50 micrograms/dose of inhalation powder, a divided dose of Salmeterol
What Serevent Diskus is and what it is used for
Serevent is a long-acting tracheal dilator that acts mainly on the trachea (bronchoselective beta-stimulator) so that cramping and obstruction ( bronchial obstruction ) is reduced for at least 12 hours. The effect sets in within 10-20 minutes. The full effect is achieved after 2-3 hours.
Serevent Diskus is used in the maintenance treatment of asthma together with inhaled cortisone preparations and in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ). Serevent Diskus does not provide immediate relief in acute asthma attacks. You should then take another bronchodilator medication. If the treatment does not give the desired effect, consult a doctor.
If you are being treated for asthma you should always have both Serevent and inhaled cortisone to take with you.
Before using Serevent Diskus
Do not take Serevent Diskus
- if you are allergic to salmeterol or the other ingredient lactose monohydrate (listed in section 6) in Serevent Diskus Lactose monohydrate contains milk protein.
Take special care with Serevent Diskus
Consult a physician before starting treatment with Serevent Diskus if you have any of the following conditions:
- cardiovascular disease
- increased thyroid function ( hyperthyroidism )
- diabetes
- condition with decreased potassium in the blood
Immediately after dosing Serevent Diskus paradoxical bronchospasm (respiratory cramps) with increased wheezing may occur. If this happens, inhale a fast-acting bronchodilator immediately Stop taking Serevent Diskus and contact your doctor.
Before you start using Serevent, tell your doctor if you are being treated for fungal infection with medicines containing ketoconazole or itraconazole, or if you are being treated for ritonavir HIV
These medicines may increase the risk of side effects with Serevent, including irregular heartbeat, or aggravate side effects
If you are using Serevent for asthma your doctor may want to monitor your symptoms more regularly. If your asthma or breathing worsens, consult your doctor.
Other drugs and Serevent Diskus
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. This also applies to those for asthma or any over-the-counter medicine. The effect of the treatment can be affected if Serevent and certain other medicines are taken at the same time.
- Before you start using Serevent, tell your doctor if you are being treated for fungal infection with medicines containing ketoconazole or itraconazole, or if you are being treated for ritonavir HIV These medicines may increase the risk of side effects with Serevent, including irregular heartbeat, or aggravate the side effects
- Avoid taking beta-blockers while taking Serevent, unless your doctor tells you to. Beta-blockers such as atenolol, propranolol, and sand sotalol are often used to treat high blood pressure or other heart conditions. Tell your doctor if you are taking beta-blockers or have recently been prescribed beta-blockers as these may reduce or prevent the effects of salmeterol
- Serevent can reduce the amount of potassium in the blood. Symptoms of this may be that the heart beats irregularly, muscle weakness, or cramping. This is more likely to happen if you are taking Serevent with medicines to treat high blood pressure such as diuretics or if you are taking other medicines for breathing problems such as theophyllines or cortisone You may be asked to provide a blood test to check your potassium levels. If you have any further questions, ask your doctor.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or brbreastfeedingthink you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Limited experience of use during pregnancy. Therefore, consult a physician when using Serevent during pregnancy.
It is unknown whether Serevent passes into breast milk. Therefore consult a doctor before use during bbreastfeeding
Driving and using machines
You are responsible for assessing whether you are fit to drive a motor vehicle or perform work that requires increased vigilance. One of the factors that can affect your ability in these respects is the use of drugs due to their effects and/or side effects Descriptions of these effects and side effects can be found in other sections. Read all the information in this leaflet for guidance. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serevent Diskus contains lactose
Serevent Diskus contains lactose up to 12.5 mg / dose. This amount normally does not cause any problems for lactose intolerant people. The excipient lactose contains small amounts of milk protein which may cause allergic reactions.
How to use Serevent Diskus
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. The recommended dose for adults and children from the age of 6 is 1 dose morning and evening. To achieve full effect, Serevent Diskus should be used regularly. You may not taste or feel the powder on your tongue, even if you have used the inhaler correctly. Serevent Diskus should not be used more than twice a day. See instructions for use for more information.
If you have difficulty breathing or wheezing, continue to take Serevent Diskus but contact your doctor as soon as possible as you may need further treatment. When your asthma is under control, your doctor may decide to gradually reduce the dose of Serevent Diskus
If you take more Serevent Diskus than you should
If you have ingested too much medicine or if e.g. If a child has inadvertently ingested the medicine, contact a doctor or hospital for risk assessment and advice.
In case of overdose, you may experience increased palpitations, tremors, headaches, and/oor dizziness
If you forget to take Serevent Diskus
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms (signs of an allergic/anaphylactic reaction): swelling of the face, oral cavity ,and throat, convulsions in the trachea, shortness of breath,
This is a very rare side effect (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people).
Other side effects:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) Tremors, palpitations, muscle cramps, and headaches.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) Rash, very fast heart rate, and anxiety.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) Decreased blood potassium levels, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping.
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people): Hypersensitivity reactions, such as hives, skin rash, high blood glucose levels, joint and muscle pain, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, irritation of the mouth and throat, and nausea.
Inhalation treatment can, through unclear mechanisms, give rise to cramps in the trachea, which can result in difficulty breathing and wheezingDiscontinue treatment if you experience these symptoms after taking Serevent Diskus Use the inhaler with the fast-acting tracheal dilator medicine and consult a doctor.
The side effects are often ddose-dependent
How to store Serevent Diskus
- Keep out of sight and reach of children.
- Do not store above 30 ° C.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.
The medicine should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
As drug residues can remain in the empty packages, they should not be thrown in the rubbish but the empty packages should also be returned to pharmacies.
Contents of the pack and other information
Content declaration
The active substance in Serevent Diskus is salmeterol . Each dose contains 50 micrograms of salmeterol (as salmeterol xinafoate).
The other ingredient is lactose monohydrate (which contains milk proteins).
What the medicine looks like and cthe ontents of the pack
Serevent Diskus is a molded plastic inhaler, in which the inhalation powder is packaged in divided blister doses in a foil strip with a tear-off cover.
Serevent Diskus is packed in cartons in pack sizes of 1×60 doses or 3 × 60 doses
Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer
GlaxoSmithKline AB, Box 516, 169 29 Solna
Tel: 08-638 93 00
Email: info.produkt@gsk.com