Salmex
Salmex helps open your airways and reduce lung swelling, making it easier to breathe and preventing symptoms of asthma and COPD.
Form
inhalaatiojauhe, annosteltu
Strength
50 mikrog / 250 mikrog / annos
Active Ingredient
Salmeterol xinafoate
Manufacturer
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Nordic AB
How to Use
Dosage
Typically, one inhalation twice a day. Your doctor may adjust this to one inhalation once a day (morning or evening) if your symptoms are well controlled.
Method
Inhale the powder into your lungs through your mouth using the inhaler, as shown by your doctor or nurse. Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth after each use to prevent side effects.
Important
Do not exceed the dose prescribed by your doctor.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache, which usually gets better with continued treatment.
- •More common colds (reported in COPD patients).
- •Oral thrush (sore, yellowish, raised patches) in the mouth and throat.
- •Irritation of the tongue and throat, and hoarseness.
- •Aching, swollen joints and muscle pain.
- •Muscle cramps.
- •Bruises and bone fractures (reported in COPD patients).
- •Sinus infection (feeling of pressure or fullness in the nose, cheeks, or behind the eyes, sometimes with throbbing pain).
- •Decreased potassium in the blood (which can cause irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, or cramps).
- •Fever or chills (possible symptom of lung infection in COPD patients).
- •Increased mucus production, change in mucus color (possible symptom of lung infection in COPD patients).
- •Increased cough or worsening breathing difficulties (possible symptom of lung infection in COPD patients).
RARE
- •Increased blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). If you have diabetes, you might need to check your blood sugar more often.
- •Cataracts (clouding of the eye lens).
- •Very fast heartbeat (tachycardia).
- •Trembling (tremor) and fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations), usually harmless and disappear with continued treatment.
- •Chest pain.
- •Restlessness (mainly in children).
- •Sleep problems.
- •Allergic skin rash.
- •Worsening breathing difficulties or wheezing right after inhaling Salmex. If this happens, stop using Salmex and use your rescue inhaler, then contact your doctor immediately.
- •Slowed growth in children and adolescents.
- •Fragile bones.
- •Glaucoma (green star).
- •Weight gain.
- •Rounder, moon-shaped face (Cushing's syndrome).
- •Behavioral changes, such as unusual activity and irritability (mainly in children).
- •Irregular heartbeats or extra beats (arrhythmia).
- •Esophageal yeast infection, which may cause difficulty swallowing.
- •Depression or aggression (more likely in children).
- •Blurred vision.
Important Warnings
- Do not use Salmex for sudden breathing problems; always carry your fast-acting rescue inhaler.
- Do not stop using Salmex or change your dose without talking to your doctor, as your symptoms may worsen.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, diabetes, low potassium, tuberculosis, or other lung infections.
- Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other vision changes.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category A
Suitable for older adults. Potentiates sympathomimetic effects. May cause hypokalaemia. (updated 15.5.2023)