Long-acting β2-agonist (LABA)

Salmeterol

Brand names: Serevent

Salmeterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) for maintenance bronchodilation in asthma and COPD; in asthma it must always be used with an inhaled corticosteroid, never alone.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

US labelling (FDA)

Reference — US labelling, may differ from UK

For oral inhalation only. ( 2.1 ) Starting dosage is based on prior asthma therapy and disease severity. ( 2.2 ) 1 inhalation of Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol 55 mcg/14 mcg, 113 mcg/14 mcg, or 232 mcg/14 mcg twice daily. ( 2.2 ) Do not use with a spacer or volume holding chamber. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Administration Instructions Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI is for oral inhalation and does not require priming. Do not use Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI with a spacer or volume holding chamber. Do not use more than two times every 24 hours. More frequent administration or a greater number of daily inhalations (more than one inhalation twice daily) is not recommended as some patients …

Source: US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed), label dated 2025-08-21. Accessed 2026-06-12. US dosing and indications can differ from UK practice — use UK sources for prescribing decisions.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is a long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonist relaxing airway smooth muscle for around 12 hours, with a slower onset than salbutamol.

Prescribing in practice

In asthma, LABA monotherapy is unsafe — always give it with an inhaled corticosteroid (usually a combination inhaler).
It is a maintenance treatment, not a reliever for acute symptoms.
Tremor, palpitations and (at high doses) hypokalaemia can occur.

Monitoring

Review asthma/COPD control, inhaler technique and reliever use.

Counselling the patient

It is a regular preventer, not for sudden breathlessness — keep your reliever for that.
In asthma, never use it without your steroid inhaler.
It works more slowly than your blue reliever.

Evidence & guidelines

LABAs are add-on maintenance therapy in asthma (always with an ICS) and in COPD per NICE NG80/NG115.

Reference: NICE NG80/NG115; BTS/SIGN; MHRA; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways