Salmeterol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 9, 2024.

Applies to salmeterol: inhalation powder.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for any unwanted effects.

Tell your doctor if you are also using other medicines for your COPD. Your doctor may want you to stop using the medicine and use it only during a severe COPD attack. Follow your doctor's instructions on how you should take your medicine.

This medicine should not be used if you are having a severe COPD attack, or if symptoms of COPD attack has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an acute COPD attack. If the other medicine does not work as well, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine should only be used as an additional treatment for patients who cannot be treated with other asthma medicines (such as inhaled corticosteroids) or for asthma patients that require two medicines, including salmeterol. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Although this medicine decreases the number of asthma episodes, it may increase the chance for a severe asthma attack when they do occur. Be sure to read about these risks in the Medication Guide and talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any questions or concerns you may have.

You should not use this medicine if your asthma attack has already started. Your doctor will prescribe another medicine (eg, a short-acting inhaler) for you to use in case of an acute asthma attack. Make sure you understand how to use the short-acting inhaler. Talk to your doctor if you need instructions.

Do not use any other asthma medicine or medicine for breathing problems without checking first with your doctor. This medicine should not be used with other inhalers that contain arformoterol (Brovana™), budesonide and formoterol combination (Symbicort®), fluticasone and salmeterol combination (Advair® Diskus®, Advair® HFA), formoterol (Foradil® Aerolizer®, Perforomist™), or indacaterol (Arcapta® Neohaler®).

Tell your doctor if you are using or have used medicine for depression (eg, MAO inhibitor, TCA) within the past 2 weeks.

Talk to your doctor or get medical care right away if:

• Your or your child's symptoms do not improve after using this medicine for 1 week or if they become worse.
• Your short-acting inhaler does not seem to be working as well as usual and you or your child need to use it more often (eg, you use 1 whole canister of the short-acting inhaler in 8 weeks time, or you need to use 4 or more inhalations of the short-acting inhaler in 24 hours or for 2 or more days in a row).
• You or your child have a big decrease in your peak flow when measured as directed by your doctor.

Do not change your dose or stop using your medicine without first asking your doctor.

Your doctor may want you to carry a medical identification (ID) card stating that you or your child are using this medicine. The card will say that you may need additional medicine during an emergency, a severe asthma attack or other illness, or unusual stress.

This medicine may cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which means your breathing or wheezing will get worse. Paradoxical bronchospasm may be life-threatening. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child are having a cough, difficulty with breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing after using this medicine.

If you or your child develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction (including anaphylaxis) to this medicine, check with your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have chest pain, a fast heartbeat, nervousness, shaking of the hands or feet, noisy breathing, a feeling of choking, or tightness or irritation of the throat while using this medicine.

Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of the following symptoms: convulsions (seizures), decreased urine, dry mouth, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle pain or cramps, nausea or vomiting, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, shortness of breath, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you or your child are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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:

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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to salmeterol: inhalation aerosol, inhalation aerosol with adapter, inhalation powder.

Musculoskeletal adverse events

• 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]

See also:

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.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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