Two medicines, side by side
Formoterol vs arformoterol
Formoterol and arformoterol are both labeled for COPD. Drugs@FDA records approvals of formoterol since 2001 and of arformoterol since 2006. Pharmacies paid $1.30 per mL (Formoterol 20 mcg/2 mL neb vial) and $0.633 per mL (Arformoterol 15 mcg/2 mL solution) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Formoterol, “Formoterol fumarate is a long-acting, beta 2 -adrenergic receptor agonist (beta 2 -agonist).”; Arformoterol, “Arformoterol, the (R,R)-enantiomer of formoterol, is a selective long-acting beta 2 -adrenergic receptor agonist (beta 2 -agonist) that has two-fold greater potency than racemic formoterol (which …”
Check it at the source: the formoterol FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 31, 2019); the arformoterol FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 14, 2026).
Highlights of the formoterol record
Formoterol (Perforomist) · label of May 31, 2019
Used for
From the label: indicationsPERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution is a long-acting beta 2 -adrenergic agonist (beta 2 -agonist) indicated for: • Long-term, twice daily (morning and evening) administration in the maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 16, 2001
- Generic labelers
- 11 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.30 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the arformoterol record
Arformoterol (Brovana) · label of April 14, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsArformoterol tartrate inhalation solution is a long-acting beta 2 -adrenergic agonist (beta 2 -agonist) indicated for: Long-term, twice daily (morning and evening) administration in the maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 6, 2006
- Generic labelers
- 15 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.633 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Formoterol label of May 31, 2019, Arformoterol label of April 14, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do formoterol and arformoterol differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Formoterol, “Formoterol fumarate is a long-acting, beta 2 -adrenergic receptor agonist (beta 2 -agonist).”; Arformoterol, “Arformoterol, the (R,R)-enantiomer of formoterol, is a selective long-acting beta 2 -adrenergic receptor agonist (beta 2 -agonist) that has two-fold greater potency than racemic formoterol (which …”
Both are in FDA's class beta2-adrenergic agonists.
Half-life, in each label's words: Formoterol, “Based on plasma concentrations measured following the 244 mcg dose, the mean terminal elimination half-life was …”; Arformoterol, “In COPD patients given 15 mcg inhaled arformoterol twice a day for 14 days, the mean terminal half-life of arformoterol …”
| Formoterol | Arformoterol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | COPD | COPD |
| Pharmacologic class | beta2-Adrenergic Agonist | beta2-Adrenergic Agonist |
| How it works (label) | Formoterol fumarate is a long-acting, beta 2 -adrenergic receptor agonist (beta 2 -agonist). Inhaled formoterol fumarate acts locally in the lung as a bronchodilator. | Arformoterol, the (R,R)-enantiomer of formoterol, is a selective long-acting beta 2 -adrenergic receptor agonist (beta 2 -agonist) that has two-fold greater potency than racemic formoterol (which contains both the (S,S) and … |
| Half-life (label) | Based on plasma concentrations measured following the 244 mcg dose, the mean terminal elimination half-life was determined to be 7 hours. | In COPD patients given 15 mcg inhaled arformoterol twice a day for 14 days, the mean terminal half-life of arformoterol was 26 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 16, 2001 | October 6, 2006 |
| First generic approved | June 22, 2021 | June 22, 2021 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 15 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.30 per mL (Formoterol 20 mcg/2 mL neb vial) | $0.633 per mL (Arformoterol 15 mcg/2 mL solution) |
| 12-month price change | -64% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 4,695 | 231 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Arformoterol label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS Arformoterol tartrate inhalation solution is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to arformoterol, racemic formoterol or to any other components of this product.
Arformoterol label, warnings and precautionsClinical studies with racemic formoterol suggested a higher incidence of serious asthma exacerbations in patients who received racemic formoterol than in those who received placebo.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to formoterol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions