Olodaterol

Pronunciation: oh-loh-DAT-er-ol.

Generic name
olodaterol (as olodaterol hydrochloride)
Drug class
Long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (LABA) bronchodilator
Form
Metered inhalation spray (Respimat soft-mist inhaler)
Route
Inhaled
Legal status
Prescription-only

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: unconfirmed (4) · Full directory

What olodaterol (as olodaterol hydrochloride) is and how it works

Olodaterol is an inhaled, long-acting bronchodilator used for the ongoing (maintenance) treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It works by relaxing the muscles around the airways, making breathing easier over the course of the day. It is taken once daily, either alone (as Striverdi Respimat) or combined with another long-acting bronchodilator, tiotropium, in a single inhaler (Spiolto/Stiolto Respimat). (1) (3)

Olodaterol is for COPD only -- it is not approved, and is specifically contraindicated, as the only treatment for asthma, because using this type of medicine (a long-acting beta agonist) alone without an inhaled corticosteroid has been linked to an increased risk of asthma-related death. Its exact availability varies by country and by whether it is prescribed alone or combined with tiotropium -- for example, in the UK the standalone (monotherapy) product is no longer marketed, but the combination product still is. Always confirm your specific product and its current approval status with your prescriber or pharmacist.

Mechanism of action: how olodaterol (as olodaterol hydrochloride) works

Olodaterol is a long-acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. Stimulating beta-2 receptors in airway smooth muscle activates adenylate cyclase and increases intracellular cyclic AMP, producing sustained relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and bronchodilation, providing 24-hour symptom control with once-daily dosing. (1) (3)

What olodaterol (as olodaterol hydrochloride) is used for

Long-term maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Used once daily as an ongoing bronchodilator to help relieve COPD symptoms (including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema), either alone or combined with tiotropium in a single inhaler. Not for relieving a sudden worsening of COPD symptoms, and not approved for asthma. (1) (3)

Before taking olodaterol (as olodaterol hydrochloride)

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not use olodaterol (alone, without an inhaled corticosteroid) as a treatment for asthma -- this is specifically contraindicated because of an increased risk of asthma-related death associated with this class of medicine used this way. (United States) (1)
  • Do not use olodaterol (or the combination inhaler) to treat a sudden worsening of breathing symptoms -- it is not a rescue/reliever inhaler and does not work quickly enough for an acute attack. (all countries) (1) (3)
  • Do not exceed the recommended dose (one inhalation session, two actuations, once daily) under any circumstances. (all countries) (1) (3)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any history of heart problems, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, or coronary artery disease.
  • Any history of seizures, thyroid problems (thyrotoxicosis), or diabetes.
  • If you also have asthma, since this medicine is not an asthma treatment on its own.
  • If you take the combination product (with tiotropium): any history of urinary retention, prostate problems, or glaucoma, because of the tiotropium component's anticholinergic effects.
  • Any known allergic reaction to olodaterol, tiotropium, or other ingredients in your inhaler.
  • All other medicines you take, especially other bronchodilators, beta-blockers, diuretics, or medicines affecting heart rhythm.
(1) (3)

How to take olodaterol (as olodaterol hydrochloride)

  • Use exactly as prescribed: two actuations (puffs) from the Respimat inhaler, once daily, at the same time each day.
  • Do not change your dose or stop taking this medicine without your prescriber's guidance -- COPD maintenance treatment is generally continued long-term under medical supervision.
  • If you have been prescribed a fast-acting reliever inhaler for sudden symptoms, keep using that as directed -- olodaterol (alone or combined) is not a substitute for it.
  • Follow the specific instructions provided with your Respimat inhaler device for correct use.
(1) (3)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Missed dose

If a dose is missed, contact your prescriber or pharmacist for guidance rather than following a generic rule, and never take more than one dose (two actuations) in any 24-hour period.

Overdose

Seek urgent medical attention if too much has been inhaled, or if you notice a very fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, severe tremor, or severe dizziness. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Nasopharyngitis (common cold-type symptoms) and upper respiratory tract infection.

What to notice: Nasopharyngitis (common cold-type symptoms) and upper respiratory tract infection.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Bronchitis, cough, and dizziness.

What to notice: Bronchitis, cough, and dizziness.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Urinary tract infection, rash, diarrhoea, back pain, and joint pain (arthralgia).

What to notice: Urinary tract infection, rash, diarrhoea, back pain, and joint pain (arthralgia).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Serious warnings

Sudden worsening of breathing after a dose (paradoxical bronchospasm) — emergency

Symptoms: Sudden wheezing, tightness in the chest, or worsening breathing difficulty immediately after using the inhaler.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately and use a fast-acting reliever inhaler if one has been prescribed. This medicine must be stopped and an alternative treatment found if this occurs. (1) (3)

Signs of a serious allergic reaction (hypersensitivity/angioedema) — emergency

Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or widespread rash/hives.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately and ask the prescriber about stopping it. (1)

Heart-related symptoms (cardiovascular effects) — high caution

Symptoms: A noticeably fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain.

