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Getting Good Results with PERFOROMIST®

How to Take There are a few simple steps involved in setting up a nebulizer system. Read the steps and watch the video. View now.
Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide Be sure to read the patient medication guide at the end of the full prescribing information that describes how to take PERFOROMIST. Find guidance.

Simple Steps for Getting the Most Out of Your Treatment

  • Follow your doctor's advice exactly.
  • Make sure you understand how to use the nebulizer. Learn more here.
  • Keep a copy of the medication guide easily available.
  • Fill your prescription on time.
  • Do not stop treatment if you are feeling better.
    • Your breathing can get worse if you stop the medication.1
    • If you do feel better, that means your maintenance treatment is working!

Many people with COPD also have other chronic (long-term) health conditions. It can be challenging to manage more than one condition. Your breathing is just as important as other aspects of your well-being, such as your blood sugar or heart health.

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions, and keep a list of your medications for your doctors and pharmacist.1 Call your doctor's office when needed with concerns about your symptoms and overall health, and call your doctor right away if your breathing problems worsen.1

Caregivers Can Help Too

You may be helping a loved one manage COPD on a daily basis. You may also be the one to set up the nebulizer. Watch the How to Neb video for a full demonstration. Using a nebulizer can become part of a routine. The person using the nebulizer may want to read, watch TV, browse the Internet or do a relaxing activity like a crossword puzzle or sudoku during the approximately nine minutes it takes to get the full dose of medicine.

People using a nebulizer have said they feel a greater sense of control over COPD symptoms—and feel less dependent on others (like yourself) for help.25 This can be a boost to a person struggling with the limitations that can make COPD a burden.

Next topic: Frequently Asked Questions

References

  1. PERFOROMIST Prescribing Information. Napa, CA: Dey Pharma, L.P. 2010.
  2. Gross NJ, Nelson HS, Lapidus RJ, et al; Formoterol Study Group. Efficacy and safety of formoterol fumarate delivered by nebulization to COPD patients. Respir Med. 2008;102(2):189-197.
  3. Mannino DM et al. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2002;51:1-13.
  4. National Institutes of Health/U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Diseases and Conditions Index. What is COPD? Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html. Accessed July 13, 2011.
  5. Rodriguez-Roisin R, Anzueto A, Bourbeau J, et al; GOLD Executive Committee. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (updated 2009). Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease website: http://www.goldcopd.org/guidelines-global-strategy-for-diagnosis-management.html. Accessed March 8, 2010.
  6. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: National Institutes of Health. When you are diagnosed with COPD. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/breathing-better/taking-action.htm. Accessed July 13, 2011.
  7. American Lung Association. Living with COPD: a life change. Available at: http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/copd/living-with-copd/life-change.html. Accessed July 13, 2011.
  8. CDC FastStats: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Includes: Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/copd.htm. Accessed April 11, 2011.
  9. CDC Vital and Health Statistics. Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2009. Hyattsville, Maryland. 8/2010.
  10. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Caregiver tip sheet. Available at: http://www.strokecamp.com/content/resourcesCAR/CaregiverTipSheet.pdf. Accessed on July 13, 2011.
  11. Data on file. Evaluation of concepts for Perforomist. Dey #0257 Final research report (market research). LinguiSearch. March 23, 2011.
  12. Nelson HS, Gross NJ, Levine B, et al. Formoterol Study Group. Cardiac safety profile of nebulized formoterol in adults with COPD: a 12-week, multicenter, ranodmized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo- and active-controlled trial [published correction appears in Clin Ther. 2009;31(4):920].
  13. Spiriva HandiHaler Prescribing Information. Ridgefield, CT: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and New York, NY: Pfizer Inc. 2010.
  14. Dolovich MB, Ahrens RC, Hess DR, et al. Device selection and outcomes of aerosol treatment: evidence-based guidelines. Chest. 2005;127(1):335-371.
  15. Pari Trek S Compact Compressor Nebulizer System. Instructions for use. Revised 2006.
  16. Geller DE. Comparing clinical features of the nebulizer, metered-dose inhaler, and dry powder inhaler. Respir Care. 2005;50:1313-1321.
  17. Advair HFA Prescribing Information. Research Triangle Park, NC: GlaxoSmithKline. 2011.
  18. Press VG, Arora VM, Shah LM, et al. Misuse of respiratory inhalers in hospitalized patients with asthma or COPD. J Gen Intern Med. In press.
  19. Van der Palen J, Klein JJ, Kerkhoff AH, van Herwaarden CL, Seydel ER. Evaluation of the long-term effectiveness of three instruction modes for inhaling medicines. Pt Ed Couns. 1997;32:S87-S95.
  20. Data on file. Survey conducted by KRC Research: COPD Patient and Caregiver Studies, March 2009. Dey Pharma, LP.
  21. Advair Diskus Prescribing Information. Research Triangle Park, NC: GlaxoSmithKline. 2011.
  22. Pulmicort Flexhaler Prescribing Information. Södertälje, Sweden: AstraZeneca. 2010.
  23. Mayo Clinic. Asthma inhalers: which one’s right for you? Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma-inhalers/HQ01081/METHOD=print. Accessed August 22, 2011.
  24. Symbicort Prescribing Information. Dunkerque, France: AstraZeneca. 2010.
  25. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Department of Health and Human Services, USA. Medicare and Home Health Care. Available at: www.medicare.gov.
  26. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicaid Program—General Information: Overview. Available at: www.cms.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/. Accessed June 23, 2011.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including Boxed Warning.

Indication

PERFOROMIST (formoterol fumarate) Inhalation Solution is used for the long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic inflammation of the lungs (bronchitis) and emphysema. It is only to be used with a nebulizer and is taken twice daily (morning and evening).

WARNING: ASTHMA-RELATED DEATH

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution belongs to a class of drugs called long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA). People with asthma who take LABA such as PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution have an increased risk of death from asthma problems. Do not use PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution if you have asthma without using a long-term asthma control medicine.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Warnings and Precautions
PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be used instead of rescue inhaler or nebulized medicine for the treatment of acute symptoms. Extra doses of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be used for that purpose since overuse can cause serious heart problems, including death. Acute or sudden symptoms should be treated with an inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist. Seek immediate medical attention if:

  • your symptoms quickly worsen despite recommended doses of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution
  • PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution treatment becomes less effective
  • you need more inhalations of a short-acting beta2-agonist (rescue inhaler or nebulized medicine) than usual.

Do not use PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution with other LABA medicines for any reason.

How to Use PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution
Use PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution exactly as directed by your health care professional. Do not stop using PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution or other medicines to control or treat your COPD unless told to do so by your health care professional because your symptoms might get worse. Your health care professional will change your medicines as needed.

Co-existing Conditions
The use of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution with certain health conditions or with certain medications can cause serious side effects. Tell your health care professional about all of your health conditions, including if you:

  • have heart problems
  • have high blood pressure
  • have diabetes
  • have seizures
  • have thyroid problems
  • have liver problems
  • are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution can harm an unborn baby.
  • are breastfeeding. It is not known if PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution passes into breast milk and if it can harm your baby.

Drug Interactions
Tell your health care professional about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution and certain other medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects.

Side Effects
The most common side effects reported in patients taking PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution were diarrhea, nausea, nasopharyngitis, dry mouth, dizziness, and insomnia. Serious side effects may include sudden shortness of breath, serious allergic reactions, chest pain, increased or decreased blood pressure, a fast and irregular heartbeat, low blood potassium, high blood sugar, and high blood acid.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.