Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. As with other drugs, Brovana can cause side effects, such as diarrhea, rash, and chest pain.

Brovana can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Brovana in clinical trials:

  • back or chest pain
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • shortness of breath
  • leg cramps

Mild side effects can occur with Brovana use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Brovana’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Brovana include:

  • back or chest pain
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • sinusitis (sinus infection)
  • shortness of breath
  • edema (swelling in the hands, arms, legs, or feet)
  • leg cramps
  • chest or lung congestion
  • flu symptoms
  • tremor

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Brovana and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Brovana may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Brovana’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while using Brovana, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • Bronchitis (an infection in the lungs), which may include symptoms such as:
    • fever
    • cough
    • sore throat
  • Hypokalemia, which may include symptoms such as:
    • muscle cramping, twitching, or weakness
    • irregular heartbeat (heartbeat that’s too slow, too fast, or uneven)
    • loss of appetite
  • Hyperglycemia (low potassium blood levels), which may include symptoms such as:
  • Paradoxical bronchospasm (muscles in the lungs tighten)*
  • Heart problems*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Brovana inhalation solution can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep using the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Brovana, your doctor may recommend using a different medication instead.

Brovana may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do side effects of Brovana compare to those seen with Symbicort?

Brovana and Symbicort both contain a long-acting beta2 agonist. However, Symbicort also contains a corticosteroid, while Brovana does not. These medications have some similar side effects. But because Symbicort also contains a corticosteroid, it has some additional side effects, such as oral thrush, sore throat, and upset stomach.

For more information on the side effects associated with Brovana or Symbicort, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Brovana cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Long-term side effects from Brovana aren’t common, but they can occur. Long-term side effects include those that may start at any time while you’re using the drug or those that don’t go away, even after you stop using the drug.

It’s possible to develop heart-related side effects, such as high blood pressure or an increased heart rate while using Brovana. These side effects may continue during treatment with the drug. To learn more, see “Side effect specifics” below.

If you’re concerned about long-term side effects during treatment with Brovana, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Brovana may cause. To find out how often side effects were reported in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Brovana.

Paradoxical bronchospasm

Using Brovana may increase your risk of paradoxical bronchospasm. This is a sudden and unexpected tightening of the airways that happens after using the drug. It’s unexpected because Brovana is meant to relax your airways. How often this side effect occurred with Brovana wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms of paradoxical bronchospasm may include:

  • cough
  • wheezing
  • pain or tightness in your chest
  • feeling tired

What you can do

If you experience shortness of breath or other symptoms of bronchospasm immediately after your dose of Brovana, get medical help right away. If you feel your symptoms are life threatening, call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to your closest emergency room.

Heart problems

Brovana can cause changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or heart rhythm. These side effects were commonly reported in clinical studies of the drug. Symptoms of a heart problem may include:

What you can do

You shouldn’t use Brovana more often than your doctor prescribes. This could increase your risk of heart-related side effects. If you have high blood pressure or another heart problem, it’s possible using Brovana could worsen your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you develop chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or other side effects of a heart problem.

Below is important information you should consider before using Brovana.

Before using Brovana, discuss your health history with your doctor. Brovana may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

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.