Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) alternatives: What can I take instead of Brovana?

In this article:

• What can I take in place of Brovana (arformoterol tartrate)?
• Compare Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) alternatives
• Top 5 Brovana alternatives
• Natural alternatives to Brovana (arformoterol tartrate)
• How to switch to a Brovana alternative

In this article

• What can I take in place of Brovana (arformoterol tartrate)?
• Compare Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) alternatives
• Top 5 Brovana alternatives
• Natural alternatives to Brovana (arformoterol tartrate)
• How to switch to a Brovana alternative

Brovana (arformoterol) is the brand name of a nebulization solution medication used to control chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This nebulizer medication is used daily and contains a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA). As an FDA-approved COPD medication, Brovana can be an effective option for people with COPD symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. The medication works as a bronchodilator to relax the muscles around the airways to improve breathing problems. 

Brovana is given through a nebulizer, a small machine that turns liquid medicine into a mist that is inhaled through a mouthpiece or a mask. Brovana is typically used twice daily and is available as a generic nebulization solution, arformoterol. As a longer-acting medication, Brovana typically lasts around 12 hours. Often more than one type of inhaled medication is used in COPD management and alternatives may be needed based on the level of symptom improvement.

RELATED: What is Brovana?

While an effective treatment for some people, Brovana may not be the best option for all people managing COPD symptoms. While inhaled medications are available as nebulization solutions and inhalers, studies show that the devices are similar in effectiveness, as long as they are used properly. All methods work just as well when the correct technique is used. Inhalers are smaller and require no power source. Additionally, because inhalers deliver the medicine much more quickly than a nebulizer, they may be preferred by some people. However, some inhalers require coordination or strong inhalations that older adults may find challenging. Also, some side effects of Brovana may be intolerable for certain people. The preference of the patient is considered when deciding COPD treatment device options.

RELATED: What is a nebulizer? Learn how it works and why you might need one

What can I take in place of Brovana (arformoterol tartrate)?

There are other options available to treat COPD that do not improve with Brovana. These alternative prescription medications include other types of LABAs, short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs), long-acting muscarinic-antagonists (LAMAs), short-acting muscarinic-antagonists (SAMAs), inhaled corticosteroids, combination inhalers, and oral medications. Each treatment plan needs to be individualized as the relationship between severity of symptoms, airflow obstruction, and severity of exacerbations can differ between people. These options may be more suitable for certain individuals due to their different uses, side effect profiles, and dosages.

Other alternatives to Brovana

For people seeking other alternative COPD maintenance treatments, there are a variety of different dosage forms including single medication inhalers, combination medication inhalers, and oral tablet options.

Oral Medications

• Daliresp (roflumilast)
• Terbutaline
• Theo-24 (theophylline)

Combination Products

• Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium and vilanterol)
• Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate and vilanterol)
• Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol)
• Dulera (mometasone and formoterol)
• Stiolto Respimat (tiotropium and olodaterol)
• Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol)

Long-acting Muscarinic Antagonists (LAMAs)

• Glycopyrrolate (Lonhala Magnair)
• Glycopyrrolate (Seebri Neohaler)

Short-acting Beta-agonists (SABAs)

• Proair (albuterol 
• Xopenex (Levalbuterol)

Short-acting Muscarinic Antagonists (SAMAS)

• Ipratropium (Atrovent)

Top 5 Brovana alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternatives to Brovana.

1. Perforomist (formoterol)

Perforomist is a nebulization solution medication that is available as a generic medication called formoterol. Like Brovana, Perforomist is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) used to manage COPD and lasts about 12 hours. Perforomist is currently the only other nebulization formulation of a LABA for COPD. This medication is typically dosed twice daily. Perforomist has been shown to significantly improve FEV1 (forced expiratory volume) and lung volumes, shortness of breath, health status, exacerbation rate and number of hospitalizations for people who have COPD.

2. Serevent Diskus (salmeterol)

Serevent Diskus is an inhaler that contains the medication salmeterol and is currently only available as a brand name inhaler. Like Brovana, Serevent Diskus is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) used to manage COPD but can also be used for asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm. This medication comes in a device called a breath activated inhaler. It’s important for users of this inhaler to carefully read the instructions as this inhaler requires sliding a lever to load the medication followed by a long, deep breath in order to activate the inhaler. Serevent Diskus is dosed twice daily and lasts about 12 hours. As an inhaler option, Serevent Diskus may be a more favorable option for some people.

