Therapeutic Action
Long-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator
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Drug reference
Long-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator
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Long term treatment of moderate and severe persistent asthma (maintenance treatment), in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid (beclometasone)
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May cause: headache, tremor and tachycardia, hyperglycaemia; hypokalaemia (after high doses). Pregnancy: no contra-indication Breast-feeding: no contra-indication
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Solution or suspension for inhalation in pressurised metered dose inhaler, delivering 25 micrograms of salmeterol/puff
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Start at the step most appropriate to initial severity. Always try to administer the lowest effective dose. Child 6 to 11 years: 2 puffs (50 micrograms) 2 times daily (max. 4 puffs or 100 micrograms daily) Child 12 years and over and adult: 2 to 4 puffs (50 to 100 micrograms) 2 times daily (max. 8 puffs or 200 micrograms daily)
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Treatment should be given as long as required. Re-evaluate after 2 to 3 months if doses are adequate or need to be increased or decreased.
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Shake the inhaler. Remove the mouthpiece cover. Breathe in and breathe out as completely as possible. Place the lips tightly around the mouthpiece. Inhale deeply while activating the inhaler. Hold breath 10 seconds before exhaling. If hand-breath co-ordination is difficult, use a spacer to facilitate administration and improve the efficacy of treatment.
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Salmeterol must always be used with an inhaled corticosteroid. It should not be used for symptomatic relief of acute asthma. Relief of symptoms may require several days or weeks of continuous therapy. Clean the mouthpiece before and after each use. Do not pierce or incinerate used aerosol containers (risk of explosion).
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– Below 25 °C
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2 to 4 puffs (50 to 100 micrograms) 2 times daily (max. 8 puffs or
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