Action: Contact your clinician promptly, or seek emergency help for severe or persistent symptoms -- this medicine can affect heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rhythm, especially in people with existing heart conditions. (1) (3)

Use as the only asthma treatment (relevant if you also have asthma) — high caution

Symptoms: Not applicable -- this is a warning about how the medicine is used, not a symptom to watch for.

Action: This medicine (used alone, without an inhaled corticosteroid) must not be used as the sole treatment for asthma, because of an increased risk of asthma-related death associated with this type of medicine used this way. Discuss your full asthma treatment plan with your clinician. (1)

Signs of low blood potassium or raised blood sugar — moderate caution

Symptoms: Muscle weakness or cramps (low potassium); increased thirst or urination (raised blood sugar).

Action: Contact your clinician if these develop, particularly if you also take other medicines that lower potassium (such as certain water tablets/diuretics) or have diabetes. (1)

Urinary retention or eye pain (relevant to the tiotropium-combination product only) — moderate caution

Symptoms: Difficulty passing urine, or eye pain/blurred vision/haloes around lights (possible signs of narrow-angle glaucoma).

Action: Contact your clinician promptly -- these effects relate to the tiotropium component of the combination inhaler, particularly in people with an enlarged prostate, bladder outflow problems, or a predisposition to narrow-angle glaucoma. (3)

Interactions

  • Other adrenergic (beta-agonist) medicines can add to olodaterol's effects and side effects. (1)
  • Xanthine derivatives, steroids, and non-potassium-sparing diuretics can add to the risk of low blood potassium. (1)
  • MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and medicines that prolong the QT interval may increase cardiovascular effects -- use with extreme caution. (1)
  • Beta-blockers can reduce how well this medicine works and, in people with COPD, may trigger severe bronchospasm. (1)
  • Strong CYP450/P-glycoprotein inhibitors (such as ketoconazole) can increase olodaterol levels in the body (about 1.7-fold in studies). (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

Human data are limited. Animal studies did not show harm to the fetus except at very high, non-clinically-relevant doses. Discuss use during pregnancy with your clinician, especially around the time of labour and delivery. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Breastfeeding

No human data on whether olodaterol passes into breast milk; it was found in rat milk with unclear clinical relevance. Discuss with your clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Children

Not established for use in children in the sources reviewed for this dossier -- this is a COPD medicine, a condition that does not typically occur in children. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Elderly

No specific dose adjustment required based on age alone. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Hepatic_impairment

No dose adjustment needed for mild-to-moderate liver impairment; no data available for severe liver impairment. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Renal_impairment

No dose adjustment needed based on kidney function in the sources reviewed; limited experience in severe renal impairment. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Source_ids

US-DAILYMED-STRIVERDI-2026,UK-EMC-SPIOLTO-2026 (1) (2) (3) (4)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Assessment of underlying heart condition, blood pressure, and heart rhythm
  • Confirmation that the diagnosis is COPD, not asthma monotherapy
  • Review of other medicines for interactions

During treatment

  • Ongoing assessment for cardiovascular symptoms (palpitations, chest pain) and for signs of paradoxical bronchospasm after dosing.
  • Periodic review of inhaler technique to ensure correct use of the Respimat device.
  • For the combination product: monitoring for urinary retention or eye symptoms related to the tiotropium component.
(1) (3)

Storage

Store the Respimat inhaler according to the product packaging instructions, away from excessive heat, and out of reach of children.

Study the drug class: Beta-2 agonist bronchodilators

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA and UK SmPC labels for both the monotherapy and tiotropium-combination products; verify against the current full label and local product/marketing status before prescribing.

United States

Indication: COPD maintenance bronchodilator treatment (monotherapy, Striverdi Respimat)

Dose summary: Two inhalations once daily at the same time each day (5 mcg total olodaterol per day); do not exceed 2 inhalations per 24 hours; no adjustment for geriatric patients, mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment, or renal impairment.

Renal context: No dose adjustment required based on the sources reviewed. (1)

United Kingdom

Indication: COPD maintenance bronchodilator treatment -- monotherapy (Striverdi Respimat, now discontinued) and combination with tiotropium (Spiolto Respimat, current)

Dose summary: Two actuations once daily (5 mcg olodaterol per day, plus 5 mcg tiotropium per day for the combination product); no adjustment for elderly, mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment, or renal impairment; no data for severe hepatic impairment.

Renal context: No dose adjustment required based on the sources reviewed. (2) (3)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

No dose adjustment needed for mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment; no data available for severe hepatic impairment.

