Formoterol inhaler for asthma

Name of medicine

Formoterol

Brand names: Atimos Modulite, Foradil, Formoterol Easyhaler, Oxis Turbohaler

Why is it important for my child to take formoterol?

Formoterol helps to prevent asthma and wheeze. It is important that your child takes formoterol every day together with their inhaled steroids. This may be in separate inhalers or from one inhaler that contains both medicines.

What is formoterol available as?

Formoterol must be breathed into the airways in the lungs to work. This is done using an inhaler, usually with a spacer device. Dry powder inhalers may be provided for older children; these do not need a spacer device.

·   Atimos modulite: 12 micrograms per dose (puff)

·   Foradil: 12 micrograms per dose

·   Formoterol Easyhaler (dry powder inhaler): 12 micrograms per dose

·   Oxis Turbohaler: 6 or 12 micrograms per dose

Your doctor may suggest that your child uses an inhaler that contains both formoterol and a steroid together rather than separate inhalers. You can ask your doctor about this option if you think it would be useful to make sure your child takes both medicines regularly.

When should I give formoterol

formoterol is usually given twice each day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Ideally, these times are 10–12 hours apart, for example some time between 7 and 8 am, and between 7 and 8 pm. Give the medicine at about the same times each day so that this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help you to remember.

Oxis Turbohaler may be given once or twice a day. Your doctor will tell you how often to give it.

If it is to be given once each day, this can be in the morning or the evening.

Give the medicine at about the same time(s) each day so that this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help you to remember.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of formoterol (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.

How should I give formoterol?

Inhaler

Your doctor or asthma nurse will show you and your child how to use the inhaler and spacer device. Details on how to use inhalers can be found on our website.

When should the medicine start working?

Formoterol needs to be given regularly with your child’s steroid medicine to help prevent asthma and wheeze. It does not work straight away but your child should start to wheeze less and to need less reliever medicine (blue inhaler) within a week of starting treatment.

Continue to give the medicine your doctor or nurse has told you to, even if your child does not have any wheeze or symptoms of asthma, as it works to prevent symptoms.

If your child’s asthma does not seem to be getting any better and they still need to use their reliever medicine often, contact your doctor or nurse.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

You do not need to worry if your child is sick, as the medicine will still work.

What if I forget to give it?

If you remember up to 4 hours after you should have given a dose, give your child the missed dose. For example, if you usually give a dose at about 7 am, you can give the missed dose at any time up to 11 am. If you remember after that time, do not give the missed dose. Just give the next dose as usual.

What if I give too much?

It is unlikely to do harm if you give an extra dose of formoterol or if your child accidentally swallows formoterol. However, if you are worried, contact your doctor or local NHS services (details at end of leaflet). Have the medicine or packaging with you if you telephone for advice.

Are there any possible side effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects).

Side effects you must do something about

Other side-effects you need to know about

Your child may get some of the following side-effects when they first start taking formoterol. They are usually mild and should wear off after a few days as your child’s body gets used to the medicine. If the side effects are still a problem after 2 weeks or you are worried, contact your doctor but continue to give formoterol.

• Your child may feel dizzy or light-headed when they stand up, or may even faint. Encourage them to stand up slowly, and to sit or lie down if they feel dizzy or lightheaded.

• Your child may get headaches, have mild tremor (shakiness), especially in the hands, or have joint or muscle pain or cramps.

• Some children may become more nervous or anxious than usual, and they may have disturbed sleep. If this happens, give the medicine earlier in the evening.

• Your child may feel sick or be sick (vomit). If this is still a problem after a week, contact your doctor.

Your child may sometimes get side-effects that are not listed above. If you notice anything unusual and are concerned, contact your doctor. You can report any suspected side-effects to the UK safety scheme at mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

More information on side-effects can be found in a leaflet on our website.

Can other medicines be given at the same time as formoterol?

You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.

formoterol should not be taken with some medicines that you get on prescription. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any other medicines your child is taking before giving formoterol. This includes herbal and complementary medicines.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal and complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine?

It is important that your child continues to take their inhaled steroids as usual while taking formoterol (unless you have an inhaler containing both medicines).

Your child should rinse their mouth out thoroughly with water or clean their teeth after using the inhaler.

Clean the spacer at least once a month in warm soapy water and leave it to drip dry. This will prevent medicine residue from building up on the inside of the device.

Do not use a cloth to dry the spacer, as this will cause a  build up of static and it may not work properly.

It is important to keep track of how many puffs of inhaler your child has used, because the medicine will run out before the gas (propellant) that drives the medicine into the airways. This means that they may not be getting any medicine (you can read more on our website here).

Take old inhalers to your pharmacy – do not put them in the household waste or recycling.

General advice about medicines

• Try to give medicines at about the same times each day, to help you remember.

• If you are not sure a medicine is working, contact your doctor but continue to give the medicine as usual in the meantime. Do not give extra doses, as you may do harm.

• Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.

• Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.

• Make sure that the medicines you have at home have not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where should I keep this medicine?

• Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.

• Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.

• Keep the medicine in the container and packaging it came in.

Who to contact for more information?

Your child’s doctor, pharmacist or nurse will be able to give you more information about formoterol and about other medicines used to treat asthma and wheeze.

Copyright disclaimer

Version [1]. © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild, all rights reserved. Review by March 2027.

The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk.

We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.