Salmeterol is used to control wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; a group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). It is also used along with an inhaled steroid medication to control wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness and in adults and children 4 years of age and older with asthma. It is also is used to prevent bronchospasm (breathing difficulties) during exercise in adults and children 4 years of age and older. Salmeterol is in a class of medications called long-acting beta agonists (LABAs).