A long-acting reliever (LABA) nebuliser solution for COPD
Arformoterol
A long-acting bronchodilator nebuliser solution used to keep the airways open in COPD.
What is Arformoterol?
Arformoterol is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) given as a nebuliser solution to keep the airways open in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It works by relaxing the muscle around the airways so breathing is easier over many hours. It is a regular maintenance treatment, not a quick reliever for sudden breathlessness. A very important safety point is that a LABA must never be used on its own to treat asthma, as this raises the risk of serious asthma attacks; in asthma it is only used together with an inhaled steroid. Common effects include tremor, a faster heartbeat and, sometimes, a drop in blood potassium.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Arformoterol — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Arformoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator, a type of medicine that relaxes and opens the airways. It belongs to the group called long-acting beta-agonists, or LABAs. It is given as a solution through a nebuliser, a device that turns the liquid into a fine mist to breathe in, which suits people who find inhalers difficult or have more severe COPD. It is used as a regular maintenance treatment to keep the airways open over the day, helping with breathlessness and exercise. It is not a rescue treatment for sudden symptoms, for which a fast-acting reliever is used instead.
How it works
Arformoterol stimulates beta receptors on the muscle that surrounds the airways, causing that muscle to relax. This widens the airways and makes it easier for air to move in and out, easing breathlessness in COPD for many hours. Because the effect is long-lasting, it is taken regularly to keep the airways open throughout the day rather than only when symptoms strike. The same stimulation of beta receptors elsewhere in the body explains some of its side effects, such as tremor and a faster heartbeat, and it can also lower the level of potassium in the blood.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A long-acting bronchodilator given through a nebuliser to keep the airways open in people with COPD.
What it treats
Conditions Arformoterol is used for
Practical use
How to take Arformoterol
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Use it regularly through your nebuliser as prescribed, as it is a maintenance treatment that works over many hours.
- Keep a separate fast-acting reliever for sudden breathlessness, as arformoterol is not a rescue treatment.
- Never use it as the only treatment for asthma; in asthma a LABA must always be combined with an inhaled steroid.
- Tell your prescriber if your breathing gets worse or you need your reliever more often, as your treatment may need reviewing.
- Mention any heart problems, thyroid problems, diabetes or low potassium before starting, as these need extra care.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Arformoterol
Advantages
- Keeps the airways open over many hours, easing breathlessness in COPD.
- Given as a nebuliser mist, which can suit people who struggle with inhalers or have more severe disease.
- A convenient long-acting maintenance option taken regularly.
Disadvantages
- Not a rescue treatment, so a separate fast-acting reliever is still needed.
- Can cause tremor, a faster heartbeat and, sometimes, low blood potassium.
- Must never be used alone in asthma because of the risk of serious asthma attacks.
Practical use
Good to know
The single most important safety point with any LABA, including arformoterol, is that it must never be used on its own to treat asthma: used alone in asthma it has been linked with serious, even fatal, asthma attacks, so in asthma a LABA is only ever used together with an inhaled steroid. Arformoterol is mainly a COPD maintenance treatment and is not a rescue medicine, so you should keep a separate fast-acting reliever for sudden breathlessness. Common effects include a fine tremor (often of the hands), a faster or pounding heartbeat, headache and, sometimes, muscle cramps; it can also lower blood potassium, which matters more if you take other medicines that do the same, such as some water tablets. Tell your prescriber if you have heart problems, an overactive thyroid, diabetes or low potassium, as these need extra care.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to arformoterol should not use it.
- It must not be used as the sole treatment for asthma, where a LABA alone increases the risk of serious asthma attacks.
- It is used with caution in people with heart problems, an irregular or fast heartbeat, an overactive thyroid, diabetes or low blood potassium.
Monitoring
- Reviewing breathing symptoms, reliever use and how well COPD is controlled.
- Checking heart rate and, where appropriate, blood potassium in people at higher risk.
- Reviewing inhaler and nebuliser technique and overall treatment.
Side effects
- A fine tremor, often of the hands.
- A faster or pounding heartbeat, and sometimes headache.
- Muscle cramps and, sometimes, a drop in blood potassium.
Key interactions
- Other medicines that can lower potassium, such as some water tablets and steroids, can add to that effect.
- Beta-blockers can work against arformoterol and reduce how well it opens the airways.
- Medicines that affect the heart's rhythm should be reviewed, and you should give your full medicines list.
Available as: A solution for use in a nebuliser.
Answers
Arformoterol: frequently asked questions
What is arformoterol used for?
It is a long-acting bronchodilator nebuliser solution used to keep the airways open in people with COPD, easing breathlessness over many hours.
Can I use it as a rescue treatment?
No. It is a regular maintenance medicine, not a rescue inhaler; keep a separate fast-acting reliever for sudden breathlessness.
Can it be used for asthma?
A LABA like arformoterol must never be used alone in asthma, as this raises the risk of serious asthma attacks; in asthma it is only used with an inhaled steroid.
Why do my hands shake after using it?
A fine tremor, often of the hands, along with a faster heartbeat, is a common effect of this type of medicine and usually settles.
Does it affect potassium?
It can lower blood potassium, which matters more if you take other medicines that do the same, so your team may check this in people at higher risk.
The wider class
About Long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), nebulised
Arformoterol belongs to the long-acting beta-agonist (laba), nebulised class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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