Serevent Inhaler

What is Serevent?

Serevent contains the active ingredient Salmeterol. Salmeterol is used to manage and control the symptoms of asthma over the longer term.

Serevent (Salmeterol) is a long-acting bronchodilator, it is not suitable as an immediate reliever in the case of an acute asthma attack.

How does Serevent work?

Salmeterol is a long-acting beta 2 agonist. It specifically works on receptors within the lung causing relaxation of the muscles of the airways, this in effect opens up the airways.

In both asthmatics and those suffering from COPD, bronchodilation will alleviate the breathing problems that occur due to bronchospasm.

Because Salmeterol is long-acting, it will help to reduce future asthma attacks.

Salmeterol starts to work in 15minutes after inhaling the dosage, it can last up to 12hours.

Types of Serevent inhalers are available?

Serevent Diskhaler: This is also a dry powder inhalation device and comes with a blister pack that reloads after each use. The dosage within each blister is 50mcg of Salmeterol.

Servent Accuhaler: This is a dry powder inhalation device that contains blisters. The dosage within each blister is 50mcg of Salmeterol. This device requires aerosol inhalation.

Serevent Evohaler: This is a CFC-free metered aerosol dose inhaler, it contains 25 micrograms of salmeterol. This requires aerosol inhalation.

Benefits of Serevent?

There are a few unique benefits of Serevent inhalers compared to other asthma/COPD treatment options:

• Is effective in treating both asthma and COPD.
• Salmeterol is long-acting (12 hours) making it an important treatment for the prevention of future attacks.
• They are useful in preventing shortness of breath associated with exercise and nighttime symptoms.
• Clinical trials have proven it to be highly effective in improving symptoms related to asthma in the long term.

Differences between the Serevent inhalers?

Serevent is available as three devices, all the devices contain Salmeterol.  The type of inhaler and dosage is designed to help you achieve the most symptom-free state.

Evohaler

The Evohaler is the most commonly prescribed. It is an aerosol inhaler dispensing 25mcg per dose. It is usually an add-on treatment in those who are having trouble controlling their symptoms with the standard preventer reliever regime.

Diskhaler

Serevent Diskhaler is a dry powder inhaler, it contains 50mcg of Salmeterol per dose. It is usually an add-on treatment in those who are having trouble controlling their symptoms with the standard preventer reliever regime.

Accuhaler

Serevent Accuhaler also comes in a dry powder inhalation device and contains 50mcg of Salmeterol per dosage. It is used to provide a long-acting bronchodilator, usually as an add-on.

How to use Serevent?

Serevent is a ‘preventer inhaler. It is usually prescribed as one dose twice a day. The dosage can be titrated up to two inhalations twice daily as per your doctor's instructions.

You cannot use a Serevent inhaler if you are having an asthma attack. In that situation, you will need a ‘reliever such as Ventolin.

The inhalers can be used in a standing or sitting position, but should always be upright.

Consult the individual patient information leaflet for advice on how to use, alternatively speak to your doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist for additional help.

Side effects & precautions

Serevent should not be used (and is not sufficient) as the first treatment for asthma.

Serevent is not a replacement for oral or inhaled corticosteroids in asthma. Its use is complementary to them.

Do not stop or reduce your steroid therapy without medical advice even if you feel better on salmeterol.

Increasing use of short-acting bronchodilators to relieve asthma symptoms indicates deterioration of asthma control. In this case seek medical advice.

Although Serevent may be introduced as add-on therapy when inhaled corticosteroids do not provide adequate control of asthma symptoms, it should not be started in acute exacerbations or when the symptoms are poorly controlled.

Sudden and progressive deterioration in control of asthma is potentially life-threatening, seek urgent medical assessment.

Paradoxical bronchospasm

As with other inhalational therapies, paradoxical bronchospasm may occur with an immediate increase in wheezing and fall in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) after dosing. This should be treated immediately with a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Serevent inhaler should be discontinued immediately.

Cardiovascular effects

Cardiovascular effects, such as increases in systolic blood pressure and heart rate, may occasionally be seen with all sympathomimetic drugs, especially at higher than therapeutic doses.

Thyrotoxicosis

Serevent should be administered with caution in patients with thyrotoxicosis.

Blood glucose levels

There have been very rare reports of increases in blood glucose levels (see section 4.8) and this should be considered when prescribing to patients with a history of diabetes mellitus.

Ketoconazole

The use of systemic ketoconazole significantly increases systemic exposure to salmeterol. This may lead to an increase in the incidence of systemic effects and cardiac effects.

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

A moderate amount of clinical data on pregnant women (between 300 to 1000 pregnancy outcomes) indicate no malformative or feto/ neonatal toxicity of salmeterol.

As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of Serevent during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

Available pharmacodynamic/toxicological data in animals have shown excretion of salmeterol in milk. A risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded. Consult your doctor for more information.

Side-effects

As with all prescription medications, there might be certain side effects.

• hoarseness
• throat irritation
• headache
• rapid heartbeat
• nervousness
• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• insomnia

Serious side effects, such as an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and fainting, are very rare and highly unlikely to occur. If any of these potential side effects persist, you should seek immediate medical attention from a doctor.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below). By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

United Kingdom

Yellow Card Scheme

Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

Documentation