Uses
What is Serevent Diskus used for?
Serevent Diskus (salmeterol) is commonly used for the following conditions.
- Asthma, with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) controller medicine
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Exercise-induced bronchospasm, which is airway tightening during exercise
Serevent Diskus may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does Serevent Diskus work (mechanism of action)?
Serevent Diskus contains a medicine called salmeterol that helps relax the muscles around the airways, making it easier for you to breathe. Once the muscles can relax, air can flow more easily throughout the lungs. Salmeterol is long acting, which means the medicine continues to work over a long period of time.
How is Serevent Diskus supplied (dosage forms)?
Serevent Diskus is available in the following dosage form that is inhaled by mouth.
- 50 mcg inhalation powder (Diskus inhaler)
How should I store Serevent Diskus?
Serevent Diskus should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 89 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, away from heat or sunlight.
Keep the inhaler inside of its unopened foil package until you are ready to use it. Once the foil package has been opened, Serevent Diskus is only good for 6 weeks. Throw out and replace the inhaler once 6 weeks have passed from the time you open it, or when there are no more doses left, whichever is sooner.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Serevent Diskus?
The most common side effects of Serevent Diskus are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Headache
- Flu or viral respiratory infection also known as the common cold
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Tracheitis or bronchitis (throat or chest inflammation)
- Cough
- Musculoskeletal pain (muscle or joint pain)
- Throat irritation
There may be other side effects of Serevent Diskus that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of Serevent Diskus?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Serevent Diskus are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Serevent Diskus may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Serevent Diskus and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Sudden Breathing Problems. Serevent Diskus may cause the airways to tighten instead of relaxing, which can make it harder for you to breathe. Stop using Serevent Diskus and call your healthcare provider right away if you are having a hard time breathing, or seek medical attention if symptoms are severe.
Nervous System Problems. Serevent Diskus may cause serious nervous system effects, such as nervousness, tremors, and headaches. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience these symptoms.
Heart Problems. Serevent Diskus may increase your risk of experiencing certain effects on the heart, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), low blood pressure (hypotension), abnormal heart rhythm, or chest pain (angina). Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of these symptoms after using Serevent Diskus.
Low Potassium Level (Hypokalemia). Serevent Diskus can cause a low potassium level, which can be serious. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms, which could be signs of low potassium.
- Muscle cramping or weakness
- Constipation
- Tiredness
- Heart palpitations
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia). Serevent Diskus may cause your blood sugar to increase. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to keep your blood sugar levels healthy.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Serevent Diskus?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Serevent Diskus.
- Serevent Diskus
- Salmeterol
- Lactose
- Milk proteins
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Serevent Diskus.
Single Medicine Treatment in Asthma. In people with asthma, Serevent Diskus should be used with another type of inhaler, called an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Using Serevent Diskus alone for asthma without an ICS may increase the risk of asthma-related death. If you have asthma, discuss with your healthcare provider which inhalers are necessary to help manage your symptoms.
Worsening of Breathing. Serevent Diskus should not be used for asthma or COPD that is getting worse quickly. If you are using your rescue inhaler (such as an albuterol inhaler) more often than usual, contact your healthcare provider to review your current asthma or COPD regimen.
What should I know about Serevent Diskus before using it
Do not use Serevent Diskus unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed. Using Serevent Diskus more often than prescribed may increase the risk of serious side effects.
Do not stop Serevent Diskus without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping Serevent Diskus may cause your symptoms to come back.
Do not share Serevent Diskus with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep Serevent Diskus out of the reach of children.
Serevent Diskus contains a medicine called salmeterol, a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA). Do not use Serevent Diskus with other inhalers that contain a LABA.
Make sure that you understand how to use the Serevent Diskus inhaler before you start using it. If you have any questions about how to use the Serevent Diskus inhaler, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Serevent Diskus?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Serevent Diskus is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Seizures
- Thyroid problems
- Brain and nerve problems
- Liver problems
- Diabetes
Other Medicines and Supplements. Serevent Diskus may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Serevent Diskus, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Serevent Diskus could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Serevent Diskus while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if Serevent Diskus passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Serevent Diskus while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does Serevent Diskus interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between Serevent Diskus and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Serevent Diskus.
Does Serevent Diskus interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or OTC medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are taking.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Serevent Diskus.
- A medicine for HIV or AIDS
- A medicine used for fungal infections, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend)
- A beta-blocker, such as metoprolol (Toprol XL, Lopressor, and others), carvedilol (Coreg), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine used to treat heart problems or high blood pressure
- A long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA), such as salmeterol (Serevent), formoterol (Perforomist), arformoterol (Brovana), or olodaterol (Striverdi), which is an inhaled medicine like Serevent Diskus that is used to treat asthma and COPD
- A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 2 weeks, which is a medicine usually used to treat depression or Parkinson’s disease
- A tricyclic antidepressant within the past 2 weeks, such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline (Pamelor), even if it is not used for depression
- A diuretic, also called a water pill, such as furosemide or torsemide, that is used to remove extra fluid in the body or for high blood pressure
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Serevent Diskus. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Serevent Diskus. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Serevent Diskus?
If you or someone else has used too much Serevent Diskus, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Serevent Diskus?
If you miss a dose of Serevent Diskus, simply skip it. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at once.
Are you currently using Serevent Diskus (salmeterol)?
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