Salmeterol information from DrugsUpdate  

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

Salmeterol is a direct-acting sympathomimetic which relaxes bronchial smooth muscle by its selective action on β2 receptors with little effect on heart rate.

Onset
Oral inhalation: 10-20 minutes.

Duration
12 hours.

Absorption
Plasma concentrations are negligible after inhalation.

Distribution
About 96% bound to plasma proteins.

Metabolism
Hepatically hydroxylated.

Excretion
About 25% and 60% of the dose was eliminated in the urine and faeces respectively, over a period of 7 days.

Salmeterol Indications / Salmeterol Uses

Information Not Available

Salmeterol Adverse Reactions / Salmeterol Side Effects

Fine skeletal muscle tremor especially hands, tachycardia, palpitations, muscle cramps, headache, paradoxical bronchospasm, angioedema, urticaria, hypotension and collapse.

Precautions

Warnings
When added to usual asthma therapy, there may be an increase in asthma-related deaths. Only use salmeterol as additional therapy for patient not adequately controlled on other asthma-controller medications (eg, low- to medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids) or whose disease severity clearly warrants initiation of treatment with 2 maintenance therapies, including salmeterol.

Monitor
Monitor for signs of worsening asthma.

Overdosage

May result in exaggeration of adverse effects e.g. tachycardia and arrhythmia.

Special Precautions

Pregnancy. Arrhythmias, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, DM, myocardial insufficiency, susceptibility to QT-interval prolongation. May cause paradoxical bronchospasm. Not to be used for treatment of acute bronchospasm or patients with deteriorating asthma. Monitor serum potassium concentrations in severe asthma.

Other Drug Interactions

Diuretics, corticosteroids and xanthines may augment hypokalaemia. Risk of severe hypertension when used with MAOIs, TCAs and other sympathomimetics. Increased susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias caused by digoxin and other cardiac glycosides.

Other Interactions

Information Not Available

Dosage

Inhalation
Chronic asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Adult: As metered-dose aerosol: 2 inhalations of 25 mcg bid up to 100 mcg bid. As dry powder inhalation: 50 mcg bid or 100 mcg bid if necessary.
Child: As metered-dose aerosol: ≥4 yr: 50 mcg bid.

Food(before/after)

Information Not Available

Salmeterol and Pregnancy

Caution when used during pregnancy.

Category C: Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Salmeterol and Lactation

Information Not Available

Salmeterol and Children

Information Not Available

Salmeterol and Geriatic

Information Not Available

Salmeterol and Other Contraindications

Information Not Available

Storage

Inhalation
Store at 20-25°C.

Lab interference

Inhalation
Store at 20-25°C.