Salmeterol

Salmeterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist which is used in the treatment of asthma as an adjunct to inhaled corticosteroids.

The long-lasting action of salmeterol means that it may be taken regularly, twice per day; it is not effective for the relief of an acute asthma attack.

Notes:

• clinicians should continue to be aware of the possible risks associated with the long-term use of long-acting beta2 agonists (LABAs, i.e. salmeterol and formoterol)
  • should be used only in conjunction with inhaled corticosteroids
• for the management of chronic asthma, LABAs should:
  • be added only if regular use of standard-dose inhaled corticosteroids has failed to control asthma adequately;
  • not be initiated in patients with rapidly deteriorating asthma;
  • be introduced at a low dose and the effect properly monitored before considering dose increase;
  • be discontinued in the absence of benefit;
  • be reviewed as clinically appropriate: stepping down therapy should be considered when good long-term asthma control has been achieved

Reference:

• (1) Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network/British Thoracic Society: British Guideline on the Management of Asthma. A national clinical guideline. May 2008.
• (2) MHRA. Asthma: long-acting ß2 agonists. Accessed from www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Generalsafetyinformationandadvice/Product-specificinformationandadvice/Asthma/CON2025447s on 05/09/08.