Serevent

Generic name:

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. It may be used for long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

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

Do NOT use Salmeterol if:

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Salmeterol :

Some medical conditions may interact with Salmeterol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Salmeterol. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Salmeterol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Salmeterol :

Use Salmeterol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Salmeterol comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Salmeterol refilled.

Always activate and use this device in a level, horizontal position. Do NOT try to use a spacer device with Salmeterol.

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 thumbgrip 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.

To use a dose of Salmeterol , hold the inhaler level and away from your mouth. Breathe out fully. Do NOT exhale into the device for any reason. Put the mouthpiece to your lips. Breathe in quickly and deeply through your mouth and hold your breath. Remove the inhaler from your mouth. Continue to hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as possible. Then, breathe out slowly.

Close the device when you are finished taking a dose. Slide the thumbgrip back towards you as far as it will go. The device will click shut, and the lever will return to its original position.

Salmeterol 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 Salmeterol 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 Salmeterol 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.

The dose indicator on the device will tell you how many doses are left. The dose indicator will read "0" when all the blisters have been used.

Never wash the mouthpiece or any other part of the inhaler. Keep it dry and always store it in a dry place.

Do NOT try to take the unit apart.

Continue to use Salmeterol even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

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

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Salmeterol.

Possible side effects of Salmeterol :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. 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.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

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.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.