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Salmeterol

Pronounced

"sal-MET-er-all"

Common brand names:

Serevent Diskus

Uses

Salmeterol is used as a long-term (maintenance) treatment to prevent or decrease wheezing and trouble breathing caused by asthma or ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). It should only be used long-term if your asthma symptoms are not controlled by your other asthma medications (such as inhaled corticosteroids). Salmeterol must not be used alone to treat asthma. (See also Warning section.) It is also used to prevent asthma brought on by exercise (bronchospasm). Salmeterol works by relaxing the muscles around the airways so that they open up and you can breathe more easily. Controlling symptoms of breathing problems can decrease time lost from work or school.

This medication does not work right away and should not be used for sudden attacks of breathing trouble. Your doctor must prescribe a quick-relief medicine/inhaler (such as albuterol) for sudden shortness of breath/asthma attacks while you are on this medication. You should always have a quick-relief inhaler with you. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This medication should be used in combination with other medications such as long-acting inhaled corticosteroids. However, it should not be used with other long-acting inhaled beta agonists (such as formoterol, combination salmeterol/fluticasone) since this may increase your risk for side effects.

It is recommended that children and teenagers, who need to use salmeterol to treat their asthma, should use a combination salmeterol/fluticasone product. Check with your child's doctor to see if this product is the right product for your child.

In patients with asthma, this medication should not be used when breathing problems can be controlled with inhaled corticosteroids (such as flunisolide, fluticasone) and occasional use of quick-relief inhalers. (See also Warning section.)

If you are regularly taking corticosteroids by mouth (such as prednisone), you should not stop using them or use this inhaled medication instead. Continue to follow your doctor's instructions for taking the corticosteroids by mouth.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using salmeterol and each time you get a refill. Follow the illustrated directions for the proper use of this medication. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Always activate and use this device in a level, horizontal position.

Inhale this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily (in the morning and evening, 12 hours apart). You may or may not taste/feel the drug when you inhale. Either is normal. Never exhale into the device. Do not use with a spacer. Never wash the mouthpiece or any part of the device.

If you are using other inhalers at the same time, wait at least 1 minute between the use of each medication.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Use this medication regularly to receive the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Do not use it more often than prescribed or use more than 1 inhalation twice daily since this may increase the risk of side effects.

Do not stop taking this medication or change your dose without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

If you have been using a quick-relief inhaler on a regular daily schedule (such as 4 times daily), you must stop this schedule and only use it as needed for sudden shortness of breath/asthma attacks. Consult your doctor for details.

If you are only using this medication occasionally to prevent asthma brought on by exercise (bronchospasm), use it at least 30 minutes before exercise, and do not use another dose for at least 12 hours. If you have sudden asthma/shortness of breath, use a quick-relief inhaler (such as albuterol). Consult your doctor for details.

Learn which of your inhalers you should use every day (controller drugs) and which you should use if your breathing suddenly worsens (quick-relief drugs). Ask your doctor ahead of time what you should do if you have new or worsening cough or shortness of breath, wheezing, increased sputum, worsening peak flow meter readings, waking up at night with trouble breathing, if you use your quick-relief inhaler more often (more than 2 days a week), or if your quick-relief inhaler does not seem to be working well. Learn when you can treat sudden breathing problems by yourself and when you must get medical help right away.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2025.