Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator used to open air passages in the lungs to improve breathing. It is used to prevent/minimize breathing problems in persons 5 years and older with breathing difficulties (e.g., asthma, bronchospasm). This drug is also used to prevent breathing difficulties brought on by exercise (exercise-induced bronchospasm-EIB). This medication should not be used for a severe/sudden asthma attack. For sudden attacks of asthma, use your quick-relief inhaler as prescribed. This medication is not a substitute for inhaled or oral corticosteroids (e.g., beclomethasone, fluticasone, prednisone). This medication is usually used along with another controller-type asthma medication (such as inhaled corticosteroids). How to use Foradil Aerolizer Inhl Learn the proper use of formoterol, and carefully read the Medication Guide that comes with the product. Consult your pharmacist for more details. Formoterol comes in a capsule. Do not swallow these capsules by mouth. Inhale the contents of the capsule by mouth using the inhaler device, usually one capsule twice daily (morning and evening) or as directed by your doctor. Formoterol must always be used with its own special inhaler device. Use the new inhaler device that you get each time you refill your formoterol prescription. Always discard your old inhaler device. Do not use a "spacer" device with the inhaler. Leave the capsule sealed in the foil packet until just before use. Wash and completely dry hands before touching the capsules. Be sure to inhale rapidly and deeply through the mouthpiece when using this drug. Do not exhale into the inhaler. If you are using this medication to prevent exercise-induced breathing problems (EIB), it should be used at least 15 minutes before exercising. Do not use any more doses of formoterol for the next 12 hours. If you are already using formoterol twice daily, do not use any more doses for EIB. Your asthma must be stable (not worsening) before you start treatment with formoterol. Consult your doctor for more details. Make sure that you understand when to use this medication and when to use any other asthma medications. For example, sudden asthma attacks should still be treated with a quick-relief inhaler (e.g., short-acting bronchodilators such as albuterol). Do not stop using any of your other asthma medications, even if you feel better after starting formoterol. Using too much formoterol or using it too often may result in a decrease in drug effectiveness and an increase in serious side effects. Do not use more than the recommended dosage or take this drug more often than prescribed. Do not stop or decrease the dose of other asthma medications (e.g., inhaled corticosteroids such as beclomethasone) without your doctor's approval. If you are using short-acting bronchodilators on a regular schedule (such as every six hours), you should stop taking them while using this drug. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following signs of worsening asthma: the usual doses of your asthma medications no longer control symptoms, your quick-relief inhaler is less effective, or you need to use the quick-relief inhaler more often than usual (e.g., more than 4 puffs per day or more than 1 inhaler every 8 weeks). Do not increase your dose of formoterol in this situation. When used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor immediately if this medication stops working well.