Prescription medication · Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA)

formoterol

Also sold as Foradil, Perforomist. Formoterol inhalation solution is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Data updated 2026-05-15

5,509
FDA reports
3
InteractionsFew interactions
64% less
Generic vs brandBig savings
$9.29
Brand price (NADAC)

What the data shows

formoterol (Foradil) is a prescription Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA), with 5,509 FDA adverse-event reports on file, whose generic runs roughly half the brand price or less (64% less).

Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.

formoterol (Foradil) is a prescription Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA). Formoterol inhalation solution is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

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

Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$9.29/unit

Generic Price

$3.37/unit

Generic Savings

64%

Generic Available

Yes (9 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 25, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

NADAC price trail: FORMOTEROL 20 MCG/2 ML NEB VL

Same CMS presentation as the headline generic unit price above (2 effective dates). Adjacent % compares consecutive NADAC releases for this description only, not a patient out-of-pocket quote. Latest step: 0% vs prior release.

Effective NADAC / unit vs prior NDCs
December 18, 2024 $3.46/ML - 16
December 25, 2024 $3.46/ML 0% 2
View Alternatives → Compare with Another Drug →

What it does

Formoterol inhalation solution is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Common side effects

Diarrhea, Nausea, Runny nose

Key warnings

If you have asthma, you should not take formoterol without also using an inhaled corticosteroid medicine.

The sections below are summarized in plain English from formoterol's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.

How It Works

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.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 5,509 FDA adverse event reports.

Most-reported reactions

Adverse reactions in FAERS for formoterol, by number of reports

reports

What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.

Source FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)

Serious Warnings

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.

Known Drug Interactions

moderate aclidinium

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.

Mechanism: 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.

moderate budesonide/formoterol

May potentiate effect of formoterol on vascular system. 7.2 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Tricyclic Antidepressants SYMBICORT should be administered with caution to patients being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, or within 2 weeks of discontinuation of such agents, because the action of formoterol, a component of SYMBICORT, on the vascular system may be potentiated by these agents. 7.3 Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Blocking Agents Beta-blockers (including eye drops) may not only block the pulmonary effect of beta-agonists, such as formoterol, a...

Mechanism: These medicines can work together to increase the effects of formoterol on your heart and blood vessels. This can lead to changes in your heart rate or blood pressure.

moderate glycopyrrolate/formoterol

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 BEVESPI AEROSPHERE, may be potentiated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . 7.2 Xanthine Derivatives, Steroids, or Diuretics Concomitant treatment with xanthine derivatives, steroids, or diuretics may potentiate any hypokalemic effect of beta 2 adrenergic agonists such as formoterol, a component of BEVESPI AEROSPHERE.

Mechanism: Taking two drugs that work the same way can cause a stronger effect on your heart and nervous system. This happens because both drugs stimulate the same receptors in your body.

This is a plain-language summary of FDA-label interaction records and does not provide individual medication-combination directions.

Common Questions

Can I use this medicine for a sudden asthma attack?
No, formoterol is not for treating sudden breathing problems. Use a rescue inhaler for quick relief.
How often should I use this medicine?
Use one vial twice a day, morning and evening.
What should I do if my breathing gets worse?
Contact your doctor right away if your breathing gets worse or if formoterol doesn't seem to be working as well.
Can I mix this medicine with other medicines in my nebulizer?
No, do not mix formoterol with other medicines in the nebulizer unless your doctor tells you to.
How should I store this medicine?
Store it in the refrigerator or at room temperature, protected from light and heat. Discard after 3 months if stored at room temperature.
What type of nebulizer should I use?
Use a standard jet nebulizer connected to an air compressor.
Is it okay if the solution is not clear?
The solution should be clear and colorless. If it's not, do not use it.
Can I take this medicine by mouth?
No, this medicine is only for inhalation using a nebulizer.
What if I accidentally use too much?
Seek medical attention immediately if you use too much formoterol.
Can I stop taking this medicine if I feel better?
Do not stop taking formoterol without talking to your doctor first.
What are the common side effects of formoterol?
The registry lists Diarrhea, Nausea, Runny nose, Dry mouth, Vomiting among the most-reported FAERS reaction terms for formoterol. The compiled record contains 5,509 FDA adverse-event reports. These counts are not an individual symptom assessment.
Does formoterol interact with other medications?
The registry has 3 documented interaction rows for formoterol. Notable source-record pairings include aclidinium, budesonide/formoterol, glycopyrrolate/formoterol. These rows are not a complete medication review.
What drug class is formoterol?
formoterol belongs to the Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA) drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Formoterol inhalation solution is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Is there a generic version of formoterol?
Yes, generic formoterol is available from 9 manufacturers. The generic costs $3.37 per unit compared to $9.29 for the brand version, saving approximately 64%. Pricing is based on NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) data from CMS.
What pregnancy or breastfeeding source fields are listed for formoterol?
The FDA label for formoterol contains product-specific pregnancy or breastfeeding language. PlainMeds does not apply that source text to an individual.

Related Medications in Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA)

Other drugs grouped near formoterol - same-class peers and common alternatives.

aclidinium

Tudorza Pressair

Compare with formoterol →

albuterol

Ventolin, ProAir

Albuterol is a drug that helps you breathe easier.

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albuterol/ipratropium

Combivent Respimat, DuoNeb

Combivent Respimat is a combination medicine that helps open your airways.

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beclomethasone

Qvar

Qvar Redihaler is an inhaled medicine that helps control asthma symptoms.

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benralizumab

Fasenra

Fasenra is a medicine that can help treat severe asthma and EGPA.

Compare with formoterol →

Compare formoterol vs aclidinium side-by-side →

Medication Guides

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Common Drug Interactions

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What the FDA Data Shows for formoterol

The FDA label for formoterol (sold under brand names such as Foradil, Perforomist) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA) class. Formoterol inhalation solution is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Diarrhea, Nausea, Runny nose.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 5,509 voluntary reports. The database also lists 3 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $3.37 versus $9.29 for the brand - a 64% generic savings.

Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information are separate source-record fields. This page is a public FDA/CMS registry and does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. This registry does not provide medication decisions.

Last updated: September 26, 2024

PlainMeds is rendered directly from FDA openFDA/FAERS extracts, DailyMed labels, and CMS drug-pricing files, no number is typed in by an editor. FAERS counts, recalls, shortages, and price figures on this page are queried live from those federal extracts. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-05-15. Primary sources: openFDA / FAERS, DailyMed and CMS Part B ASP.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled from the source snapshot dated . See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a data issue.

All federal data sources used on this page