Final answer:
Long-acting salmeterol is a medication used to treat persistent asthma and is taken regularly to help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. It should always be used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid to provide both long-term control and quick relief of asthma symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Long-acting salmeterol is a medication used to treat asthma. It belongs to a class of drugs known as long-acting beta agonists (LABAs). LABAs help to relax the muscles in the airways, making it easier to breathe.
Salmeterol is usually prescribed for individuals with persistent asthma, who require long-term control of their symptoms. It is not intended for immediate relief of asthma attacks. Instead, it is used as a preventative medication, taken regularly to help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
It is important to note that salmeterol should always be used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid. This is because LABAs alone can increase the risk of severe asthma symptoms and even asthma-related deaths. The combination of salmeterol and an inhaled corticosteroid helps to provide both long-term control and quick relief of asthma symptoms when needed.