AIRBIR

Arformoterol, the (R,R)-enantiomer of formoterol, is a selective long-acting beta₂-adrenergic receptor agonist (beta₂-agonist) that has two-fold greater potency than racemic formoterol (which contains both the (S,S) and (R,R)-enantiomers). The (S,S)-enantiomer is about 1,000-fold less potent as a beta₂-agonist than the (R,R)-enantiomer. The pharmacologic effects of beta₂-adrenoceptor agonist drugs, including arformoterol, are at least in part attributable to stimulation of intracellular adenyl cyclase.

Budesonide is a glucocorticosteroid with a high local anti-inflammatory effect. At doses clinically equivalent to systemically acting glucocorticosteroids, budesonide gives significantly less HPA axis suppression and has a lower impact on inflammatory markers.