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olodaterol vs salmeterol

Side-by-side comparison of olodaterol and salmeterol Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
olodaterol Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA)
salmeterol Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA)
Type
olodaterol Prescription
salmeterol Prescription
Summary
olodaterol

Striverdi Respimat is a medicine that helps people with COPD breathe easier. It contains olodaterol, which is a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA).

salmeterol

Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI is a combination medicine used to control asthma. It contains a steroid to reduce swelling and a long-acting bronchodilator to open airways.

What It Treats
olodaterol

Striverdi Respimat is used long-term to treat COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It helps to open up the airways in your lungs, making it easier to breathe. This medicine is not for sudden COPD symptoms or for asthma.

salmeterol

This medicine treats asthma in adults and children 12 years and older. It is for people whose asthma is not well-controlled with other medicines. It can also be used when a long-acting bronchodilator and steroid are needed to control asthma.

How It Works
olodaterol

Olodaterol is a LABA. It works by relaxing the muscles around your airways. This helps to open them up so air can flow in and out of your lungs more easily.

salmeterol

Fluticasone propionate, a steroid, lowers inflammation in your lungs. Salmeterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA). It relaxes airway muscles to help you breathe easier.

Common Side Effects
olodaterol
  • Common cold symptoms
  • Cough
  • Back pain
salmeterol
  • Nasopharyngitis (common cold)
  • Oral candidiasis (thrush)
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Back pain
FAERS Reports
olodaterol

No adverse event reports.

salmeterol

No adverse event reports.

Serious Warnings
olodaterol

LABAs like olodaterol can raise the risk of asthma-related death if used alone to treat asthma. Striverdi Respimat is not for asthma. Using too much Striverdi Respimat can cause serious heart problems and may be fatal. If you have a bad reaction, like swelling or trouble breathing, stop using Striverdi Respimat and get medical help right away.

salmeterol

LABA medicines like salmeterol can raise the risk of serious asthma problems. Do not use this medicine to relieve sudden asthma symptoms. Always have a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. Do not use this medicine with other LABA medicines.

Pregnancy
olodaterol

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Striverdi Respimat should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the risk to the baby. It is not known if Striverdi Respimat passes into breast milk.

salmeterol

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine during pregnancy.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This olodaterol vs salmeterol Comparison

olodaterol is classified in the Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA) drug class, while salmeterol sits within the Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, olodaterol has 0 submissions while salmeterol has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between olodaterol and salmeterol — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.