Long-acting β2-agonist (LABA)
Salmeterol
Brand names: Serevent
Adult dose
Dose: 50 micrograms BD via inhaler (max 100 micrograms BD)
Route: Inhaled
Frequency: BD
Clinical pearls
- Asthma — must combine with ICS (MHRA: never as monotherapy); COPD
- Combination inhalers (salmeterol/fluticasone) preferred
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Untreated asthma without ICS (MHRA black box)
Side effects
- Tremor
- Tachycardia
- Headache
- Hypokalaemia
- Paradoxical bronchospasm
- Asthma-related deaths if used without ICS
Interactions
- β-blockers (avoid)
- Other sympathomimetics
- Diuretics (hypokalaemia)
- QT-prolonging drugs
Monitoring
- Symptoms
- Inhaler technique
- Adherence
Reference: BNF; NICE NG80/NG115; BTS/SIGN; MHRA; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/salmeterol/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
- Corrected QT Interval (Bazett) · ECG
- Bazett Corrected QT Interval (QTc) Calculator · Arrhythmia
- Long QT Syndrome (Schwartz Score) · Channelopathy / Sudden Cardiac Death
- GOLD COPD Classification · COPD
- GOLD COPD Assessment (Spirometry + Symptom-Exacerbation) · COPD
- Asthma Severity Classification (GINA) · Asthma
Pathways
- Acute Asthma in Adults · BTS/SIGN British Guideline on Asthma 2019; NICE NG80
- Pulmonary Embolism Assessment · NICE NG158; ESC 2019 PE Guidelines
- Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) · NICE NG115; GOLD 2024
- Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Adult) · BTS Pleural Disease 2023
- Atypical Pneumonia (Legionella / Mycoplasma / Chlamydophila) · BTS 2023; IDSA
- COPD Exacerbation Management · NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024