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 indica ted for the maintenance treatment of adults and children with asthma. When administered as a dry, powder or aerosol, salmeterol produces bro nchodilation for ar least 12 hours and protects against methacholine a nd exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Salmeterol is not recommended for the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma. Recent clinical s tudies have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of inhaled salm eterol in the management of asthma in children. Salmeterol improved sy mptom control and lung function more effectively than placebo or regul arly administered salbutamol. In children who were symptomatic despite regular in haled corticosteroid therapy, the addition of salmeterol t o 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 compare d with placebo. Notably the long duration of action of salmeterol make s it particularly suitable for the prevention of nocturnal nocturnal a sthma symptoms and exercise-induced asthma (EIA) in children, Current data suggest that salmeterol should not be used as a substitute for co rticosteroid therapy in children, but rather as an adjunct to therapy. Thus, salmeterol may be a suitable adjunct to therapy in children wit h asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroids. In addition, salmeterol al so has a potentially important role in the prevention of EIA and noctu rnal asthma symptoms.