Salmeterol inhalation powder

What is this medicine?

SALMETEROL (sal ME te role) is a slow-acting bronchodilator. It helps to open up the airways of your lungs. This medicine is used to treat COPD and to prevent exercise induced bronchospasm. It is also used to treat asthma in patients taking other asthma control medicines. This medicine should not be used alone for asthma. Do NOT use for an acute asthma attack. Do NOT use for a COPD attack.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is inhaled through the mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice. Make sure that you are using your inhaler correctly. Ask you doctor or health care provider if you have any questions.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 4 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions such as skin rash or itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue

• chest pain

• difficulty breathing or wheezing that increases or does not go away

• dizziness or fainting

• fever

• irregular heartbeat

• need for more doses of short acting bronchodilators

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• cough

• headache

• fast heart rate

• nervousness, trembling

• sore throat

• stuffy nose

• upset stomach

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

• other medicines that contain a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA)

• procarbazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• anti-infectives like chloroquine, and pentamidine

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• caffeine

• cisapride

• diuretics

• medicines for colds

• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

• medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole

• medicines for weight loss including some herbal products

• methadone

• some antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, linezolid, and telithromycin

• some heart medicines

• steroid hormones like dexamethasone, cortisone, hydrocortisone

• theophylline

• thyroid hormones

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Do not freeze. Protect from light and moisture. Throw away 6 weeks after you remove from the foil pouch, or after the dose indicator reads 0, whichever comes first. Throw away unopened packages after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:

• diabetes

• have asthma and are not taking any other asthma medicine

• heart disease or irregular heartbeat

• high blood pressure

• liver disease

• pheochromocytoma

• seizures

• thyroid disease

• worsening asthma

• an unusual or allergic reaction to salmeterol, other medicines, milk, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor for regular check ups. Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not get better. If your symptoms get worse or if you need your short-acting inhalers more often, call your doctor right away. Do not use this medicine more than every 12 hours.

If you have asthma, be aware that using this medicine may increase your risk of dying from asthma-related problems. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine. NEVER use this medicine for an acute asthma attack.

Your diskus device has a dose counter and will tell you when only a few doses are left.

If you are going to have surgery tell your doctor or health care professional that you are using this medicine.