Exercise FAQ

Q. Why is exercise important for me?

Q. Will exercising make it easier for me to breathe?

Q. What kinds of exercises should I do?

Q. How do I know if I’m exercising hard enough?

Q. How can I keep myself motivated to exercise?

Q. Why is exercise important for me?

There are 2 very good reasons to exercise:

It makes you feel good about yourself and may improve your mental attitude. When you feel good about yourself, you may find you feel better!
Lack of exercise affects people with COPD in some of the same ways it affects people without COPD:
- Your muscles, including your heart, will get weaker
- Your shortness of breath may increase
- Your capacity to exercise will decrease
- Your immune system may weaken, making it harder for you to fight infection

Q. Will exercising make it easier for me to breathe?

It just might. Exercise improves the way your body uses oxygen. As a result, exercising may help you with everyday activities at work and at home. You may find it easier to shop, cook, have some fun, and spend time with your friends.

There are psychological benefits, too:

Exercise usually helps you feel good about yourself
You may find yourself less anxious about shortness of breath
You may feel less tired and more energetic
Increased energy can help you be more independent

Taking control of your COPD through exercise is about improving the quality of your life.

For more information on exercising, check out the following sites:

NOTE: Talk to your doctor about a plan that’s right for you.

Q. What kinds of exercises should I do?

It is important to find your comfort level with an exercise regiment that feels good but doesn’t cause distress.

Exercises for COPD are simple to do and don’t take too much time. Your doctor or pulmonary rehabilitation program may suggest 2 types of exercise:

Aerobic exercises, which increase oxygen flow to your muscles
Upper and lower body exercises, which stretch and strengthen muscles

Q. How do I know if I’m exercising hard enough?

If you can talk while you exercise, you should be in the zone
If you can't talk and exercise at the same time, you’re probably exercising too hard
If you can sing while you exercise, you may not be exercising hard enough

Q. How can I keep myself motivated to exercise?

Try whatever you can to keep up your interest in exercising:

Work up to sustaining your activity for 20 to 30 minutes 2 to 4 times a week. Let yourself feel proud when you achieve your goals
Alternate your exercise activities such as swimming, walking, upper-body weight training, and low-impact aerobics
Turn your exercising into fun. Do the things you enjoy the most
Work out with a friend. Share the time and keep up the conversation. Remember, you should be able to talk while exercising
Exercise in your chair if you have trouble standing

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning.

Approved Use

Maintenance Treatment of COPD. PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution is approved for the long-term, twice-daily (morning and evening) use in the maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: INCREASED RISK OF ASTHMA-RELATED DEATH

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution belongs to a class of medications known as long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonists or LABAs. Long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonists may increase the risk of asthma-related death. Data from a large placebo-controlled US study comparing the safety of another long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist (salmeterol) or placebo added to usual asthma therapy showed an increase in asthma-related deaths in patients receiving salmeterol. This finding with salmeterol may apply to formoterol (a long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist), the active ingredient in PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution. [See WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS.]

Important Limitations of Use

Deteriorating COPD

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be used in patients with rapidly worsening COPD, which may be a life-threatening condition.

Asthma

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution is not indicated to treat asthma.

Warnings and Precautions

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not used for the relief of sudden symptoms, i.e., as rescue therapy for bronchospasm (wheezing or coughing). Sudden symptoms should be treated with a fast-acting rescue inhaler.

Excessive Use of PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution and Use With Other Long-Acting Beta-Agonists PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should not be used more often, or at higher doses than recommended, or with other inhaled, long-acting beta₂-agonists, at the same time because of the risk of an overdose. Serious heart effects and fatalities have been reported with too high doses of inhaled adrenaline-like drugs.

Paradoxical Bronchospasm

As with other inhaled beta₂-agonists, PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution can produce paradoxical bronchospasm (unexpected tightening of breathing tubes) that may be life threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should be immediately stopped and a different therapy started.

Cardiovascular Effects

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution, like other beta₂-agonists, can produce serious heart-related effects in some patients as measured by higher pulse rate and higher blood pressure.

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution should be used with caution in patients with heart disease, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and high blood pressure; in patients with convulsive disorders or thyrotoxicosis; and in patients who are unusually responsive to adrenaline-like drugs.

Coexisting Conditions

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution, like other adrenaline-like drugs, should be used with caution in patients with convulsive disorders or thyrotoxicosis, and in patients who are unusually responsive to adrenaline-like drugs. Doses of the related beta₂-agonist albuterol, when administered intravenously, have been reported to worsen preexisting diabetes.

Drug Interactions

MAO Inhibitors, Tricyclic Antidepressants and QTc Prolonging Drugs

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution, like other beta₂-agonists, should be used with extreme caution in patients being treated with certain antidepressants (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 increased by these agents.

Adverse Events

PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution was studied in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled trial (123 subjects treated with PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution) and a 52-week, active-controlled trial (463 subjects treated with PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution). The most common adverse events reported in patients taking PERFOROMIST Inhalation Solution, and occurring more frequently than in patients taking placebo, were diarrhea (5%), nausea (5%), nasopharyngitis (3%), dry mouth (3%), dizziness (2%), and insomnia (2%).

This Web site provides useful information about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the maintenance treatment of COPD with PERFOROMIST (formoterol fumarate) Inhalation Solution. Please consult with your healthcare practitioner, who is your best source for diagnosing COPD and recommending appropriate treatment.

PERFOROMIST is a registered trademark of Dey, L.P. DEY^® is a registered trademark of Dey, L.P. U.S. Patent Nos. 6,814,953 and 6,667,344.