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Foradil is used in patients with asthma to help prevent asthma attacks. It relaxes the patient’s airways to help improve breathing. However, it should not be used to stop an asthma attack that has already begun because it does not work as fast as short-acting inhalation medicines.

Asthma occurs when the person’s airways become constricted and it becomes difficult to breathe. Asthma is a chronic illness, which means it is persistent and most likely permanent. Asthma affects a person’s lungs, which become inflamed and sensitive. Because the airways are sensitive, allergens and other air particles make the inflammation worse, which can lead to an asthma attack. Asthma attacks are very dangerous, and if the person doesn’t receive immediate treatment, the attack can lead to death. Attacks can close the airways completely, making breathing close to impossible.

Foradil is used to prevent these attacks. What is important for patients to remember is that Foradil cannot be used once an attack has begun. It will not stop the attack, and in some cases it could increase the symptoms.

• exercise-induced bronchospasm, which are asthma-like symptoms that occur five to 15 minutes after completing physical exercise
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which are diseases like bronchitis and emphysema that make it difficult to breathe and create excess mucous in the lungs

• it can increase the chances of death from an asthma attack
• it does not relieve sudden symptoms
• allergic reactions in people with milk allergies
• rash, hives, swelling and breathing problems
• chest pain
• increased blood pressure
• irregular heartbeat
• headache

In 2005, the FDA alerted health care providers that Foradil, as well as several other medications, had been linked to increasingly worse bronchospasms (wheezing) in some people, and that the manufacturers should update their labels. Foradil’s new labeling was approved in 2006.