The Food & Drug Administration has issued a public health advisory to emphasize the fact that both tiotropium bromide inhalation powder (Spiriva, Pfizer/Boehringer Ingelheim) and formoterol fumarate inhalation powder (Foradil, Schering-Plough) should only be administered via their Handihaler and Aerolizer devices, respectively, and not swallowed. The FDA and the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) National Poison Data System have received reports of patients swallowing the capsules rather than inhaling their contents, which led to side effects in a few cases. Pharmacists are encouraged to discuss proper use of the inhalation devices with patients who are being treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

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