Perforomist (formoterol fumarate) product packaging
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DOSING

Dosing

PERFOROMIST® (formoterol fumarate) Inhalation Solution is used for the long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. It is only to be used with a standard jet nebulizer attached to an air compressor and is taken twice daily (morning and evening).

The recommended dose of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution is one 20 mcg unit-dose vial administered twice daily (morning and evening) by nebulization. A total daily dose greater than 40 mcg is not recommended.1

  • PERFOROMIST must be administered by the orally inhaled route via a standard jet nebulizer connected to an air compressor.1

  • PERFOROMIST should always be stored in the foil pouch and removed only immediately before use. Contents of any partially used container should be discarded.1

  • The drug compatibility (physical and chemical), efficacy and safety of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution when mixed with other drugs in a nebulizer have not been established.1

  • If the recommended maintenance treatment regimen fails to provide the usual response, medical advice should be sought immediately, as this is often a sign of destabilization of COPD. Under these circumstances, the therapeutic regimen should be re-evaluated.1

Dosage Forms and Strengths

 

PERFOROMIST (formoterol fumarate) Inhalation Solution is supplied as a sterile solution for nebulization in low-density polyethylene unit-dose vials. Each vial contains formoterol fumarate dihydrate, USP equivalent to 20 mcg/2 mL of formoterol fumarate.1

 

Overdosage

The expected signs and symptoms with overdosage of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution are those of excessive beta-adrenergic stimulation and/or occurrence or exaggeration of any of the signs and symptoms listed under the Adverse Reactions section of the full Prescribing Information. Signs and symptoms may include angina, hypertension or hypotension, tachycardia with rates up to 200 beats/min, arrhythmias, nervousness, headache, tremor, seizures, muscle cramps, dry mouth, palpitation, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, insomnia, hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, and metabolic acidosis. As with all inhaled sympathomimetic medications, cardiac arrest and even death may be associated with an overdose of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution.

Treatment of overdosage consists of discontinuation of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution together with institution of appropriate symptomatic and/or supportive therapy. The judicious use of a cardioselective beta-receptor blocker may be considered, bearing in mind that such medication can produce bronchospasm. There is insufficient evidence to determine if dialysis is beneficial for overdosage of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution. Cardiac monitoring is recommended in cases of overdosage.1

For additional information about overdose treatment, call a poison control center (1-800-222-1222).

PERFOROMIST can be used in ANY standard jet nebulizer:

  • Doesn’t require hand-breath coordination — calm, deep, even breathing is sufficient1
  • Modern nebulizers can be portable and battery-operated9
  • PERFOROMIST can be stored in room temperature for up to 3 months1
    - Longer than any other nebulized LABA

Consider asking patients periodically to demonstrate how they use their inhaler or nebulizer, including set up and clean up, to check for proper technique.

Learn more about PERFOROMIST efficacy and safety.

PERFOROMIST Medicare Reimbursement

Learn how to submit PERFOROMIST claims under Medicare Part B

Learn how
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

(the following information applies to both PERFOROMIST and its Authorized Generic)

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Contraindications: Use of a LABA, including PERFOROMIST, without an inhaled corticosteroid is contraindicated in patients with asthma. PERFOROMIST is not indicated for the treatment of asthma.

Serious Asthma-Related Events: Use of long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists (LABA) as monotherapy [without inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)] for asthma is associated with an increased risk of asthma-related death. Available data from controlled clinical trials also suggest that use of LABA as monotherapy increases the risk of asthma-related hospitalization in pediatric and adolescent patients. These findings are considered a class effect of LABA monotherapy. When LABA are used in fixed-dose combination with ICS, data from large clinical trials do not show a significant increase in the risk of serious asthma-related events (hospitalizations, intubations, death) compared with ICS alone. Available data do not suggest an increased risk of death with use of LABA in patients with COPD.

Deterioration of Disease and Acute Episodes: PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be initiated in patients with acutely deteriorating COPD, which may be a life-threatening condition. PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be used for the relief of acute symptoms, i.e., as rescue therapy for the treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm.

Excessive Use and Use with Other LABAs: PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be used more often, at higher doses than recommended, or in conjunction with other inhaled, long-acting beta2-agonists, as an overdose may result. Clinically significant cardiovascular effects and fatalities have been reported in association with excessive use of inhaled sympathomimetic drugs.

Paradoxical Bronchospasm: As with other inhaled beta2-agonists, PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution can produce paradoxical bronchospasm that may be life threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted.

Cardiovascular Effects: PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution, like other beta2-agonists, can produce a clinically significant cardiovascular effect in some patients as measured by increases in pulse rate, systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure, and/or symptoms. PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias and hypertension.

Coexisting Conditions: PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution, like other sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution, especially in patients with convulsive disorders or thyrotoxicosis, and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines. Doses of the related beta2-agonist albuterol, when administered intravenously, have been reported to aggravate preexisting diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis.

Hypokalemia and Hyperglycemia: Beta-agonist medications may produce significant hypokalemia in some patients, which has the potential to produce adverse cardiovascular effects. The decrease in serum potassium is usually transient, not requiring supplementation. Beta-agonists can produce transient hyperglycemia.

Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur after administration of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution, as demonstrated by cases of anaphylactic reactions, urticaria, angioedema, rash, and bronchospasm.

Use in Special Populations: PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution, as with other beta2-agonists, should be used with extreme caution in patients being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, or drugs known to prolong the QTc interval because the action of adrenergic agonists on the cardiovascular system may be potentiated by these agents.

Drug Interactions: Beta-blockers and formoterol fumarate may inhibit the effect of each other when administered concurrently. Therefore, patients with COPD should not normally be treated with beta-blockers except under certain circumstances e.g., as prophylaxis after myocardial infarction, there may be no acceptable alternatives to the use of beta-blockers in patients with COPD.

Concomitant treatment with xanthine derivatives, steroids, or diuretics may potentiate any hypokalemic effect of adrenergic agonists. The EKG changes and/or hypokalemia that may result from the administration of non-potassium sparing diuretics (such as loop or thiazide diuretics) can be acutely worsened by beta-agonists, so caution is advised in the coadministration.

Most Common Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (≥2% and more common than placebo) with PERFOROMIST are diarrhea, nausea, nasopharyngitis, dry mouth, vomiting, dizziness, and insomnia.

Indication
PERFOROMIST® (formoterol fumarate) Inhalation Solution is indicated for the 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.

Important Limitations for Use:

  • It is not indicated to treat acute deteriorations of COPD.
  • It is not indicated to treat asthma. The safety and effectiveness of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution in asthma has not been established.

For additional information please contact us at 800-395-3376.

Click here for Full Prescribing Information.