Meterol general information

What is Meterol used for?

Meterol metered dose inhaler 25mcg is a long-acting bronchodilator that is used to treat and manage asthma to help relieve symptoms like wheezing, tightness of the chest and shortness of breath.  Meterol inhaler is also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive obstructive airways disease that usually gets worse with time, and chronic bronchitis.  Because Meterol inhaler works with a slow onset and long duration of action, it is particularly suitable for managing exercise induced asthma and nocturnal symptoms in asthma (such as night time cough).  Meterol inhaler can be used with or without inhaled corticosteroids, (a “preventer” asthma medication), but is not intended for use as a "rescue" or “reliever” medication, because of its slower onset of action (10 to 20 minutes).  Meterol inhaler does not act fast enough to help with an asthma attack and it should not be used to relieve acute asthmatic symptoms, for which a faster acting (within 5 minutes) inhaled bronchodilator (e.g. salbutamol) should be given.  

How does Meterol work?

Meterol inhaler 25mcg contains the long-acting bronchodilator salmeterol xinafoate that is used to treat and manage asthma and treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Salmeterol in Meterol inhaler 25mcg is a β₂ agonist that acts on the small airways of the lungs (bronchioles) and works as bronchodilator by relaxing the muscles in the walls of the bronchioles, to widen the airways.  This reduces bronchospasm (constriction of the airways) relieving symptoms of asthma such as tightness of the chest, wheezing and shortness of breath.  Salmeterol in Meterol inhaler 25mcg has the same mechanism of action as other "shorter-acting" reliever medications like salbutamol but does not begin working immediately and has a longer duration of action, and because it is long-acting salmeterol in Meterol inhaler provides relief for up to 12 hours.   

What does Meterol contain?

Meterol inhaler contains the active ingredient salmeterol xinafoate, which is a long-acting bronchodilator that is used to treat asthma and relieve bronchospasm.  It also contains the non-CFC propellant norflurane (also known as HFA 134a or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane), which delivers 25 mcg salmeterol as an aerosol into your lungs each time you actuate (press down) your inhaler.  Salmeterol xinafoate is in microcrystalline form suspended in the propellant within the pressurised canister which has a metering valve and dose counter.  Each inhaler contains at least 120 actuations. 

Treating asthma with Meterol

Meterol inhaler (CFC Free) contains the long-acting bronchodilator salmeterol xinafoate that is used to treat and manage asthma.  Salmeterol in Meterol inhaler is a β₂ agonist that acts on the small airways of the lungs (bronchioles) and works as bronchodilator by relaxing the muscles to widen the airways, which reduces bronchospasm (constriction of the airways) relieving symptoms of asthma such as tightness of the chest, wheezing and shortness of breath, and because it is long-acting Meterol inhaler provides relief for up to 12 hours.  Salmeterol in Meterol inhaler has the same mechanism of action as other shorter-acting “reliever” medications like salbutamol, but does not begin working immediately and has a longer duration of action.  Meterol inhaler is usually combined with taking an inhaled corticosteroid or “preventer”, which is an anti-inflammatory asthma medication for long-term asthma management.  

Meterol for bronchospasm

Meterol inhaler (CFC Free) contains the long-acting bronchodilator salmeterol xinafoate that is used to treat and manage asthma and treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Salmeterol in Meterol inhaler is a β₂ agonist that acts on the small airways of the lungs (bronchioles) and works as bronchodilator by relaxing the muscles to widen the airways.  This reduces bronchospasm (constriction of the airways) relieving symptoms such as tightness of the chest, wheezing and shortness of breath that occur in asthma and other obstructive lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis.  Salmeterol in Meterol inhaler has the same mechanism of action as other shorter-acting “reliever” medications like salbutamol, but does not begin working immediately and has a longer duration of action, being effective for up to 12 hours.  Meterol inhaler can be used on its own or with other medication, such as an inhaled corticosteroid or “preventer” which is an anti-inflammatory asthma medication for long-term asthma management.  Meterol inhaler should not be used as a “reliever” or “rescue” medication if you are having an asthma attack, as it does not work fast enough.

What are the side effects of Meterol?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Meterol include headache, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), tremor (shaky or tense feeling), palpitations, mouth or throat irritation and muscle cramps. 

When should Meterol not be used?

You should not use Meterol if you:

• are allergic to salbutamol or any ingredients in Meterol inhaler
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have kidney or liver disease
• are using beta-blocking agents like propranolol, monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, the antifungal ketoconazole, ritonavir or atazanavir for HIV, antibiotics like clarithromycin

What medications interact with Meterol?

Several medications interact with Meterol and should either not be taken while you are taking Meterol or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Meterol: monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blocking agents like propranolol
• Drugs that affect Meterol: the antifungal ketoconazole, ritonavir or atazanavir for HIV, antibiotics like clarithromycin

What is paradoxical bronchospasm?

All inhaled asthma medications can cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which is when the inhaled medication taken to relieve or prevent bronchospasm actually makes it worse, causing wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness of the chest.  If this happens you should inform your doctor and take their advice.

How should Meterol be taken?

The number of puffs you take of your Meterol inhaler each day should be as recommended by your doctor, usually 2 puffs (inhalations) twice a day, morning and evening.  This dose may be increased for severe asthma but you should not take more puffs than recommended by your doctor as this will increase risk of side effects.  You should feel full benefit after the first few doses and the effect last up to 12 hours.  You should continue to take your Meterol inhaler regularly for as long as is recommended by your doctor and you should not stop taking your Meterol inhaler, even if you feel better. 

How to use your Meterol inhaler

Follow the instruction provided with your Meterol inhaler

1. Remove the mouthpiece cover and shake the inhaler.
2. Breathe out as far as is comfortable and then place the mouthpiece in your mouth. 
3. Start to inhale and press down on the top of the inhaler to release a dose of salmeterol while still breathing in through your mouth until your lungs are full and then hold your breath for a few seconds.
4. Remove the inhaler and breathe normally. 
5. Replace the mouthpiece cover. 
6. Rinse your mouth after use.

Note:  You can use a spacer device to help you inhale correctly. 

Should you take Meterol with other asthma inhalers?

Meterol inhaler is usually combined with taking an inhaled corticosteroid or “preventer”, which is an anti-inflammatory asthma medication for long-term asthma management.  Meterol inhaler is not a replacement for other asthma medication such as inhaled or oral corticosteroids and you should continue taking your existing medication, as prescribed by your doctor, when you start taking Meterol inhaler. 

How long should you take Meterol?

You should continue to take your Meterol inhaler regularly for as long as is recommended by your doctor and you should not stop taking your Meterol inhaler, even if you feel better.

Missed dose of Meterol

If you miss a dose of Meterol inhaler take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Meterol be stored?

You should store your Meterol below 25°C in a cool dry place.