Salmeterol - A review of its pharmacological properties and clinical efficacy in the management of children with asthma

Salmeterol xinafoate is a selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist indicated for the maintenance treatment of adults and children with asthma. When administered as a dry, powder or aerosol, salmeterol produces bronchodilation for ar least 12 hours and protects against methacholine and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Salmeterol is not recommended for the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of inhaled salmeterol in the management of asthma in children. Salmeterol improved symptom control and lung function more effectively than placebo or regularly administered salbutamol. In children who were symptomatic despite regular in haled corticosteroid therapy, the addition of salmeterol to treatment produced a significant improvement in morning and everting peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and a significant reduction in the incidence of asthma exacerbations compared with placebo. Notably the long duration of action of salmeterol makes it particularly suitable for the prevention of nocturnal nocturnal asthma symptoms and exercise-induced asthma (EIA) in children, Current data suggest that salmeterol should not be used as a substitute for corticosteroid therapy in children, but rather as an adjunct to therapy. Thus, salmeterol may be a suitable adjunct to therapy in children with asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroids. In addition, salmeterol also has a potentially important role in the prevention of EIA and nocturnal asthma symptoms.