Serevent Diskus
Generic name:salmeterol (inhalation) [ sal-MEE-ter-all ]
Drug class:Adrenergic bronchodilators
What is Serevent?
Serevent is a long-acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonist (LABA) bronchodilator. It works by helping the muscles around the airways in your lungs stay relaxed to improve breathing.
Serevent Diskus is used to prevent asthma attacks or exercise-induced bronchospasm. It is also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Serevent Diskus is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and will not replace a rescue inhaler.
Warnings
Do not use Serevent Diskus to treat an asthma attack that has already begun.
Serevent Diskus may increase the risk of asthma-related death. Use only the prescribed dose of this medication, and do not use it for longer than your doctor recommends. Follow all patient instructions for safe use. Talk with your doctor about your individual risks and benefits of using this medicine.
If you use Serevent Diskus for asthma, you must use it together with an inhaled steroid medicine for long-term asthma control. Seek medical attention if you think any of your asthma medications are not working as well as usual.
Do not use a second form of salmeterol (such as Advair) or use a similar inhaled bronchodilator such as formoterol or arformoterol (Foradil, Perforomist, Symbicort, or Brovana) unless your doctor has told you to.
Seek medical attention if you think any of your asthma medications are not working as well as usual. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack. If you use a peak flow meter at home, call your doctor if your numbers are lower than normal.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Serevent Diskus if you are allergic to salmeterol or to milk proteins.
To make sure Serevent Diskus is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
a food or drug allergy;
heart disease or high blood pressure;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
diabetes;
a thyroid disorder; or
It is not known whether salmeterol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Serevent Diskus can increase the risk of asthma-related hospitalization in children and teenagers. It is very important that children using this medicine for asthma use it together with another long-term asthma control medication.
Do not give Serevent Diskus to a child younger than 4 years old.
