Salmex
Salmex contains two medicines that help keep your airways open, reduce swelling and irritation in the lungs, and prevent breathing difficulties and wheezing caused by asthma and COPD.
Form
inhalaatiojauhe, annosteltu
Strength
50 mikrog / 100 mikrog / annos
Active Ingredient
Salmeterol xinafoate
Manufacturer
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Nordic AB
How to Use
Dosage
One inhalation twice daily.
Method
Take Salmex by mouth and breathe it deep into your lungs. Your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to use the inhaler correctly.
Important
Do not use more than your doctor has prescribed. It is important to follow the dosage instructions carefully.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache, which usually gets better with continued treatment
- •Increased colds and flu (in COPD patients)
- •Oral and throat thrush (sore, creamy-yellow patches), irritation of the tongue and throat, hoarseness
- •Aching and swollen joints, muscle pain
- •Muscle cramps
- •Bruises and bone fractures (in COPD patients)
- •Sinusitis (nasal congestion, feeling of pressure in the face)
- •Low blood potassium (may cause irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, or cramps)
RARE
- •High blood sugar (may require more frequent monitoring for diabetics)
- •Cataracts (clouding of the eye lens)
- •Very fast heart rate
- •Tremors and fast or irregular heartbeat (usually harmless and resolve with continued treatment)
- •Chest pain
- •Restlessness (mainly in children)
- •Sleep problems
- •Allergic rash
- •Breathing difficulties or wheezing worsen right after taking Salmex (stop use and contact doctor immediately)
- •Effects on the body's natural hormone production, especially with high doses over time: slowed growth in children and adolescents, brittle bones, glaucoma (high eye pressure), weight gain, rounded face ('moon face')
- •Behavioral changes, such as unusual activity and irritability (mainly in children)
- •Irregular heartbeat or extra beats
- •Fungal infection in the esophagus (may cause difficulty swallowing)
- •Depression or aggression (more likely in children)
- •Blurred vision
Important Warnings
- Do not use Salmex if you are allergic to salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, or lactose (milk sugar), which is in the medicine.
- If your asthma or breathing gets worse (e.g., more wheezing or chest tightness), contact your doctor immediately. You might need different treatment.
- Salmex is not for sudden breathing problems. Use a fast-acting rescue inhaler, such as salbutamol, if you have a sudden attack of breathlessness. Always keep your rescue inhaler with you.
- Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out and/or brush your teeth after each Salmex dose. This helps reduce the risk of oral thrush and hoarseness.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems (like an irregular heartbeat), an overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, diabetes, low potassium in your blood, or if you have had lung infection or tuberculosis.
Show 2 more warnings
- If your vision blurs or you have other vision problems, contact your doctor.
- Do not suddenly stop using Salmex or reduce your dose without talking to your doctor, as this can worsen your symptoms or cause other health problems.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category A
Suitable for older adults. Potentiates sympathomimetic effects. May cause hypokalaemia. (updated 15.5.2023)