3. Striverdi Respimat (olodaterol)

Striverdi Respimat is an inhaler that contains the medication olodaterol and is currently only available as a brand name inhaler. Like Brovana, Striverdi Respimat is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) used to manage COPD. However, Striverdi Respimat is only dosed once daily and lasts about 24 hours. This medication comes in a device called a soft mist inhaler. It’s important for users of this inhaler to carefully read the instructions for proper drug administration. As an inhaler option that is only used once daily, Serevent Diskus may be a more convenient option for some people.

4. Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium)

Incruse Ellipta is an inhaler that contains the medication umeclidinium and is currently only available as a brand name inhaler. Incruse Ellipta is a different type of COPD management medication than Brovana and works as a long-acting muscarinic-antagonists (LAMAs). This medication also opens up the airways to improve breathing. Like Brovana, this inhaler is long-acting and lasts even longer than Brovana at about 24 hours. Incruse Ellipta has been shown to improve COPD symptoms, including cough and sputum, and health status. This medication comes in a device called a breath activated inhaler. It’s important for users of this inhaler to carefully read the instructions for proper drug administration. Incruse Ellipta is another inhaler option that is only used once daily and thus may be a more favorable option. 

RELATED: Incruse Ellipta alternatives: What can I take instead of Incruse Ellipta?

5. Advair Diskus (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol)

Advair Diskus is a combination inhaler that is available as a generic medication called Wixela Inhub (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol). This combination inhaler contains two medications, a LABA and an inhaled corticosteroid. Advair Diskus is used to manage COPD and asthma. This medication is dosed twice daily and lasts about 12 hours. With the addition of an inhaled corticosteroid, after using the inhaler it’s important for users to rinse their mouth with water, without swallowing, and spit out. This step helps to prevent the increased risk of a fungal infection called oral candidiasis (oral thrush). As a combination inhaler, Advair Diskus may be more suitable for those who need additional symptom management after not obtaining enough relief from a single medication.

RELATED: 12 things to know about Advair

Natural alternatives to Brovana (arformoterol tartrate)

While there are no well supported natural alternative options to Brovana, such as vitamins or supplements, there are alternative remedies that people with COPD could include as part of their treatment plan. According to the American Lung Association, in addition to prescription drugs, other remedies include pulmonary rehabilitation, supplemental oxygen, and breathing techniques.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of education and exercise to increase awareness about COPD. A goal of this program is learning to achieve exercise with less shortness of breath. The classes are offered in a group setting which provides an opportunity to give and receive peer support. Exercising the lungs and muscles increases activity levels and may even decrease the need for hospital visits.

Supplemental oxygen may be useful in conditions such as COPD, asthma, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and sleep apnea. While it does not cure lung disease, supplemental oxygen is an important therapy that improves symptoms and organ function. Oxygen therapy can help people with COPD feel less tired, sleep better, be more active, and feel less short of breath.

RELATED: COPD vs. asthma: Which is worse?

How to switch to a Brovana alternative

1. Discuss all health conditions with a healthcare provider

Before switching from Brovana to an alternative, it’s important the prescribing doctor has reviewed all health conditions. Alternatives may have serious side effects, precautions, or drug interactions that need to be avoided. It’s best to seek medical advice prior to changing medication therapy. Once a plan is in place, a SingleCare prescription discount card can help with savings on a Brovana alternative and other prescriptions at local pharmacies.

2. Do not suddenly stop taking Brovana

Before stopping Brovana, make a care plan with the prescribing doctor to avoid further worsening COPD symptoms or hospitalizations. Once a plan has been made, Brovana can be safely discontinued and replaced with the new COPD medication.

3. Learn how to use the new inhalation device

If switching from a nebulization inhalation solution to an inhaler, it’s important to learn how to use the new device. There are a variety of different inhaler devices with varying directions for use that require proper technique to make sure the medicine is being delivered correctly. Healthcare professionals, such as a pharmacist, can teach people how to use the inhaler and advise if and how often the specific brand of inhaler needs to be primed. Priming is important to make sure the dosing chamber of certain inhalers fill with the right amount of medication.