Salmeterol

Salmeterol is a prescription drug that is used for treating airway spasms in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By relaxing the muscles around the airways to allow more air into and out of the lungs, the medication can help prevent asthma attacks from occurring. Salmeterol comes in the form of an inhalation powder and is generally used twice a day. However, it can also be used 30 minutes before exercise to help prevent exercise-induced asthma attacks.

 

What Is Salmeterol?

Salmeterol xinafoate (Serevent®) is a prescription medication used to treat airway spasms (called bronchospasms) caused by asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Salmeterol is also approved to prevent exercise-induced asthma attacks.
 
(Click What Is Salmeterol Used For? for more information on specific salmeterol uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Salmeterol?

Salmeterol is made by GlaxoSmithKline.
 

How Does Salmeterol Work?

Normally, air moves easily into and out of the lungs through a network of airways. During an asthma attack, however, the muscles around these airways tighten. This narrows the airways and makes it harder to breathe. This is called bronchospasm.
 
Salmeterol is part of a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, or beta agonists for short. Beta agonists stimulate beta receptors in the body, including those on the muscles around airways. This stimulation causes the muscles to relax, which opens up the airways and allows more air to get into and through the lungs. Salmeterol is a long-acting beta agonist. Because it does not work as quickly as short-acting beta agonists, it should not be used for treating an asthma attack. Rather, it is used twice a day in order to prevent attacks.
 
Salmeterol also has some effects on decreasing the activity of mast cells in the lungs, which play an important role in inflammation and allergic reactions.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;