Application
Viani® is a prescription-only combination preparation, which is available in different concentrations of active ingredients. It is used for chronic lung diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic bronchitis. To enable the active ingredients to act directly on the diseased organ structures, Viani® is available as an inhalation powder or as a metered dose inhaler, which can be administered with various inhalation systems.
Since salmeterol, an ?2 sympathomimetic contained in Viani®, is a so-called long-acting ?2 sympathomimetic, Viani® is not intended for acute relief of the symptoms of the disease, but is rather suitable for long-term treatment. For this reason, it is not advisable to use Viani® for acute respiratory problems, since in these cases drugs with a short-acting ?2-sympathomimetic (e.g. salbutamol) have a significantly stronger effect. How often Viani® should be used and the dosage of the medication must be discussed with the treating physician. In general, only as much of the active ingredient should be taken as is necessary to achieve freedom from symptoms, but the extent of expected side effects should be kept as low as possible. Unless otherwise specified, the frequency of use of Viani® is one inhalation at a time with twice daily use.
Contraindications
As a general rule, the doctor prescribing Viani® should be informed about all existing individual underlying diseases. This is particularly important as there are certain contraindications for which the use of Viani® cannot be recommended. The main reason for this is that although the active ingredient salmeterol should actually only act on the beta receptors in the bronchi, an effect on the beta receptors in the heart cannot be ruled out.
This usually has no drastic effect on healthy individuals.However, in patients suffering from heart disease, the effect of salmeterol on the receptors in the heart can be life-threatening. For example, Viani® must not be used in patients with existing coronary artery disease, hypertrophic-obstructive cardiomyopathy, tachycardic arrhythmia, Wolff-Parkinsson-White syndrome or so-called long-QT syndrome. There are also contraindications in cases of severe hyperthyroidism and pheochromocytoma (a tumor in the adrenal medulla). In addition, a known allergy to one of the active ingredients contained in Viani® is considered a contraindication for taking the combination product. In the event of pregnancy, the use of Viani® should always be discussed with the treating physician so that the dose can be adjusted or a switch to another drug can be made if necessary.
