Question

In commercials for inhalers containing salmeterol, there is often a warning that it can increase the risk of asthma-related death. Why is this true and how does it happen? Why is this warning heard in commercials for all medications containing salmeterol? What patient education is necessary when prescribing salmeterol inhalers?

Answer 1

Salmeterol is a selective ADRENERGIC BETA-2 RECEPTOR agonist that functions as a bronchodilator when administered by inhalation. It is used to manage the symptoms of asthma and COPD. Increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) concentrations may underly the adverse effects of salmeterol monotherapy on airway responsiveness in asthma.BDNF may act as a mediator between airway inflammatory events and neuronal changes that occur during the induction of allergic asthma by enhancing airway smooth muscle contraction and mucus hypersecretion by facilitating the release of acetyl choline and plasma extravasation .(Siresha Bathina and Undurti N. Das 2015 )https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4697050/)BDNF is increased because of inhalation of salmetrol.

Patient education:

1.If a dose is missed ,skip it and continue regular dosing schedule .

2.Donot share your drugs with others,also donot use other person drug and keep out of reach of children.

3.Tell your doctor about other medications you are taking including vitamin supplements,beta blockers,monoamine oxidase inhibitors,tricyclic antidepressants ,etc.

4.If your symptom increases or deteriorating contact the doctor immediately.

5.Take medication at a fixed time daily as prescribed by physician.

(https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Salmeterol#section=Top)

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2730557/#idm140215549136048title)