What is salmeterol (inhalation)?
Salmeterol is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve
breathing.
Salmeterol inhalation is used to prevent asthma attacks. It will not treat an asthma attack that
has already begun. Salmeterol inhalation is also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Salmeterol inhalation may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking salmeterol (inhalation)?
Salmeterol is a drug that has been shown to increase the risk of asthma-related death. It is
critical that you use only the prescribed dose of this medicine and follow all patient instructions for safe
use of the medication. Talk with your doctor about your individual risks and benefits in using salmeterol
inhalation.
Before using salmeterol inhalation, tell your doctor if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use salmeterol
inhalation, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your
doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use salmeterol inhalation without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old.
How should I take salmeterol (inhalation)?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger
amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Do not
use salmeterol inhalation to treat an asthma attack that has already
begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use another, faster-acting inhalation
medication to treat an asthma attack.
Asthma is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use
all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule
without advice from your doctor.
If you are using salmeterol inhalation to prevent exercise-induced asthma, use the medicine 30
minutes before exercising, or as directed by your doctor. Allow at least 12 hours to pass before you
use the medicine again.
Serevent Diskus is a powder form of salmeterol inhalation that comes with a special inhaler
device preloaded with blister packs containing measured doses of the medicine. The device opens and
loads a blister each time you use the inhaler. This device is not to be used with a spacer.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
It is important to use salmeterol inhalation regularly to get the most benefit. Get your
prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Do not stop using salmeterol inhalation without first talking to your doctor. Your asthma
symptoms may get worse after you stop using the medication.
If you also use a steroid medication, do not stop using the steroid suddenly or you may have
unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about taking less and less of the steroid
before stopping completely.
Seek medical attention if you think any of your asthma medications are not working as well
as usual. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack. If you
use a peak flow meter at home, call your doctor if your numbers are lower than normal.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and sunlight.
Do not try to clean or take apart the Diskus device. Throw it away 6 weeks after you have
taken it out of the foil pouch, or if the dose indicator shows a zero, whichever comes first. Each Diskus
device contains 60 doses.
What happens if I miss a dose of salmeterol (inhalation)?
Use the medication as soon as you remember, then wait 12 hours before using the medication
again. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly
scheduled dose.
Do not
use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about salmeterol (inhalation)?
Your pharmacist has information about salmeterol (inhalation) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of salmeterol (inhalation)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, tremors, shaking, or
restless feeling;
-
skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle
weakness;
-
wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using
this medication; or
-
worsening asthma symptoms.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, or insomnia;
-
sweating;
-
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or
-
dry mouth or throat irritation.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about salmeterol (inhalation)?
Do not
use salmeterol inhalation to treat an asthma attack that has already
begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use another, faster-acting inhalation
medication to treat an asthma attack.
Salmeterol inhalation is has been shown to increase the risk of asthma-related death. It is
critical that you use only the prescribed dose of this medicine and follow all patient instructions for safe
use of the medication. Talk with your doctor about your individual risks and benefits in using
salmeterol inhalation.
Asthma is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use
all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule
without advice from your doctor.
Do not use a second form of salmeterol (such as Advair) or use a similar inhaled bronchodilator
such as formoterol or arformoterol (Foradil, Perforomist, Symbicort, or Brovana) unless your doctor
has told you to.
Seek medical attention if you think any of your asthma medications are not working as well
as usual. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.
It is important to use salmeterol inhalation regularly to get the most benefit. Get your
prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Do not stop using salmeterol inhalation without first talking to your doctor. Your asthma
symptoms may get worse after you stop using the medication.
What should I avoid while taking salmeterol (inhalation)?
Do not use a second form of salmeterol (such as Advair) or use a similar inhaled bronchodilator
such as formoterol or arformoterol (Foradil, Perforomist, Symbicort, or Brovana) unless your doctor
has told you to.
Do not exhale or blow into the Diskus device. Do not take the device apart or allow it to get
wet.
What other drugs will affect salmeterol (inhalation)?
Before using salmeterol inhalation, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) or
telithromycin (Ketek);
-
an antifungal medication such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) or
telithromycin (Ketek);
-
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol
(Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol),
carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), or pindolol (Visken);
-
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil),
nefazodone, nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), or imipramine (Tofranil);
-
HIV or AIDS medication such as atazanavir (Reyataz),
indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), or saquinavir (Invirase);
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam);
-
caffeine, a diet medicine, or a decongestant; or
-
aminophylline (Truphylline), theophylline (Slo-Bid, Theobid,
TheoDur), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
salmeterol inhalation. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not
start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of salmeterol (inhalation)?