Salmeterol Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 21, 2024.
Applies to salmeterol: inhalation powder.
Serious side effects of salmeterol
Along with its needed effects, salmeterol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking salmeterol:
More common
- cough producing mucus
- difficulty with breathing
- headache
- irritation of the throat
- runny nose
- sneezing
- stuffy nose
- tightness in the chest
Less common
- blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
- blurred vision
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- chills
- colds
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- fever
- flushed, dry skin
- fruit-like breath odor
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- hoarseness
- increased hunger
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- muscle aches and pains
- nausea
- nervousness
- noisy breathing
- pain
- pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- pounding in the ears
- shivering
- skin rash, encrusted, scaly and oozing
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sore mouth, tongue, or throat
- stomach pain
- sweating
- swelling
- trouble with sleeping
- unexplained weight loss
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
- white patches in the mouth or on the tongue
Incidence not known
- choking or feeling of choking
- difficulty swallowing
- extra heartbeat
- fainting
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- hives or welts
- mouth irritation
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- slow heartbeat
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking salmeterol:
Symptoms of overdose
- arm, back, or jaw pain
- confusion
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fainting
- fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- seizures
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- sleeplessness
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
Other side effects of salmeterol
Some side effects of salmeterol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- anxiety
- belching
- bone pain
- burning, dry, or itching eyes
- difficulty with moving
- discharge or excessive tearing
- eye redness, irritation, or pain
- headache, severe and throbbing
- heartburn
- indigestion
- mouth or tooth pain
- muscle cramps, spasm, stiffness, or tightness
- redness of the skin
- redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
- stomach discomfort or upset
For healthcare professionals
Applies to salmeterol: inhalation aerosol, inhalation aerosol with adapter, inhalation powder.
Musculoskeletal
- Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal pain (12%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, articular rheumatism, muscle cramps and spasm, bone and skeletal pain, muscle pain, muscle stiffness, muscle tightness, muscle rigidity, musculoskeletal inflammation
- Frequency not reported: Join pain[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 14%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, migraines, tremor
- Frequency not reported: Sinus headache, paresthesia[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Common (1% to 10%): Pallor, hypertension, palpitations
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tachycardia
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, extrasystoles)
- Frequency not reported: Peripheral vasodilation and a compensatory small increase in heart rate[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Common (1% to 10%): Skin rashes, urticaria, photodermatitis
- Frequency not reported: Contact dermatitis, eczema[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Common (1% to 10%): Gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, nausea, vomiting, candidiasis mouth/throat, dental discomfort and pain, dyspeptic symptoms, gastrointestinal infections, hyposalivation
- Frequency not reported: Oral mucosal abnormality[Ref]
Hepatic
- Common (1% to 10%): Transient elevation of hepatic enzymes[Ref]
Metabolic
- Common (1% to 10%): Hyperglycemia
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypokalemia[Ref]
Ocular
- Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis, keratitis[Ref]
Other
- Common (1% to 10%): Influenza, ear signs and symptoms, edema and swelling
- Frequency not reported: Localized aches and pains, pyrexia of unknown origin[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nervousness
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Insomnia
- Frequency not reported: Sleep disturbances[Ref]
Respiratory
- Common (1% to 10%): Nasal/sinus congestion, rhinitis, asthma, tracheitis/bronchitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, throat irritation, lower respiratory signs and symptoms
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Paradoxical bronchospasm, non specific chest pain, oropharyngeal irritation
- Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm
- Postmarketing reports: Upper airway symptoms of laryngeal spasm, irritation, or swelling such as stridor or choking[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactic reactions including edema and angioedema, bronchospasm and anaphylactic shock
- Frequency not reported: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions
- Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis[Ref]
References
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2. Kemp JP, Bierman CW, Cocchetto DM (1993) "Dose-response study of inhaled salmeterol in asthmatic patients with 24-hour spirometry and Holter monitoring." Ann Allergy, 70, p. 316-22
3. Pearlman DS, Chervinsky P, LaForce C, Seltzer JM, Southern DL, Kemp JP, Dockhorn RJ, Grossman J, Liddle RF, Yancey SW, et al. (1992) "A comparison of salmeterol with albuterol in the treatment of mild-to- moderate asthma." N Engl J Med, 327, p. 1420-5
4. Meyer JM, Wenzel CL, Kradjan WA (1993) "Salmeterol: a novel, long-acting beta 2-agonist." Ann Pharmacother, 27, p. 1478-87
5. Maconochie JG, Minton NA, Chilton JE, Keene ON (1994) "Does tachyphylaxis occur to the non-pulmonary effects of salmeterol?" Br J Clin Pharmacol, 37, p. 199-204
6. Brogden RN, Faulds D (1991) "Salmeterol xinafoate. A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential in reversible obstructive airways disease." Drugs, 42, p. 895-912
7. Britton MG, Earnshaw JS, Palmer JB (1992) "A twelve month comparison of salmeterol with salbutamol in asthmatic patients. European Study Group [published erratum appears in Eur Respir J 1993;6(1):150]." Eur Respir J, 5, p. 1062-7
8. Ullman A, Svedmyr N (1988) "Salmeterol comparison with salbutamol in adult asthmatic patients." Thorax, 43, p. 674-8
9. (1994) "Salmeterol." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 36, p. 37-9
10. "Product Information. Serevent (salmeterol)." Glaxo Wellcome
11. Mann RD, Kubota K, Pearce G, Wilton L (1996) "Salmeterol: a study by prescription-event monitoring in a UK cohort of 15,407 patients." J Clin Epidemiol, 49, p. 247-50
12. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
13. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
14. Maconochie JG, Forster JK (1992) "Dose-response study with high-dose inhaled salmeterol in healthy subjects." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 33, p. 342-5
15. Lopezguillen A, Marques L, Lopezllorente MT, Pastor E, Figueras A (1994) "Salmeterol-induced vertigo." Eur Respir J, 7, p. 2089-90
16. Tranfa CME, Pelaia G, Grembiale RD, Naty S, Durante S, Borrello G (1998) "Short-term cardiovascular effects of salmeterol." Chest, 113, p. 1272-6
17. Svedmyr N, Lofdahl CG (1996) "The use of beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonists in the treatment of bronchial asthma." Pharmacol Toxicol, 78, p. 3-11
18. Booth H, Bish R, Walters J, Whitehead F, Walters EH (1996) "Salmeterol tachyphylaxis in steroid treated asthmatic subjects." Thorax, 51, p. 1100-4
19. Wilkinson JR, Roberts JA, Bradding P, Holgate ST, Howarth PH (1992) "Paradoxical bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients after salmeterol by metered dose inhaler." BMJ, 305, p. 931-2
20. Clark CE, Ferguson AD, Siddorn JA (1993) "Respiratory arrests in young asthmatics on salmeterol." Respir Med, 87, p. 227-8
21. Dottorini ML, Tantucci C, Peccini F, Grassi V, Sorbini CA (1996) "Diurnal change of bronchial caliber and airway responsiveness in asthmatics during long-term treatment with long-acting beta 2-agonist salmeterol." Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther, 34, p. 438-43
22. Hatton MQ, Allen MB, Mellor EJ, Cooke NJ (1991) "Salmeterol rash ." Lancet, 337, p. 1169-70
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Further information
Salmeterol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.