SIDE EFFECTS

LABA, including salmeterol, the active ingredient in SEREVENT DISKUS (salmeterol xinafoate) , increase the risk of asthma-related death. Data from a large 28-week placebo-controlled US study that compared the safety of salmeterol (SEREVENT Inhalation Aerosol) or placebo added to usual asthma therapy showed an increase in asthma-related deaths in patients receiving salmeterol. Available data from controlled clinical trials suggest that LABA increase the risk of asthma-related hospitalization in pediatric and adolescent patients [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Clinical Studies].

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Clinical Trials Experience in Asthma

Adult and Adolescent Patients Aged 12 Years and Older: Two multicenter, 12-week, controlled studies evaluated twice-daily doses of SEREVENT DISKUS (salmeterol xinafoate) in patients aged 12 years and older with asthma. Table 1 reports the incidence of adverse reactions in these 2 studies.

Table 1. Adverse Reaction Incidence in Two 12-Week Clinical Trials in Adult and Adolescent Patients With Asthma

Table 1 includes all events (whether considered drug-related or nondrug-related by the investigator) that occurred at a rate of 3% or greater in the group receiving SEREVENT DISKUS (salmeterol xinafoate) and were more common than in the placebo group.

Pharyngitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and cough occurred at > 3% but were more common in the placebo group. However, throat irritation has been described at rates exceeding that of placebo in other controlled clinical trials.

Additional Adverse Reactions: Other adverse reactions not previously listed, whether considered drug-related or not by the investigators, that were reported more frequently by patients with asthma treated with SEREVENT DISKUS (salmeterol xinafoate) compared with patients treated with placebo include the following: contact dermatitis, eczema, localized aches and pains, nausea, oral mucosal abnormality, pain in joint, paresthesia, pyrexia of unknown origin, sinus headache, and sleep disturbance.

Pediatric Patients Aged 4 to 11 Years: Two multicenter, 12-week, controlled studies have evaluated twice-daily doses of SEREVENT DISKUS (salmeterol xinafoate) in patients aged 4 to 11 years with asthma. Table 2 includes all events (whether considered drug-related or nondrug-related by the investigator) that occurred at a rate of 3% or greater in the group receiving SEREVENT DISKUS (salmeterol xinafoate) and were more common than in the placebo group.

Table 2. Adverse Reaction Incidence in Two 12-Week Pediatric Clinical Trials in Patients With Asthma

The following events were reported at an incidence of > 1% in the salmeterol group and with a higher incidence than in the albuterol and placebo groups: gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, lower respiratory signs and symptoms, photodermatitis, and arthralgia and articular rheumatism.

In clinical trials evaluating concurrent therapy of salmeterol with inhaled corticosteroids, adverse events were consistent with those previously reported for salmeterol, or with events that would be expected with the use of inhaled corticosteroids.

Laboratory Test Abnormalities: Elevation of hepatic enzymes was reported in > 1% of patients in clinical trials. The elevations were transient and did not lead to discontinuation from the studies. In addition, there were no clinically relevant changes noted in glucose or potassium.

Clinical Trials Experience in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Two multicenter, 24-week, controlled studies have evaluated twice-daily doses of SEREVENT DISKUS (salmeterol xinafoate) in patients with COPD. For presentation (Table 3), the placebo data from a third trial, identical in design, patient entrance criteria, and overall conduct but comparing fluticasone propionate with placebo, were integrated with the placebo data from these 2 studies (total N = 341 for salmeterol and 576 for placebo).

Table 3. Adverse Reactions With ≥ 3% Incidence in US Controlled Clinical Trials With SEREVENT DISKUS (salmeterol xinafoate) in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease^a

Additional Adverse Reactions: Other events occurring in the group receiving SEREVENT DISKUS (salmeterol xinafoate) that occurred at a frequency of ≥ 1% and were more common than in the placebo group were as follows: anxiety; arthralgia and articular rheumatism; bone and skeletal pain; candidiasis mouth/throat; dental discomfort and pain; dyspeptic symptoms; edema and swelling; gastrointestinal infections; hyperglycemia; hyposalivation; keratitis and conjunctivitis; lower respiratory signs and symptoms; migraines; muscle pain; muscle stiffness, tightness, and rigidity; musculoskeletal inflammation; pain; and skin rashes.

Adverse reactions to salmeterol are similar in nature to those seen with other selective betai-adrenoceptor agonists, e.g., tachycardia; palpitations; immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm; headache; tremor; nervousness; and paradoxical bronchospasm.

Laboratory Abnormalities: There were no clinically relevant changes in these trials. Specifically, no changes in potassium were noted.

Postmarketing Experience

In addition to adverse reactions reported from clinical trials, the following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of salmeterol. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. These events have been chosen for inclusion due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting, or causal connection to salmeterol or a combination of these factors.

In extensive US and worldwide postmarketing experience with salmeterol, serious exacerbations of asthma, including some that have been fatal, have been reported. In most cases, these have occurred in patients with severe asthma and/or in some patients in whom asthma has been acutely deteriorating [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS], but they have also occurred in a few patients with less severe asthma. It was not possible from these reports to determine whether salmeterol contributed to these events.

Cardiovascular: Arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, extrasystoles), and anaphylaxis.

Non-Site Specific: Very rare anaphylactic reaction in patients with severe milk protein allergy.

Respiratory: Reports of upper airway symptoms of laryngeal spasm, irritation, or swelling such as stridor or choking; oropharyngeal irritation.

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Serevent Diskus (Salmeterol Xinafoate) »