Serevent Diskus
Salmeterol
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Serevent Diskus
Serevent Diskus is a long acting beta agonist bronchodilator drug. It dilates the airways in the lungs, and helps to breathe more easily.
Therapeutic Uses of Serevent Diskus
Serevent Diskus is used in treatment of asthma (long term). It is also used for long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can also be used to prevent breathing problems in certain patients, including patients with nighttime asthma, or breathing problems caused by exercise. It may also be used for other medical conditions as determined by your doctor.
Direction of use of Serevent Diskus
Use Serevent Diskus as per direction of your doctor or other health care provider:
- Always use the device in a level and horizontal position. Do not use a spacer device with Serevent Diskus.
- Open the protective foil pouch and remove the inhaler device, to prepare the device for use and hold the device in one hand. Use the thumb of the opposite hand to push the thumb-grip as far away from you as it goes. The mouthpiece will appear and snap into position.
- Hold the device at a level, flat position with the mouthpiece towards you. With your thumb slide the lever away from you as far as possible. You will hear a click which means the device is now ready for use. Do not close or tilt the device or move the lever more than once. You may accidentally release or waste a dose of Serevent Diskus.
- Close the device when you are finished taking a dose. Slide the thumb-grip back into position. The device will click shut, which means the device has return to its original position.
- Serevent Diskus delivers the dose as a very fine powder. Most (but not all), patients can taste or feel it. Even if you cannot feel it, that does not matter and do not use more than the recommended dose. If you are not sure if you are receiving your dose, contact your doctor or other health care provider.
- If you are using Serevent Diskus to prevent breathing problems caused by exercise, use it at least 30 minutes before you start your regular exercise and do not use another dose for at least 12 hours. If you already use Serevent Diskus twice daily on a regular basis, do not take an extra dose for your exercise.
- Discard the inhaler 6 weeks after removing it from the protective foil pouch or after all the blisters have been used, whichever comes earlier.
- Never wash the mouthpiece or any other part of the inhaler, but keep it clean by wiping it with a clean piece of dry cloth. Keep it dry and always store it in a dry place.
- Keep using Serevent Diskus even if you feel well without missing any dose of it.
If You Miss a Dose of Serevent Diskus
If you miss a dose of Serevent, you should skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at a time.
How to Store Serevent Diskus
Serevent Diskus should be stored at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store it away from moisture, heat and direct light in a well closed dark color container. Throw Serevent Diskus away 6 weeks after it is removed from the foil pouch. Keep Serevent Diskus out of the reach of children.
More Information About Serevent Diskus
Serevent Diskus should be used by the patient only for whom it is prescribed. Do not share Serevent Diskus with others. If you are not getting any symptomatic improvement or your symptoms are getting worse, you should consult your doctor. If you have any question about Serevent Diskus, ask your doctor or other health care worker.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Serevent Diskus
Do not use Serevent Diskus, if you have any medical problem listed below and consult your doctor immediately:
- If you have allergy to any of the ingredients of Serevent Diskus.
- If you are having a severe asthma attack (sudden severe onset or worsening of asthma symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing).
Some medical conditions may interact with Serevent Diskus. You should inform your doctor or other health care provider if you have any medical condition that may interact with Serevent, especially any of the following medical conditions:
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or if you are breast feeding.
- If you are taking any prescription medicine, over the counter medicine (nonprescription medicine), herbal preparation, or dietary supplements.
- If you are allergic to any food, any medicine including Serevent Diskus or any other substance (including severe allergic reaction to milk protein).
- If you have a history of any liver problem, diabetes mellitus, heart problems (fast and/or irregular heartbeat, heart blood vessel problems), high blood pressure, low blood potassium levels, seizures, an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma), or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- If you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) like phenelzine, a tricyclic antidepressant like amitriptyline, or you have taken any of these medicines within the last 2 weeks.
- If you have had an unusual reaction to a sympathomimetic medicine like albuterol, pseudoephedrine etc. such as fast or irregular heartbeat, overexcitement, or severe trouble sleeping (severe insomnia).
- If you have recently been to an emergency room for asthma or have a history of frequent hospitalizations for asthma, or have ever had a life threatening asthma attack know as status asthmaticus.
Some medicines may interact with Serevent Diskus. If you have any question about the medicines that interact with Serevent Diskus, you should ask your doctor or other health care provider. You should inform if you are taking any medicine that may interact with Serevent Diskus, especially any of the following medicines that are listed below:
- Azole antifungals like ketoconazole, HIV protease inhibitors (anti-HIV drugs) like ritonavir, macrolide antibiotics (like clarithromycin, azithromycin), nefazodone etc. because the risk of side effects like fast or irregular heartbeat may be increased.
- Non selective beta-blockers like propranolol because they may decrease effectiveness of Serevent Diskus or worsen your condition.
- Diuretics like furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide etc. because the risk of low blood potassium or irregular heartbeat may be increased due to Serevent Diskus.
- Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors like entacapone; longer acting beta agonists like fluticasone and salmeterol combination, formoterol; MAOIs like phenelzine, tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline etc. because they may increase the risk of side effects Serevent Diskus.
Possible Adverse Effects of Serevent Diskus
- All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Common and minor side effects of Serevent Diskus are mild nausea, headache; nasal congestion, sinus congestion; nervousness; stuffy nose; throat irritation; tremor etc. Consult your doctor or other health care provider if your common and minor side effects become bothersome and persistent.
- Serious side effects of Serevent Diskus are severe allergic reaction (symptoms of severe allergic reaction are skin rash, itching, unusual hoarseness of voice, difficulty in breathing, tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat); chest pain; choking; fast or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia); fever; new or worsening symptoms of asthma (like coughing, increased chest tightness, shortness of breath, or wheezing); overexcitement; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; severe or persistent muscle pain or cramps. If you experience any of the serious side effects of Serevent Diskus, that are listed above you should consult your doctor immediately.
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