Serevent Diskhaler

The recommended dose for people four years of age and older is 1 blister (50 µg) used with the Diskhaler or Diskus twice daily. Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh) must not be used to treat acute symptoms of asthma. For "rescue" purposes, use short-acting medications that start to work quickly such as salbutamol, terbutaline, or fenoterol. Ask your pharmacist to demonstrate the proper administration of the medication for the particular device you are using.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones given here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is very important to take Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh) on a regular schedule as prescribed by the doctor. Do not stop taking any of your regularly inhaled medications unless instructed to do so by your doctor. If you miss a dose of Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh), take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Diskhaler Disks

Each circular, double-foil blister pack contains 4 regularly distributed blisters, each containing a dry powder blend of microfine salmeterol. Each blister contains 50 µg of salmeterol. Nonmedicinal ingredient: lactose.

Diskus

Each dose of dry powder of microfine salmeterol for inhalation contains 50 µg of salmeterol. Nonmedicinal ingredient: lactose.

Do not use Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh) if you:

• are allergic to salmeterol or any ingredients of Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh)
• are allergic to lactose or milk protein
• are not using an inhaled corticosteroid (e.g., budesonide)
• have abnormal heart rhythms associated with fast heart rates

There may be an interaction between salmeterol and any of the following:

• Atomoxetine
• beta-blockers (e.g., Metoprolol, Propranolol)
• Digoxin
• diuretics (e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide, Furosemide)
• ketoconazole
• MAO inhibitors (e.g., Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine)
• ritonavir
• sympathomimetic medications (e.g., caffeine, ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine)
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Desipramine)

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh).

Asthma flare-ups: Talk to your doctor and make sure you know what to do if you have an asthma flare-up. This is sometimes referred to as an "asthma action plan." Knowing how to adjust your medication in response to an acute worsening of asthma is an important safety measure.

Medical conditions: If you have high blood pressure, heart problems, Diabetes, Thyroid problems, or Epilepsy (seizures), discuss with your doctor how Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Monitoring asthma: Talk to your doctor about ways for you to monitor your asthma at home, such as a peak flow meter. Peak flow metres measure the amount of air you can expel in a short time and can help you identify when your asthma might be flaring up even before you begin to experience symptoms.

Prevention only: Salmeterol should not be used to treat acute symptoms (as a "rescue" medication). It is meant for prevention purposes only. Salmeterol should be taken along with other medications called inhaled corticosteroids. Short-acting medications such as salbutamol, terbutaline, or fenoterol are required for relief of breathing symptoms as instructed by your doctor and should be available at all times.

Worsening symptoms: If you find you need to use your short-acting ("rescue") inhaler more often or if your condition seems to worsen, call your doctor. If you have not been given instructions beforehand, contact your doctor immediately about what to do if any of the following situations occur (they may be signs of seriously worsening asthma):

• decreased effectiveness of short-acting, inhaled bronchodilators such as salbutamol, terbutaline, or fenoterol (less than 4 hours of relief)
• need for more inhalations than usual of short-acting, inhaled bronchodilators
• peak flow meter showing results in the below-normal range

Pregnancy: Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if salmeterol passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Serevent Diskhaler (Salmeterol-inh), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using salmeterol have not been established for children younger than 4 years of age.