BROVANA FAQs
What is the indication for BROVANA®
What is the recommended daily dose of BROVANA?
Can the BROVANA solution be diluted?
Can BROVANA be mixed with any other drug?
How should BROVANA be stored?
What's the most important information I should know about BROVANA?
What are the possible common side effects reported with BROVANA?
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using BROVANA?
Can BROVANA be used in pregnant women or nursing mothers?
How should I use BROVANA?
How long does BROVANA last?
Is BROVANA covered by insurance?
What is the indication for BROVANA®?
BROVANA is for the long-term, twice-daily (morning and evening) maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. BROVANA is for use by nebulization only.1
What is the recommended daily dose of BROVANA?
The recommended daily dose of BROVANA for COPD patients is 15 mcg (1 ready-to-use vial) twice daily (morning and evening) by nebulization. A total daily dose greater than 30 mcg (15 mcg twice daily) is not recommended. BROVANA is for use by nebulization only.1
Can the BROVANA solution be diluted?
No, BROVANA cannot be diluted. Use BROVANA exactly as prescribed. One ready-to-use vial of BROVANA is one dose. The dose of BROVANA is 1 vial twice a day (morning and evening) breathed in through your nebulizer machine.2
Can BROVANA be mixed with any other drug?
Do not mix other medicines with BROVANA in your nebulizer machine.2
How should BROVANA be stored?
Store BROVANA in the protective foil pouch under refrigeration at 36°-46°F (2°-8°C). Protect from light and excessive heat. After opening the pouch, unused ready-to-use vials should be returned to, and stored in, the pouch. An opened, ready-to-use vial should be used right away. Discard any ready-to-use vial if the solution is not colorless. Unopened foil pouches of BROVANA can also be stored at room temperature 68°-77°F, (20°-25°C) for up to 6 weeks. If stored at room temperature, discard if not used after 6 weeks, or if past the expiration date, whichever is sooner.2
What's the most important information I should know about BROVANA?
BROVANA is a medicine called a long-acting beta2-agonist or LABA. BROVANA is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In patients with asthma, LABA medicines such as BROVANA may increase the chance of asthma-related death from asthma problems. It is not known if LABA medicines, such as BROVANA, increase the chance of death in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). BROVANA does not relieve sudden symptoms of COPD. Always have a short-acting beta2-agonist medicine with you to treat sudden symptoms. If you do not have an inhaled short-acting bronchodilator, call
your healthcare provider to have one prescribed for you.2
Get emergency medical care if:
- breathing problems worsen quickly
- you use your short-acting beta2-agonist medicine, but it does not relieve your breathing problems
Do not stop using BROVANA unless told to do so by your healthcare provider because your symptoms might get worse.
BROVANA should not be used in children. BROVANA has not been studied in children.2
What are the possible common side effects reported with BROVANA?
In two 12-week clinical trials, the possible common side effects reported in patients taking BROVANA 15 mcg twice daily were sinusitis, pain, chest pain, back pain, and diarrhea.1 Other possible side effects include: increased or decreased blood pressure, a fast and irregular heartbeat, headache, tremor, nervousness, dry mouth, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, low or high blood potassium, high blood sugar, high blood acid, and trouble sleeping.2
In patients with asthma, long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) medicines such as BROVANA may increase the chance of asthma-related death from asthma problems. Serious allergic reactions including rash, hives, swelling of the face, mouth, and tongue, and breathing problems can occur. Call your doctor or get emergency medical care if you get any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
These are not all the side effects with BROVANA. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.2
Please see the Medication Guide.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using BROVANA?
Tell your doctor about all of your health conditions, including if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures, thyroid problems, diabetes, liver problems, or if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if BROVANA can harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. It is not known if BROVANA can pass into your milk and harm your baby.2
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. BROVANA and certain other medicines may interact with each other. This may cause serious side effects.2
Can BROVANA be used in pregnant women or nursing mothers?
Before taking BROVANA, tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or nursing.2 BROVANA has not been studied in pregnant women or nursing mothers. BROVANA should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.1 It is not known whether BROVANA passes into a mother’s breast milk and can harm the baby.2 Caution should be exercised if BROVANA is administered to nursing mothers because many drugs do pass into breast milk.1
How should I use BROVANA?
Use BROVANA exactly as prescribed. One ready-to-use vial of BROVANA is one dose. The usual dose of BROVANA is 1 ready-to-use vial, twice a day (morning and evening) breathed in through your nebulizer machine. The 2 doses should be about 12 hours apart. Do not use more than 2 vials of BROVANA a day. If you miss a dose of BROVANA, just skip that dose. Take your next dose at your usual time. Do not take 2 doses at one time.2 Click here to learn about Using BROVANA with Your Nebulizer.
Do not mix other medicines with BROVANA in your nebulizer machine. While you are using BROVANA twice a day, do not use other medicines that contain a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) for any reason, and do not use your short-acting beta2-agonist medicine on a regular basis (4 times a day).2
Make sure you always have a short-acting beta2-agonist medicine with you. Use your short-acting beta2-agonist medicine if you have breathing problems between doses of BROVANA. Do not change or stop any of your medicines to control or treat your COPD breathing problems. Your doctor will adjust your medicines as needed.2
How long does BROVANA last?
BROVANA is taken by nebulizer twice daily (morning and evening).2
Is BROVANA Covered by Insurance?
BROVANA is covered for patients with COPD, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema by most insurance plans, including commercial insurers (like HMOs or PPOs), Medicare, and Medicaid.
Coverage policies may vary by insurer, by state, or even between plans offered by the same insurer. You should always check with your insurance company, Medicare, or Medicaid about reimbursement for BROVANA.
Your doctor can help you determine if you meet coverage requirements.
References:
1. BROVANA Prescribing Information. Marlborough, MA: Sepracor Inc.; 2006.
2. BROVANA Medication Guide. Marlborough, MA: Sepracor Inc.; 2006.
