Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of salmeterol therapy.
BACKGROUND
Salmeterol xinafoate is a highly selective beta2-adrenoceptor for the maintenance treatment of asthma in adults and children.


OBJECTIVE
To review the pharmacokinetics, clinical pharmacology, and therapeutic properties of a recently introduced, long acting antiasthmatic drug.


METHODS
Recent English-language publications were selected using Medline as database.


RESULTS
Salmeterol's pharmacokinetics, clinical pharmacology, and therapeutic properties are reviewed and aspects related to salmeterol's unusual duration of action, its high potency, beta2-selectivity, possible antiinflammatory actions, its interaction with other drugs, low systemic adverse effects, dosage, and administration are also discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Salmeterol is a safe long-acting beta2-agonist very useful for maintenance treatment of asthma.
Buchwald
A
A
Department of Pharmaceutics, Health Science Center, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0497, USA.
Hochhaus
G
G
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000420:Albuterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000420:Albuterol