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) Inhalation Solution for COPD patients is 15 mcg administered twice a day (morning and evening) by nebulization. A total daily dose greater than 30 mcg (15 mcg twice daily) is not recommended. Brovana should be used by the inhaled route via a standard jet nebulizer connected to an air compressor. Brovana should not be swallowed. Brovana should be stored refrigerated in foil pouches. After opening the pouch, unused ready-to-use vials should be returned to, and stored in, the pouch. An opened ready-to-use vial should be used right away.