Medical, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals And Diseases Information

SALMETEROL is a selective long acting beta -2 adrenoceptor agonist. Provides effective protection against histamine induced bronchodilation . Its effect lasts for as much as 12hrs. Salmeterol is marketed  by GlaxoSmithKline under the brand name SEREVENT . The other popular inhaler Advair is a salmeterol fluticasone formulation.

Salmeterol is used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd) and reversible airways obstructions in asthma. It is available as metered dosage inhaler. Dosage: For Adults: 2 inhalations (50 microgram) twice daily. And for Severe airway obstruction: 4 inhalations (100 micrograms) twice daily.

Contra-1ndlcations of Salmeterol include Hypersensitivity. Special precautions to be taken in patients  and their lung function should be monitored while taking Salmeterol  as it is not a replacement for oral or inhaled corticosteroids but use is complimentary to them. Salmeterol is not designed to relieve acute asthma symptoms. Serevent/ Salmeterol inhalers not recommended for children under 4 years and in Pregnant women & those lactating it should be used only when clearly indicated.
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Side effects of Salmeterol include Tremor, tachycardia, subjective palpitations and headache. Salmeterol has Drug Interactions with steroid and Diuretics causing Hypokalemia. Its Effects are antagonized by non-selective betablockers and less so by cardioselective betablockers.  It also has potentiation of vascular effects with MAOIs and tricyclic antidepressants. In November of 2005, the American FDA released a health advisory alerting the public to findings that show the use of Long-acting ß2-agonists like Salmeterol could lead to a worsening of symptoms, and in some cases death.