Overdose note

No specific antidote; manage with supportive care and monitoring of cardiovascular status, potassium, and glucose. Cardioselective beta-blockade may be considered under specialist guidance but with caution given bronchospasm risk. (1) (3)

Frequently asked questions

Is olodaterol available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

The real picture is uneven. In the US, the monotherapy product (Striverdi Respimat) is currently FDA-approved and marketed. In the UK, the monotherapy product has been discontinued, but the combination product with tiotropium (Spiolto Respimat) remains currently marketed -- so olodaterol is still available there, just not alone. A live search of the Australian therapeutic goods register found no registered olodaterol-containing product under any name (monotherapy or combination). Status in the wider European Union (beyond the UK), Canada, and New Zealand could not be confirmed via the official sources checked in this research. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Can olodaterol be used to treat asthma?

No -- olodaterol (used alone, without an inhaled corticosteroid) is specifically not approved and is contraindicated for asthma, because this class of medicine (long-acting beta agonists) used this way has been linked to an increased risk of asthma-related death. It is approved only for COPD maintenance treatment. (1)

Does olodaterol have a boxed warning?

No, olodaterol does not carry an FDA boxed warning. Its main safety warnings -- the asthma contraindication, paradoxical bronchospasm, cardiovascular effects, low blood potassium, and hypersensitivity -- are presented as standard Warnings and Precautions rather than a boxed warning. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of olodaterol (as olodaterol hydrochloride)?

Olodaterol is a long-acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. Stimulating beta-2 receptors in airway smooth muscle activates adenylate cyclase and increases intracellular cyclic AMP, producing sustained relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and bronchodilation, providing 24-hour symptom control with once-daily dosing. (1) (3)

What is the generic name of Olodaterol?

The generic name is olodaterol (as olodaterol hydrochloride). (1) (2) (3)

What class of drug is olodaterol (as olodaterol hydrochloride)?

Olodaterol is classed as: Long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (LABA) bronchodilator. (1) (2) (3)

References

  1. STRIVERDI RESPIMAT (olodaterol) spray, metered -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · United States · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 1
  2. Striverdi Respimat 2.5 microgram, solution for inhalation -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- Boehringer Ingelheim Limited · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 2
  3. Spiolto Respimat 2.5 microgram/2.5 microgram, inhalation solution -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- Boehringer Ingelheim Limited · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 3
  4. Live TGA eBS PICMI searches for olodaterol / Striverdi / Stiolto / Spiolto -- zero documents available for every termTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia -- eBS/PICMI product information repository · Australia · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 4
  5. Olodaterol / Striverdi Respimat / Spiolto Respimat -- EU-wide EMA record not resolved via live searchEuropean Medicines Agency (EMA) -- search attempted, EU-wide (as distinct from the UK national finding) status not confirmed · European Union · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 5
  6. Health Canada DPD -- olodaterol/Striverdi/Inspiolto record not found/confirmed via live searchHealth Canada Drug Product Database (DPD) -- search attempted, not resolved · Canada · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 6
  7. Olodaterol / Striverdi Respimat -- New Zealand data sheet not found via live searchMedsafe (New Zealand regulator) -- search attempted, not resolved · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-30 · source 7

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient olodaterol (as olodaterol hydrochloride) names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Striverdi Respimat2.5 ug · boehringer ingelheim pharmaceuticals, inc.

United Kingdom

  • Striverdi Respimat (2)MHRA licence confirmed discontinued current marketing status · 2.5 mcg/actuation · Boehringer Ingelheim Limited
  • Spiolto Respimat (combination with tiotropium) (3)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed current · 2.5 mcg/2.5 mcg per actuation · Boehringer Ingelheim Limited

Canada

  • unconfirmed (6)no confirmable health canada dpd record found 2026 live search · unconfirmed · unconfirmed

Australia

  • unconfirmed (4)zero documents returned by live TGA eBS PICMI search for olodaterol striverdi stiolto spiolto 2026-07-30 · unconfirmed · unconfirmed

New Zealand

  • unconfirmed (7)no confirmable medsafe record found 2026 live search · unconfirmed · unconfirmed
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

unconfirmed (5)

This page provides general reference information about olodaterol and is not a substitute for advice from the prescriber managing your treatment. Its current legal and supply status differs genuinely by country and by whether it is prescribed alone or combined with tiotropium -- confirmed as currently marketed in the US (monotherapy) and the UK (combination product; the monotherapy product is discontinued there), confirmed absent from the Australian therapeutic goods register, and unresolved for the wider European Union, Canada, and New Zealand as of this research. Do not assume this medicine is currently available in a particular form where you live -- confirm with a local prescriber, pharmacist, or regulator.

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