Stalpex

What is Stalpex?

Stalpex is a preventative inhaler for severe COPD and asthma. It contains two active ingredients: fluticasone and salmeterol. Fluticasone is a type of steroid called a corticosteroid. These target inflammation and swelling in your lungs to prevent symptoms of asthma at the source. Meanwhile, the long-acting bronchodilator salmeterol relaxes and opens your airways to relieve any symptoms you may get.

Stalpex is a dry powder inhaler, or DPI. This means the treatment it contains comes as a powder contained in blisters inside your inhaler (so it’s already pre-loaded). In order to take it, you just need to ready your inhaler and breathe in through the mouthpiece – there’s no need to time taking your dose with your breath.

How does Stalpex work?

Stalpex is a combined inhaler, meaning it contains two active ingredients that work together to manage your asthma. First, the long-acting bronchodilator salmeterol relaxes your airways, letting air pass more freely and giving you relief from symptoms. Meanwhile, the corticosteroid fluticasone suppresses inflammation that causes asthma in your lungs, lowering your risk of experiencing symptoms or an asthma attack.

What doses does Stalpex come in?

You can only get one dose of Stalpex inhaler: 50/500 micrograms. These inhalers deliver 47 micrograms of salmeterol and 460 micrograms of fluticasone as a dry powder inhalation. This is the same as taking a pre-dispensed dose of 50mcg salmeterol and 500mcg fluticasone from a metered dose inhaler.

Because Stalpex contains a large amount of corticosteroids, and just comes in one dose, it’s only recommended for people with severe asthma or COPD. It’s likely to be a stronger dose than you need if your condition is mild or moderate. You should only ever take the lowest dose of corticosteroids that still keeps your asthma under control, to minimise the risk of any side effects.

How to Use Stalpex

Make sure you use your inhaler as instructed to by your clinician. Stalpex inhalers contain blisters that hold your medication. These are prepared for inhalation when you activate your inhaler. You’ll see a dose counter on the top of your inhaler which tells you how many doses you have left. Follow these steps for the best Stalpex inhaler technique:

1. Hold your inhaler’s outer case in one hand, and place the thumb of your other hand on the thumb grip. Push your thumb away from you as far as it will go until you hear a click. This opens up the mouthpiece.
2. Slide the lever on your inhaler away from you as you did with the thumb grip. You should hear another click, which means your dose of medicine is loaded into the mouthpiece. Be careful – a blister is opened and a dose loaded every time the lever is pushed back. If you play with it, you can waste your medication.
3. Hold your Stalpex inhaler facing towards you, away from your mouth. Breathe out as far as you comfortably can (not into your inhaler), then place the mouthpiece to your lips.
4. Take a deep, steady breath in through the Stalpex inhaler. Make sure not to breathe in through your nose.
5. Remove your inhaler from your mouth, and keep your breath held for around ten seconds (or as long as is comfortable). Then, breathe out slowly.
6. Slide the thumb grip back to its original position to close your inhaler. You will hear a click, indicating the lever has reset. Your inhaler is now ready for next time you need it.
7. You can rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth after using Stalpex to help stop you becoming hoarse or getting thrush.

How long does it take for Stalpex to work?

The two active ingredients in Stalpex will help you manage your asthma symptoms day-to-day, and prevent them in the long-term. Within 10-20 minutes of taking your dose of Stalpex, the bronchodilator salmeterol starts relaxing the muscles in your airways, so you can breathe more easily. It’s a long-acting bronchodilator, so you should feel its benefits for up to 12 hours.

You’ll have to wait a little longer to feel the effects of fluticasone – but it’s worth it. Typically, after taking fluticasone for between three and seven days, you should notice that you’re short of breath and wheezing less often. In clinical trials though, significant improvements in peak expiratory flow, symptoms, and the need to use a rescue inhaler have been recorded within just one day of starting treatment. Get in touch with your clinician if your symptoms don’t improve at all after a week of use.

What should I do if I make a mistake taking Stalpex?

You should only use your Stalpex inhaler as your clinician has instructed you. Don’t take more Stalpex than you should if you miss a dose; just take your next dose when you usually would.

Accidentally taking more Stalpex than you should once or twice isn’t likely to cause any lasting effects. You might feel shaky, notice your heart rate increase, or suffer from dizziness, a headache, or muscle pain. However, if you consistently take more Stalpex than you’re instructed to, you could risk adrenal suppression and acute adrenal crisis. This is where your body’s adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones like cortisol, and can be very serious.