Formoterol
Formoterol (top), (R,R)-(−)-formoterol (center) and (S,S)-(+)-formoterol (bottom) | |
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| Trade names | Oxeze, Foradil, Symbicort, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
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| Routes of administration | Inhalation (capsules for oral inhalation, DPI, MDI) |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Protein binding | 61% to 64% |
| Metabolism | Liver demethylation and glucuronidation (CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9 and CYP2A6 involved) |
| Elimination half-life | 10 h |
| Excretion | Kidney and fecal |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.131.654 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C19H24N2O4 |
| Molar mass | 344.411 g·mol−1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
| Chirality | Racemic mixture |
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Formoterol, also known as eformoterol, is a long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) used as a bronchodilator in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Formoterol has an extended duration of action (up to 12 h) compared to short-acting β2 agonists such as salbutamol (albuterol), which are effective for 4 h to 6 h. Formoterol has a relatively rapid onset of action compared to other LABAs, and is effective within 2-3 minutes. The 2022 Global Initiative for Asthma report recommends a combination formoterol/inhaled corticosteroid inhaler as both a preventer and reliever treatment for asthma in adults. In children, a short-acting β2 adrenergic agonist (e.g., salbutamol) is still recommended.
It was patented in 1972 and came into medical use in 1998. It is available as a generic medication. It is also marketed in the combination formulations budesonide/formoterol and mometasone/formoterol.