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 Serevent) or use a similar inhaled bronchodilator such as formoterol (Foradil) 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.

If you use this medication to treat COPD, do not use the medicine for longer than 6 months unless your doctor has told you to.

Do not stop using salmeterol inhalation without first talking to your doctor. Your asthma symptoms may get worse after you stop using the medication.

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.

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;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• liver disease.

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.

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.

If you use this medication to treat COPD, do not use the medicine for longer than 6 months unless your doctor has told you to.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Do not use a second form of salmeterol (such as Serevent) or use a similar inhaled bronchodilator such as formoterol (Foradil) 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.

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.

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);
• 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.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about salmeterol inhalation.