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Salmeterol is used to treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing caused by asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It also is used to prevent bronchospasm (breathing difficulties) during exercise. Salmeterol is in a class of medications called long-acting beta agonists. It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.
Salmeterol comes as a dry powder to inhale by mouth using a special inhaler. It is usually used twice a day, in the morning and evening, about 12 hours apart. To help you remember to use salmeterol, use it around the same times every day. To prevent breathing difficulties during exercise, it is usually used 30 minutes before exercise, not more often than once every 12 hours. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use salmeterol exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not use salmeterol during an attack of asthma or COPD. Your doctor will prescribe a short-acting inhaler to use during attacks. If you are using salmeterol twice a day, do not use another dose before exercising. Salmeterol controls symptoms of asthma and other lung diseases but does not cure them. Do not stop using salmeterol without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop using salmeterol, your symptoms may worsen. Also do not stop taking your other inhaled or oral medications for asthma without talking to your doctor. Before you use the salmeterol inhaler the first time, read the written instructions that come with it. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use it. Practice using the inhaler while he or she watches. To use the inhaler, follow these steps: Hold the inhalation device in one hand, and put the thumb of your other hand on the thumbgrip. Push your thumb away from you as far as it will go until the mouthpiece appears and snaps into position. Hold the inhalation device in a horizontal position with the mouthpiece toward you. Slide the lever away from you as far as it will go until it clicks. Every time the lever is pushed back, a dose is ready to inhale. You will see the number in the dose counter go down. Do not waste doses by closing the device, playing with the lever, or advancing the lever more than once. Hold the inhalation device level and away from your mouth, and breathe out as far as you comfortably can. Put the mouthpiece to your lips. Breathe in quickly and deeply though the inhalation device, not through your nose. Remove the inhalation device from your mouth, and hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as you comfortably can. Breathe out slowly. You will probably taste or feel the salmeterol powder released by the inhaler. Even if you do not, do not take another dose. If you are not sure you are getting your dose of salmeterol, call your doctor or pharmacist. Put your thumb on the thumbgrip and slide it back toward you as far as it will go. The device will click shut. Never exhale into the inhalation device, take the device apart, or wash the mouthpiece or any part of the device. Keep the device dry. Do not use the device with a spacer. |