Salmeterol Inhaler
(Salmeterol)Salmeterol Inhaler Overview
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. () 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. Salmeterol Inhaler 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 Salmeterol Inhaler. You should always have a quick-relief inhaler with you. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Salmeterol Inhaler 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 Salmeterol Inhaler is the right product for your child. In patients with asthma, Salmeterol Inhaler should not be used when breathing problems can be controlled with inhaled corticosteroids (such as flunisolide, fluticasone) and occasional use of quick-relief inhalers. () 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.
Salmeterol Inhaler Warnings
Rarely, when treating asthma, serious (sometimes fatal) asthma-related breathing problems have occurred with the use of long-acting inhaled beta agonists (such as salmeterol). In patients with asthma, Salmeterol Inhaler should only be prescribed when one long-term medication (such as inhaled corticosteroids) does not control breathing problems or when more than one long-term medication is clearly needed to control breathing problems. Salmeterol must not be used alone to treat asthma. Before using Salmeterol Inhaler, it is important to learn how to use it properly. Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with Salmeterol Inhaler with your doctor. Once asthma symptoms are controlled, if possible, your doctor may stop treatment with salmeterol and continue only your other asthma medications (such as inhaled corticosteroids). Follow your doctor's directions carefully.
How to Use Salmeterol Inhaler
Read the Medication Guide available from your pharmacist before you start using salmeterol and each time you get a refill. Refer to the illustrated directions provided by the manufacturer for directions on how to use this device. If any of the information is unclear, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Always activate and use this device in a level, horizontal position. Inhale Salmeterol Inhaler by mouth, usually twice daily in the morning and evening (12 hours apart), or use as directed by your doctor. 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 of Salmeterol Inhaler is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use Salmeterol Inhaler 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 Salmeterol Inhaler 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 Salmeterol Inhaler 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. If Salmeterol Inhaler stops working well, or you need to use your quick-relief inhaler more often than usual (4 or more puffs daily or use of more than 1 inhaler every 8 weeks), seek immediate medical attention. It may be a sign of worsening asthma, which is a serious condition. 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.
Salmeterol Inhaler Precautions
Before using Salmeterol Inhaler, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Salmeterol Inhaler may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Salmeterol Inhaler, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,heart problems (such as angina, irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, diabetes, liver problems, seizures, thyroid problems (such as overactive thyroid). Salmeterol may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away. The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using salmeterol,certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death). Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using salmeterol safely. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Salmeterol Inhaler, especially QT prolongation (see above). During pregnancy, Salmeterol Inhaler should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if Salmeterol Inhaler passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Salmeterol Inhaler Misdose
If you are on a prescribed schedule and miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Salmeterol Inhaler Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Many drugs besides salmeterol may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), among others. Before using salmeterol, report all medications you are currently using to your doctor or pharmacist. Other medications can affect the removal of salmeterol from your body, which may affect how salmeterol works. Examples include cobicistat, nefazodone, ritonavir, telithromycin, azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin), HIV protease inhibitors (such as saquinavir), among others.
Salmeterol Inhaler Side Effects
Hoarseness, throat irritation, headache, rapid heartbeat, nervousness, cough, dry mouth/throat, or upset stomach may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute. Remember that Salmeterol Inhaler has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Salmeterol Inhaler do not have serious side effects. Salmeterol Inhaler may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Rarely, Salmeterol Inhaler may cause sudden breathing problems/asthma right after you use it. If this occurs, use your quick-relief inhaler and get medical help right away. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects,chest pain, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, seizures. A very serious allergic reaction to Salmeterol Inhaler is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Salmeterol Inhaler Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Salmeterol Inhaler when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
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