These medicines come with patient directions. Read them carefully before using the medicine . If you do not understand the directions or if you are not sure how to use the medicine, ask your health care professional to show you what to do. Also, ask your health care professional to check regularly how you use the medicine to make sure you are using it properly.
Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor . Using the medicine more often may increase the chance of serious unwanted effects. Deaths have occurred when too much inhalation bronchodilator medicine was used.
Keep the spray away from your eyes because it may cause irritation.
Salmeterol and formoterol are used to prevent asthma attacks. They are not used to relieve an attack that has already started . For relief of an asthma attack that has already started, you should use another medicine (not formoterol) that starts working faster than salmeterol does. If you do not have another medicine to use for an attack or if you have any questions about this, check with your doctor . Because the effects of salmeterol and formoterol usually last about 12 hours, doses should never be taken more than two times a day or less than 12 hours apart.
Salmeterol and formoterol are not substitutes for your oral or inhaled corticosteroid medicine. If you begin taking salmeterol or formoterol, the dosage of your corticosteroid medicine should not be changed or stopped even if you begin to feel better. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
Some epinephrine preparations are available without a doctor's prescription. However, do not use this medicine unless you are seeing a doctor about asthma. Do not use this medicine if you have been hospitalized for asthma treatment or if you are taking a prescription medicine for asthma, unless you have been told to do so by a doctor.
When you use the inhaler for the first time, or if you have not used it in a while, the inhaler may not deliver the right amount of medicine with the first puff. Therefore, before using the inhaler, you may have to test or prime it.
- To test or prime most inhalers :
- Insert the medicine container (canister) firmly into the clean mouthpiece according to the manufacturer's directions. Check to make sure it is placed properly into the mouthpiece.
- Take the cap off the mouthpiece and shake the inhaler three or four times.
- Hold the inhaler well away from you at arm's length and press the top of the canister, spraying the medicine into the air two times. The inhaler will now be ready to provide the right amount of medicine when you use it.
- To use most inhalers :
- Using your thumb and one or two fingers, hold the inhaler upright, with the mouthpiece end down and pointing toward you.
- Take the cap off the mouthpiece. Check the mouthpiece to make sure it is clear. Then, gently shake the inhaler three or four times.
- Breathe out slowly to the end of a normal breath.
- Use the inhalation method recommended by your doctor:
- Open-mouth method—Place the mouthpiece about 1 to 2 inches (2 finger widths) in front of your widely opened mouth. Make sure the inhaler is aimed into your mouth so the spray does not hit the roof of your mouth or your tongue.
- Closed-mouth method—Place the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth and over your tongue with your lips closed tightly around it. Make sure your tongue or teeth are not blocking the opening.
- Start to breathe in slowly through your mouth. At the same time, press the top of the canister one time to get 1 puff of medicine. Continue to breathe in slowly for 3 to 5 seconds. Count the seconds while breathing in. It is important to press the canister and breathe in slowly at the same time so the medicine gets into your lungs. This step may be difficult at first. If you are using the closed-mouth method and you see a fine mist coming from your mouth or nose, the inhaler is not being used correctly.
- Hold your breath as long as you can up to 10 seconds. This gives the medicine time to settle into your airways and lungs.
- Take the mouthpiece away from your mouth and breathe out slowly.
- If your doctor has told you to inhale more than 1 puff of medicine at each dose, gently shake the inhaler again and take the next puff following exactly the same steps you used for the first puff. Press the canister one time for each puff of medicine.
- When you are done, wipe off the mouthpiece and replace the cap.
