Serevent (Salmeterol)

Serevent is used for long-term treatment of asthma. It may be used to prevent breathing problems in certain patients, including patients with night-time asthma, or breathing problems caused by exercise.

Use Serevent as directed by your doctor.

• Always activate and use this device in a level, horizontal position. Do not try to use a spacer device with Serevent.
• To prepare the device for use, open the protective foil pouch and remove the inhaler device. 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 will go. The mouthpiece will appear and snap into position.
• Hold the device in a level, flat position with the mouthpiece towards you. 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, play with the lever, or move the lever more than once. You may accidentally release or waste a dose.
• Close the device when you are finished taking a dose. Slide the thumb-grip back towards you as far as it will go. The device will click shut, and the lever will return to its original position.
• Serevent delivers your dose as a very fine powder. Most, but not all, patients can taste or feel it. Even if you cannot feel it, do not use more than the recommended dose. If you are not sure if you are receiving your dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you are using Serevent to prevent breathing problems caused by exercise, use it at least 30 minutes before you start to exercise. Do not use another dose for at least 12 hours. If you already use Serevent twice daily on a regular basis, do NOT take an extra dose before you exercise.
• Discard the inhaler 6 weeks after removing it from the protective foil pouch or after all the blisters have been used, whichever comes first.
• Never wash the mouthpiece or any other part of the inhaler. Keep it dry and always store it in a dry place.
• Continue to use Serevent even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

Serevent is a long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilator. It widens the airways in the lungs, which helps you breathe more easily.

If you miss a dose of Serevent, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Store Serevent at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store Serevent away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Throw Serevent away 6 weeks after it is removed from the foil pouch. Keep Serevent out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Do not use Serevent if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Serevent;
• you are having an asthma attack (eg, sudden severe onset or worsening of asthma symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing).

• Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Serevent will not stop an asthma attack once one has started. If you are also using another inhaler for asthma attacks, be sure to carry it with you at all times for use during an asthma attack.
• Try to avoid irritants that may trigger an asthma attack, such as smoke, pollen, pet dander, dust, or molds.
• If you have been regularly using a short-acting bronchodilator inhaler (eg, albuterol), talk with your doctor about how to use it with Serevent. Short-acting bronchodilators are normally only used with Serevent to treat breathing problems that may occur between doses.
• The risk of serious heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat) may be greater if you use Serevent in high doses. Do not use more than the recommended dose or use more often than prescribed.
• If your symptoms do not get better within 1 week of starting Serevent, or if they get worse, contact your doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor at once if you notice that your short-acting bronchodilator inhaler does not work as well, if you need to use it often (eg, 4 or more times a day for more than 2 days in a row; more than 1 canister in 8 weeks), or if you have a decrease in your peak flow meter results.
• Serevent is not to be used in place of a corticosteroid. If you are using a corticosteroid medicine for asthma, do not stop or reduce the dose unless your doctor tells you to.
• Serevent may sometimes cause severe breathing problems right after you use a dose. If this happens, use your short-acting bronchodilator. Contact your doctor or seek other medical care at once.
• Diabetes patients - Serevent may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including lung function tests and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Serevent. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Serevent with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially effects on the heart.
• Serevent should not be used in children younger than 4 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Serevent while you are pregnant. It is not known if Serevent is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Serevent, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• headache; nasal or sinus congestion; nervousness; stuffy nose; throat irritation; tremor.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; choking; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; new or worsening asthma symptoms (eg, increased chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath, or wheezing); overexcitement; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; severe or persistent muscle pain or cramps.

Serevent is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.