Salmeterol: Side Effects, Overdose and Pregnancy Information

Salmeterol is a type of drug called a long-acting Beta-2 Agonist. Salmeterol works by acting on receptors in the lungs called beta 2 receptors. Salmeterol stimulates these receptors causing the muscles in the airways to relax. This allows the airways to open. In conditions where there is narrowing of the airways, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, eg emphysema and chronic bronchitis), it is difficult for air to get in and out of the lungs. By opening the airways, Salmeterol makes it easier to breathe. Though it is not fast-acting, Salmeterol keeps the airways open for much longer, the effects of Salmeterol last for about 12 hours. Therefore Salmeterol is primarily used to prevent asthma attacks, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath, rather than to relieve them.

In people whose asthma or COPD is not controlled with short-acting bronchodilators and regular inhaled anti-inflammatories, Salmeterol is used as an additional regular inhaler to help keep the airways open. It is particularly useful for preventing shortness of breath caused by work out, and for night-time shortness of breath.

Salmeterol should be used regularly, even when there are no asthmatic symptoms, to reduce the inflammation in the lungs and to help keep the airways open.

Salmeterol is taken using an inhaler device. Inhaling the medicine allows it to act directly in the lungs where it is needed most. It also reduces the potential for side effects in other parts of the body, as the amount absorbed into the blood through the lungs is lower than if it were taken by mouth.

Salmeterol Side effects

Common side effects of Salmeterol include hand shaking, heart palpitations, headache faster than normal heart beat, Arrhythmias, low blood potassium level, insomnia, nausea, muscle cramps, irritation of the back of the mouth and throat, dizziness, and nervousness. Rare side effects of Salmeterol include unanticipated narrowing of the airways (paradoxical bronchospasm), swelling of lips, face or tongue, and chest pain.

Salmeterol Warning

Salmeterol should not be used to relieve sudden asthma attacks, as it does not work fast enough. Use fast-acting inhalers instead and keep those inhalers with you at all times.

Do not exceed the dose of Salmeterol that your physician has prescribed.
When Salmeterol does not seem to prevent wheezing or chest tightness as it should or as long as it should, or if you find yourself using your fast-acting inhaler more often then consult your physician as soon as possible. It may be that your asthma or COPD is getting worse and your physician might need to give you another medicine.
Your symptoms are likely to improve once you have started using Salmeterol regularly, however you should not reduce your dose of anti-inflammatory drugs, as this may make your symptoms worsen again.
Salmeterol may cause an unexpected increase in wheezing immediately after using them. If this happens, stop using Salmeterol right away and consult your physician.
People with severe asthma should have regular blood tests to check the amount of potassium in their blood. This is because low oxygen levels in the blood and various asthma medicines, including Salmeterol, can lower blood potassium levels.
Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient.
Salmeterol is not recommended for children under four years of age.

Salmeterol Caution

Let your physician know if you have have any of the following:
Diabetes
Thyrotoxicosis
Heart disease
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias).

Salmeterol Interaction

It is important to inform your physician what other drugs and herbs you are taking before using Salmeterol.

Salmeterol should not be taken with beta-blockers, such as Atenolol, Propranolol or Timolol. As beta-blockers have an contrary action to this drug and cause the airways to narrow. This can result in breathing difficulties for people with asthma or COPD.

Salmeterol can potentially cause a serious decrease in the levels of potassium in the blood(hypokalaemia). This effect can be increased by the following medicines, which can also lower potassium in the blood:
Xanthine derivates,
Corticosteroids,
Other beta 2 agonists, and
Diuretics.

Salmeterol and Pregnancy

Salmeterol may slow or delay natural labor. Salmeterol can cause rapid heartbeat and high blood sugar in the mother and rapid heartbeat and low blood sugar in the fetus. Salmeterol has caused birth defects in animals.
It is important that asthma is well controlled in pregnant women. If possible, asthma drugs should be taken by inhaler, as this minimizes the amount of drug that enters the bloodstream and crosses the placenta. Salmeterol should be used with caution during pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Nursing mothers should switch to bottle-feed while taking Salmeterol.

Salmeterol Overdose

Salmeterol overdose usually results in exaggerated side effect symptoms, including chest pain and high blood pressure. In case of Salmeterol overdose seek medical attention right away.

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