Product Details: Serevent Diskus (Salmeterol)

PLEASE NOTE BRAND SEREVENT DISKUS IS ALSO MARKETED INTERNATIONALLY UNDER THE NAME SEREVENT ACCUHALER.

Brand Name Options - Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline

Description

Each brand Diskus has 60 doses. Each generic inhaler has 30 doses.

This medicine is a long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilator used for the long-term treatment of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It may also be used to prevent breathing problems in certain patients including patients with nighttime asthma symptoms or breathing problems caused by exercise. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES WITH A MEDICATION GUIDE. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. THIS MEDICINE DELIVERS YOUR DOSE as a very fine powder. You may or may not taste or feel it. Even if you do not taste or feel it, Do NOT use more than the recommended dose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your dose. Always activate and use this device in a level, flat position. Do NOT try to use a spacer with this medicine. TO PREPARE THE INHALER FOR USE: Remove the inhaler device from the foil pouch. Hold the device in one hand. Use the thumb of the opposite hand to push the thumbgrip as far away from you as it will go. The mouthpiece will appear. Use your thumb to slide the lever away from you as far as it will go. You should hear a click. The device is now ready for use. Do NOT close or tilt the device. Do not play with the lever or move it more than once. TO USE A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE: Hold the inhaler device in a horizontal, level position, away from your mouth. Breathe out slowly and deeply. Do NOT exhale into the device. Put the mouthpiece to your lips. Breathe in forcefully and deeply through your mouth. Hold your breath. Remove the device from your mouth. Continue to hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as comfortable, then breathe out slowly. CLOSE THE INHALER DEVICE before storing it. IF YOU ARE USING THIS MEDICINE to prevent exercise-induced breathing problems, use it at least 30 minutes before exercise. Do not use another dose for at least 12 hours. If you are using this medicine regularly, twice a day, do NOT use an extra dose before exercise. Do NOT try to take the inhaler device apart. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 to 25 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. CONTINUE TO USE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT use 2 doses at once.

Cautions

DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or use this medicine more often than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Doing so may increase the risk of serious heart problems (such as irregular heartbeat) from this medicine. IF YOU HAVE BEEN REGULARLY USING a short-acting bronchodilator inhaler (such as albuterol), talk with your doctor about how to use it with this medicine. DO NOT START, STOP, OR CHANGE the dose of this or any of your asthma medicines without first checking with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE for corticosteroid medicines. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including lung function tests or blood pressure checks may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT STOP AN ASTHMA ATTACK once one has started. Be sure to carry your short-acting bronchodilator with you to use during asthma attacks. If you have questions about which medicines are used to prevent asthma attacks and which medicines stop asthma attacks, check with your doctor or pharmacist. TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST about all your asthma medicines. Be sure you understand when and how to use them. TELL YOUR DOCTOR AT ONCE if you find that your short-acting inhaler is not working as well, you need to use it more often than usual (such as using 4 or more puffs daily for more than 2 days in a row or using more than 1 inhaler every 8 weeks), or if you have a decrease in your peak flow meter results. This may be a sign of worsening asthma which is a very serious condition. RARELY, YOU MAY EXPERIENCE severe breathing problems immediately after using this medicine (paradoxical bronchospasm). If this occurs, use your short-acting bronchodilator and seek immediate medical attention. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR OR SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE if you have breathing problems that worsen quickly, or if you use your short-acting bronchodilator and do not get relief. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine may cause dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine especially the effects on the heart. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while using this medicine include headache, nasal or sinus congestion, nervousness, or throat irritation. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience overexcitement; severe or persistent muscle cramps or weakness; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; or tremor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain; choking; difficulty swallowing; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; swelling of your hands, legs, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness; or new or worsening asthma symptoms (such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, or chest tightness). AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Active Ingredients

Salmeterol