Perforomist (formoterol) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. Perforomist comes as a liquid that’s inhaled with a nebulizer twice per day.

Perforomist belongs to a drug class called long-acting beta2 agonists. Perforomist is available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Perforomist, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Perforomist, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Perforomist provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Perforomist, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

The information below describes Perforomist’s typical dosage and other details about the drug.

Perforomist form

Perforomist comes as a single-dose vial of liquid solution that is used with a nebulizer. A nebulizer is a machine that turns the liquid solution into a mist that you can inhale.

Perforomist strength

Perforomist comes in one strength of 20 micrograms (mcg) per 2 milliliters (mL) of solution (20 mcg/2 mL).

Typical dosages

The following information describes the commonly prescribed dosage for adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dose and frequency for COPD

Doctors may prescribe Perforomist to treat COPD.

If your doctor prescribes Perforomist, your starting dose for COPD will likely be one single-dose vial inhaled using a nebulizer. Typically, you’ll take this twice per day, one in the morning and one in the evening. The two doses should be spaced about 12 hours apart.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

How to take Perforomist

Perforomist comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose vial. It’s used with a nebulizer to make a mist that you can inhale. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to use a nebulizer before you start Perforomist treatment.

You should not mix Perforomist with other medications in your nebulizer.

Keep in mind that Perforomist is not a rescue medication for sudden breathing problems. You’ll still need your rescue medication inhaler to relieve sudden symptoms of COPD. If you don’t have one, talk with your doctor to get a prescription for it.

If you have questions about how to use Perforomist, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Long-term treatment

Perforomist is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Perforomist is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Before you start taking Perforomist, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Perforomist.

How do the dosages of Perforomist and budesonide compare?

The dosages of Perforomist and budesonide inhalation suspension (Pulmicort Respules) are similar.

Budesonide is a corticosteroid medication prescribed to treat asthma in certain children. It comes as a liquid suspension (a type of mixture) that’s inhaled using a nebulizer. Unlike Perforomist, this form of budesonide isn’t approved to treat COPD. Budesonide inhalation suspension is used once per day or divided into two doses per day.

You can learn more about how the dosages of these two medications compare by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.

What’s the Perforomist dose for asthma?

Perforomist isn’t approved to treat asthma. Other medications containing the same active ingredient as Perforomist are available and can be used to treat asthma. The active ingredient in Perforomist is formoterol. But these medications combine formoterol with a corticosteroid, such as budesonide.

If you have questions about medications that help treat asthma, talk with your doctor to learn more.

It’s important that you don’t use more Perforomist than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Symptoms of an overdose

Overdose symptoms of Perforomist can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Perforomist

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Perforomist. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.