Serevent Medication - Uses & Side Effects

SALMETEROL (Serevent®) is a slow-acting bronchodilator, a medicine that opens up air passages and makes breathing easier. Salmeterol is for regular use to help prevent asthma attacks or to treat the symptoms of chronic lung disease like emphysema or chronic bronchitis. It is not for use in an acute asthma attack. It can also be used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, at least 30 to 60 minutes before exercise is started. You must have a quick-acting bronchodilator (such as albuterol) readily available for use in an asthma attack. A generic salmeterol inhalation aerosol is not available.

NOTE: This inhalation aerosol has been discontinued in the US.

Serevent Dosage

• The usual dose is 2 inhalations (42 micrograms) twice a day (morning and evening) 12 hours apart.
• Take 1 inhalation at least 30 minutes before exercise. Do not take another dose for 12 hours. (If you are on a twice daily dosage schedule, do NOT take additional Serevent before exercise.)

Uses of Serevent

• Serevent Diskus is used to treat asthma.
• It is used only to prevent asthma attacks, not to treat an attack already in progress. It will not work fast enough to give relief during an attack.
• Salmeterol is also used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Side Effects of Serevent

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue using Serevent. Side effects may include:

• Asthma
• back pain
• bronchitis
• chest congestion
• cough
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• nasal inflammation
• pallor
• respiratory tract infection
• sinus headache
• sinus infection
• sinus problems
• sore throat
• stomachache
• tremor

Warnings and precautions before taking Serevent :

• Serevent is not for the treatment of seriously worsening asthma, and should not be started if your asthma is deteriorating.
• If you are taking inhaled or oral steroid medications for your asthma, continue using them along with Serevent. This drug does not replace them.
• A safety study found that one of the ingredients in Serevent, salmeterol, may be associated with rare cases of serious asthma attacks or asthma-related death. If you're concerned, talk with the doctor about your options. Do not, however, stop using Serevent without first consulting your doctor.
• Very rarely, Serevent has triggered allergic reactions in people with severe milk allergy. If you develop an allergic reaction (throat irritation, choking, hives, face and throat swelling, rash, and wheezing) after using Serevent, call your doctor immediately. Likewise, if symptoms of asthma or chronic lung disease get worse after inhaling Serevent, stop using it, take a short-acting bronchodilator, and check with your doctor at once.
• Although such effects are rare, Serevent can cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Use Serevent carefully if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or an irregular heartbeat. Caution is also advised if you have a seizure disorder or an overactive thyroid. Serevent aerosol inhaler can be given to children 12 years of age and older. The Diskus inhalation powder can be given to children 4 and older.

Drug Interaction :- If Serevent is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either drug could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Serevent with the following:

• Airway-opening medications such as Alupent, Proventil, and Ventolin
  
• Blood pressure medications known as beta blockers, including Inderal, Lopressor, and Tenormin
  
• MAO inhibitors such as the antidepressants Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
  
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil and Tofranil
  
• Water pills (diuretics) such as furosemide (Lasix) and hydrochlorothiazide

Overdose

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of Serevent overdose may include:

• Angina (chest pain)
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fatigue
• flu-like symptoms
• headache
• heart irregularities