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aclidinium vs formoterol

Side-by-side comparison of aclidinium and formoterol Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

moderate Known Drug Interaction

May potentiate effect of formoterol fumarate on cardiovascular system. ( 7.6 ) 7.1 Adrenergic Drugs If additional adrenergic drugs are to be administered by any route, they should be used with caution because the sympathetic effects of formoterol, a component of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, may be potentiated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] . 7.2 Xanthine Derivatives, Steroids Concomitant treatment with xanthine derivatives, or steroids may potentiate any hypokalemic effect of beta-adrenergic agonists such as formoterol, a component of DUAKLIR PRESSAIR.

Recommendation: Use this combination with caution. Your doctor should check your heart health and blood pressure regularly while you are using these medicines.

Drug Class
aclidinium Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA)
formoterol Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA)
Type
aclidinium Prescription
formoterol Prescription
Summary
aclidinium

Duaklir Pressair is a combination medicine used to help people with COPD breathe better. It contains two medicines that open up the airways in your lungs.

formoterol

Formoterol is a medicine that helps open your airways. It is used to make breathing easier for people with COPD.

What It Treats
aclidinium

Duaklir Pressair is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. This medicine helps to open the airways and make it easier to breathe for people with COPD.

formoterol

Formoterol inhalation solution is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This medicine helps to lessen the tightening of your airways, making it easier to breathe. It is for long-term use and should be taken twice a day.

How It Works
aclidinium

Duaklir Pressair contains two medicines that work in different ways. One medicine relaxes the muscles around your airways, opening them up. The other medicine prevents the muscles from tightening.

formoterol

Formoterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA). It works by relaxing the muscles around your airways. This allows more air to flow in and out of your lungs.

Common Side Effects
aclidinium
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Headache
  • Back pain
formoterol
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Runny nose
  • Dry mouth
  • Vomiting
FAERS Reports
aclidinium
  • Difficulty breathing 1,869
  • Inhaler not working correctly 1,281
  • Skipped a dose of medicine 1,017
  • Asthma 814
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 764
formoterol
  • Difficulty breathing 1,076
  • Asthma 1,032
  • Cough 604
  • Wheezing 543
  • Pneumonia 416
Serious Warnings
aclidinium

LABAs, such as formoterol fumarate, one of the active ingredients in DUAKLIR PRESSAIR, increase the risk of asthma-related death. Duaklir Pressair is not for asthma. Do not use Duaklir Pressair if you are allergic to milk proteins or any of the ingredients in it. Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, glaucoma, trouble urinating, diabetes, or seizures.

formoterol

If you have asthma, you should not take formoterol without also using an inhaled corticosteroid medicine. Using formoterol alone for asthma can increase the risk of serious asthma problems, including death. Do not use formoterol to treat sudden breathing problems. Always have a rescue inhaler with you to treat sudden symptoms.

Pregnancy
aclidinium

It is not known if Duaklir Pressair will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking Duaklir Pressair.

formoterol

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if formoterol will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using formoterol during pregnancy. It is also not known if formoterol passes into breast milk.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This aclidinium vs formoterol Comparison

aclidinium is classified in the Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA) drug class, while formoterol sits within the Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, aclidinium has 5,745 submissions while formoterol has 3,671. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to these drugs can increase the effects on your heart and blood vessels. this might cause your heart to beat too fast or raise your blood pressure.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between aclidinium and formoterol — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.