salmeterol
Brand names: Serevent
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 does
This medicine treats asthma in adults and children 12 years and older.
Common side effects
Nasopharyngitis (common cold), Oral candidiasis (thrush), Headache
Key warnings
LABA medicines like salmeterol can raise the risk of serious asthma problems.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Inhale this medicine through your mouth using the inhaler. Take 1 inhalation twice a day, about 12 hours apart, at the same times every day. After each inhalation, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out. Do not swallow the water.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Storage
Store at room temperature (between 59°F and 77°F) in a dry place, away from heat, cold, and humidity.
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
Avoid strong cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, ketoconazole): May increase risk of systemic corticosteroid and cardiovascular effects. The use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, ketoconazole, telithromycin) with Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI is not recommended because increased systemic corticosteroid and increased cardiovascular adverse effects may occur. Ketoconazole : Fluticasone Propionate: Coadministration of orally inhaled fluticasone propionate (1,000 mcg) and k...
Mechanism: Ketoconazole stops your body from breaking down salmeterol, which can cause the drug to build up in your blood. This increase can lead to heart issues and other side effects throughout your body.
What to do: You should avoid using these two medications at the same time.
The use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, ketoconazole, telithromycin) with Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI is not recommended because increased systemic corticosteroid and increased cardiovascular adverse effects may occur. The use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, ketoconazole, telithromycin) with Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI is not recommended because increased systemic co...
Mechanism: Clarithromycin stops your body from breaking down salmeterol properly. This leads to higher levels of the drug in your blood, which can cause heart-related side effects.
What to do: Avoid using these two medicines together if possible. Your doctor may need to change your antibiotic or watch your heart health very closely.
Concomitant drug dose reduction may be necessary Respiratory Drugs Salmeterol Not recommended during and 2 weeks after itraconazole treatment.
Mechanism: Itraconazole makes it harder for your body to get rid of salmeterol. This can cause the medicine to build up and potentially cause heart problems.
What to do: This combination is not recommended; however, if used, your doctor may need to lower your dose of salmeterol.
Long-acting beta-adrenoceptor agonist salmeterol ↑ salmeterol Avoid concomitant use with PAXLOVID. The combination may result in increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events associated with salmeterol, including QT prolongation, palpitations, and sinus tachycardia.
Mechanism: This combination makes salmeterol stay in your body longer, which can cause dangerous heart rhythms or a racing heart.
What to do: You should not take these two medicines at the same time.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI has been used concomitantly with other drugs, including short‑acting beta 2 ‑agonists, and intranasal corticosteroids, commonly used in patients with asthma without adverse drug reactions [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] . No formal drug interaction trials have been performed with Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI. ( 7.4 ) 7.1 Inhibitors of Cytochrome P450 3A4 Fluticasone propionate and salmeterol, the individual components of this product, are substrates of CYP3A4.
Mechanism: Both drugs are broken down by the same liver enzyme and are often used together safely in a single inhaler to treat breathing problems.
What to do: You can continue using these medications together as directed by your doctor for your asthma or lung condition.
Common Questions
Can I use a spacer with this inhaler?
What should I do if my asthma gets worse?
Can I use this for a sudden asthma attack?
How long does it take for this medicine to work?
What dose should I start with?
What if I am allergic to milk?
Can this medicine affect my bones?
Can this medicine cause infections?
How often should I clean my inhaler?
When should I throw the inhaler away?
What are the common side effects of salmeterol?
Does salmeterol interact with other medications?
What drug class is salmeterol?
Is salmeterol safe during pregnancy?
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
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Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for salmeterol
The FDA label for salmeterol (sold under brand names such as Serevent) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA) class. This medicine treats asthma in adults and children 12 years and older. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Nasopharyngitis (common cold), Oral candidiasis (thrush), Headache.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. The database also lists 7 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: August 21, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages