The Symptom Controller Inhaler
- Meterol is a symptom controller inhaler containing Salmeterol (as xinafoate)
- It is available in one strength 25 mcg. Each inhaler has 120 doses.
Meterol Inhaler is used each morning and evening to open the airways in the lungs. Discuss your asthma symptoms with your doctor or pharmacist and ask whether Meterol Inhaler is the appropriate choice for you.
To download the Meterol Product Brochure and to find out how to use and clean your inhaler, click here.
METEROL INHALER
HAS A DOSE COUNTER
Meterol Inhaler has a dose counter so you don’t need to worry about running out of medication when you need it most.
Colour of dose counter changes from green to red at 40 doses, giving you time to source a replacement. Monitor your children’s inhalers by checking counter on school days and know you are covered if going away on holiday.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT METEROL INHALER
What is Meterol Inhaler?
Meterol Inhaler contains 25 mcg Salmeterol (as xinafoate). Meterol Inhaler is a symptom controller which opens the airways in your lungs.
What is Meterol Inhaler used for?
Meterol Inhaler is a symptom controller inhaler used each morning and evening and will help you breathe easier and help prevent asthma attacks. This also includes asthma that you get at night or brought on by exercise. If you are being treated for asthma, you should also use a “preventer” medicine regularly, such as Floair Inhaler, an inhaled corticosteroid with your Meterol Inhaler.
If you have COPD, taking Meterol Inhaler each morning and evening will help prevent breathing problems.
Meterol Inhaler helps prevent breathlessness and wheezing. It does not work once you are breathless or wheezy.
Make sure you always carry your “reliever” inhaler (e.g. Salbutamol) with you.
In the event of an asthma attack, use your Salair Inhaler or your blue “reliever” inhaler, not your Meterol Inhaler.
METEROL INHALER IS A PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE FOR ORAL INHALATION ONLY.
Does Meterol Inhaler work the same as the long-acting symptom controller inhaler that I normally use?
Meterol Inhaler contains Salmeterol (as xinafoate) as an active medicine. If your previous inhaler also uses the same active medicine i.e. Salmeterol (as xinafoate), then Meterol Inhaler can be prescribed to manage the same conditions.
Does Meterol Inhaler look the same as the long-acting symptom controller inhaler that I normally use?
Meterol Inhaler looks different to other long-acting symptom controller inhalers that you have used. It has a pink cap and a white body, with a built-in dose counter. The canister with the medicine in it has a pink and white label.
The first fully funded Salmeterol pMDI with a built-in dose counter in New Zealand.
Meterol Inhaler has a built-in dose counter to see how many actuations are left in the inhaler.
After the inhaler is primed for the first time, the dose counter should read 120. This means that there are 120 doses of the medicine left in the inhaler. Each time the inhaler is used, the dose counter will count down by one number.
When there are 40 doses of medicine remaining in the Meterol Inhaler, the colour of the dose counter will change from green to red. This gives you time to go to your doctor or pharmacist to pick up another inhaler. You don’t need to worry about running out of medication when you need it the most.
The dose counter will stop counting when it reaches 0. This means there is no medication left in the inhaler and it should be discarded.
Will Meterol Inhaler taste the same as the long-acting symptom controller inhaler that I normally use?
If you have previously used another inhaler, you might notice that the spray from Meterol Inhaler tastes or feels different in your mouth, or that the inhaler sounds different when sprayed. This does not affect the way your inhaler works.
Is Meterol Inhaler right for me?
Discuss your asthma or COPD symptoms with your doctor or pharmacist and ask whether Meterol Inhaler is the appropriate choice for you.
How do I clean my Meterol Inhaler?
The Meterol Inhaler plastic actuator should be cleaned at least once a week to ensure that it functions correctly.
NEVER wash or soak any part of the inhaler in water.
Use the following technique to clean your inhaler:
- Remove the plastic dust cap from the mouthpiece of the inhaler. The metal canister should NOT be removed from the plastic actuator.
- The plastic mouthpiece and the dust cap are to be wiped inside and outside with a clean dry cloth.
- Replace the plastic dust cap on to the mouthpiece of the inhaler.
How much does Meterol Inhaler cost?
Meterol Inhaler is fully funded. As per the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Schedule, from 1st January 2013, everyone who is eligible for publicly funded health and disability services should in most circumstances pay only $5.00 for subsidised medicines.1
Meterol Consumer Medicine Information
Meterol Patient
Brochure
Meterol Inhaler with Dose Counter, PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE. Meterol Inhaler contains 25 mcg Salmeterol (as xinafoate), a bronchodilator which opens the airways in your lungs in the treatment of asthma. Meterol Inhaler contains 120 actuations. Make sure you always carry your “reliever” inhaler (e.g. Salbutamol) with you. In the event of an asthma attack, use your Salair Inhaler or your blue “reliever” inhaler, NOT your Meterol Inhaler.
Meterol Inhaler has risks and benefits. Tell your doctor before using Meterol Inhaler if you: are allergic to salmeterol or the other ingredients in your inhaler; have had to discontinue Meterol in the past or other medications for asthma; are pregnant or intending to become pregnant; are breastfeeding; have a thyroid condition; have a heart condition; have diabetes; are taking any other medicines.
If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking Meterol Inhaler and seek immediate medical attention as you may be allergic to the medicine: itching, rash or reddened skin; swelling of the eyelids, lip, face, or throat; low blood pressure causing you to feel weak or dizzy; collapse; increase in wheezing and shortness of breath immediately after using your inhaler. If you experience the following side effects, advise your nurse, pharmacist or doctor but do not discontinue using your Meterol Inhaler: muscle cramps, feeling shaky, fast or irregular heartbeat, rash, dizziness, insomnia, sore mouth or throat, swollen joints, chest pain.
Always use Meterol Inhaler exactly as your doctor or asthma nurse has told you. Meterol Inhaler is for oral inhalation only. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your doctor or asthma nurse. Discuss your asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms with your doctor or pharmacist and ask whether Meterol Inhaler is the appropriate choice for you.
Meterol Inhaler is fully funded. Standard doctor’s fees and pharmacy charges apply.
Distributed by REX Medical Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand.
