Salmeterol is a long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilator that is used for long-term treatment of asthma. It helps to widen the airways in the lungs. Salmeterol usage allows you to breathe more easily and prevents breathing problems in patients with night-time asthma, or breathing problems caused by exercise. Salmeterol may also be administered for long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
You should not use Salmeterol in case you have any condition mentioned below: you are allergic to any ingredient in Salmeterol; you are using another medicine that has a long-acting beta-agonist (eg, fluticasone/salmeterol, formoterol) in it; you are having an asthma attack (eg, sudden severe onset or worsening of asthma symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing).
In such cases it is obligatory to consult with your doctor or health care provider before taking this drug.
Before using Salmeterol
Before using Salmeterol you should tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions listed below: you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding a baby; you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances; you have had a severe allergic reaction to milk protein; you have a history of liver problems, diabetes, heart problems (eg, fast or irregular heartbeat, heart blood vessel problems), high blood pressure, low blood potassium levels, seizures, an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma), or an overactive thyroid; you have recently been to an emergency room for asthma, have a history of frequent hospitalizations for asthma, or have ever had a life-threatening asthma attack; you have had an unusual reaction to a sympathomimetic medicine (eg, albuterol, pseudoephedrine), such as fast or irregular heartbeat, overexcitement, or severe trouble sleeping; you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) or a tricyclic antidepressant (eg, amitriptyline) or you have taken any of these medicines within the last 14 days.
Be aware that Salmeterol may interact with some medicines. Consult with your health care provider in case you are taking any other drugs, especially any of the following: diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood potassium or irregular heartbeat may be increased; catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg, entacapone), long-acting beta-agonists (eg, fluticasone/salmeterol, formoterol), MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Salmeterol 's side effects; beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because they may decrease Salmeterol 's effectiveness or worsen your condition.
It may not be a complete list of all interactions with other drugs. To prevent any complications you should check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Salmeterol
Use Salmeterol as recommended by your health care provider. Before use of this medicine, read Medication Guide carefully.
It is important to activate and use this device in a level, horizontal position. You should not try to use a spacer device with Salmeterol.
The right use of Salmeterol
1. Prepare the device for use: the protective foil pouch should be opened and removed. Hold the device in one hand. Use the thumb of the opposite hand to push the thumbgrip as far away from you as it will go. The mouthpiece will appear and snap into position. 2. Make device ready for use: hold the device in a level, flat position with the mouthpiece towards you. Use your thumb to slide the lever away from you as far as it will go. You should hear a click. The device is now ready for use. Note: Try not to close or tilt the device, play with the lever, or move the lever more than once. You may accidentally release or waste a dose.
3. Inhale a dose: hold the inhaler level and away from your mouth. Breathe out fully. Put the mouthpiece to your lips. Breathe in quickly and deeply through your mouth and hold your breath. Remove the inhaler from your mouth. Continue to hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as possible. Then, breathe out slowly. Note: try not to exhale into the device for any reason.
4. Close the device: Slide the thumbgrip back towards you as far as it will go. The device will click shut, and the lever will return to its original position.
Some patients can taste of Salmeterol or feel it. You should not use more than recommended dose.
Use Salmeterol at least 30 minutes before you start to exercise to prevent breathing problems. The next dose for should be taken at least in 12 hours. In case you use Salmeterol twice a day regularly, do not take an extra dose before you exercise.
It is recommended to discard the inhaler 6 weeks after removing it from the protective foil pouch or after all the blisters have been used, whichever comes first.
The dose indicator on the device is used to show you how many doses are left. An index "0" tells you that all the blisters have been used.
Avoid washing the mouthpiece or any other part of the inhaler. It should be kept dry and stored in a dry place. You should not try to take the unit apart.
Do not give up using Salmeterol even in case you feel well. Try not to miss any doses.
In case you miss a dose of Salmeterol, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next intake, skip the missed dose and take it according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double doses to catch up.
Important safety information
Salmeterol usage may lead to dizziness. This effect may be worsened by taking alcohol or certain medicines. Prevent driving or performing any other possibly dangerous actions.
You should know that Salmeterol does not stop an asthma attack immediately in case it has already started. A short-acting bronchodilator must be carried at all times to treat any breathing problems (eg, severe or sudden onset of wheezing or shortness of breath). In case you have any questions how to stop asthma attacks or if you have been regularly using a short-acting bronchodilator inhaler, consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
The Salmeterol usage in high doses may increase the risk of serious heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat). You should not exceed the recommended dose or use more often than prescribed.
In case Salmeterol does not help and your symptoms do not get better within 1 week, or if they get worse, consult with your doctor immediately.
In case you notice that your short-acting bronchodilator inhaler does not work properly, or you need to use it often (eg, 4 or more times a day for more than 2 days in a row; more than 1 canister in 8 weeks), or if you have a decrease in your peak flow meter results, tell you doctor right away. In case your breathing problems are worsened quickly, or your short-acting bronchodilator does not help you, contact your doctor or seek medical care immediately.
Do not stop or reduce the dose of a corticosteroid while you are taking this medicine unless your doctor recommends you to.
You should check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any asthma medicine.
Severe breathing problems may rarely occur while taking Salmeterol right after you use a dose. In case it happens, seek emergency immediately.
Diabetes patients should be aware that Salmeterol may influence blood sugar. Monitor blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Lab tests, including lung function tests and blood pressure, may be performed while you are using Salmeterol. It is important to control your progress or to check for side effects. Follow all doctor and lab appointments strictly.
The ELDERLY are likely to be more sensitive to its effects, especially effects on the heart. Use Salmeterol with caution in this group.
Use Proventil Solution with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 4 years old as safety and effectiveness in this group have not been proved.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING
In case you become pregnant, consult with your doctor and discuss the benefits and risks of taking Salmeterol while pregnancy. It is not clear whether Salmeterol passes into breast milk. In case you are or will be breast-feeding a baby, check with your doctor and discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Salmeterol
You should consult with your doctor in case you have any of side effects especially bothersome listed below: headache; nasal or sinus congestion; nervousness; stuffy nose; throat irritation; tremor.
Seek emergency immediately in case you have any of these severe side effects: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; choking; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; new or worsening asthma symptoms (eg, increased chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath, or wheezing); overexcitement; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; severe or persistent muscle pain or cramps.
What is the expiration date of the pills?
This information is mentioned on each blister. The expiration date is 2 years from the date of manufacture.
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