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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.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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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;

• wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medication;

• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; 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.

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How should I use 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.

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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.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
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.

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What other drugs will affect salmeterol inhalation?
Before using salmeterol inhalation, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: diuretics (water pills); 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); antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), or imipramine (Tofranil);

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Salmeterol has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have demonstrated a teratogenic effect when given orally at several times the dosage used clinically. Salmeterol is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

There are no data on the excretion of salmeterol in human milk. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to salmeterol xinafoate or any ingredients in the formulations.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include muscle cramps, dry mouth, sleep problems (insomnia), tremors, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeats, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using 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: a food or drug allergy; heart disease or high blood pressure; epilepsy or other seizure disorder; diabetes;

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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