aclidinium bromide + formoterol at a glance
Medicine class
Long-acting muscarinic antagonist plus long-acting beta-2 agonist (LAMA/LABA).
Licensed role
Maintenance relief of COPD symptoms in adults.
Device
Breath-actuated multidose dry-powder Genuair inhaler.
Acute symptoms
Not intended to treat a sudden attack of breathlessness or wheezing.
Excipient
Contains lactose monohydrate.
What is aclidinium bromide + formoterol used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adults with COPD.
How does aclidinium bromide + formoterol work?
Aclidinium blocks muscarinic M3 receptors that normally tighten airway smooth muscle. Formoterol stimulates beta-2 receptors, increasing cyclic AMP and relaxing airway muscle by a different pathway. Together they widen central and peripheral airways to improve airflow.
aclidinium bromide + formoterol preparations and strengths
Inhaled preparation
Route: Inhaled
Strengths: 340 micrograms + 12 micrograms
How to take aclidinium bromide + formoterol
Use only by inhalation and follow the device instructions supplied with the product. Food and drink do not affect administration.
Remove the inhaler from its sealed bag before first use and discard the bag and desiccant.
Check that the mouthpiece is clear and the control window is red.
Hold the inhaler horizontally, prepare the medicine and confirm that the window turns green.
Breathe out fully away from the device, then inhale strongly and deeply through the mouthpiece.
Hold your breath as long as comfortable, breathe out away from the inhaler and check that the window has returned to red.
Do not take extra medicine simply because you did not taste or feel the powder. Ask a pharmacist, nurse or doctor to check your technique if unsure.
aclidinium bromide + formoterol side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache or dizziness
- Sore throat and runny nose
- Cough
- Dry mouth
- Nausea or diarrhoea
- Muscle pain, cramps or tremor
- Difficulty sleeping or anxiety
- Urinary tract infection or sinusitis
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling and breathing or swallowing difficulty
- Sudden worsening of wheeze or breathlessness immediately after inhalation
- Sudden symptoms of acute glaucoma, such as intense eye pain, red eye, blurred vision or coloured haloes
- Chest pain, fainting or a marked fast or irregular heartbeat
aclidinium bromide + formoterol in pregnancy
There are no adequate human pregnancy data for this combination. The product information advises use only when the expected benefit outweighs potential risk, so discuss pregnancy or plans for pregnancy with the prescriber rather than stopping treatment without review.
aclidinium bromide + formoterol while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether aclidinium, its metabolites or formoterol enter human milk. A prescriber should balance treatment benefit against possible risk to the infant. Inhaled medicines generally produce lower milk exposure than systemic treatment, but this does not remove the product-specific uncertainty.
aclidinium bromide + formoterol interactions
Check the full medicine list, including inhalers and eye drops, before treatment.
Other long-acting beta-2 agonist or anticholinergic inhalers
Duplicate use has not been adequately studied and is not recommended because adverse effects may increase.
Theophylline, systemic corticosteroids and non-potassium-sparing diuretics
These may increase the risk of low blood potassium associated with beta-2 agonists.
Beta blockers, including timolol eye drops
They may reduce or oppose formoterol's bronchodilator effect.
Common questions about aclidinium bromide + formoterol
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is aclidinium bromide + formoterol used for?
It is licensed as maintenance treatment to relieve COPD symptoms in adults.
Is aclidinium bromide + formoterol a steroid inhaler?
No. It combines an antimuscarinic bronchodilator with a beta-2 agonist bronchodilator and contains no corticosteroid.
Can aclidinium bromide + formoterol treat sudden breathlessness?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.