Serevent® (Salmeterol)
The Staff at National Jewish has prepared the following information to help you understand the correct use of Serevent®.
Serevent is available in a discus. This is a type of device to inhale medicine. Serevent® is also available combined with Flovent® (inhaled steroid) as Advair®. Serevent® is a long-term control medicine. This means it is taken every day to maintain control of your lung disease. Serevent® works by relaxing the muscles around the airways in the lungs. This is the same way some quick-relief medicine works. Examples of quick-relief medicine that also relaxes muscles around the airways include Proventil®, Ventolin® (albuterol), Xopenex® (levalbuterol) and Maxair® (pirbuterol). Serevent® differs from these medicines in that it does not begin working right away so it is not a quick-relief medicine and has a longer duration of action. This allows for twice daily dosing as a long-term control medicine.
In a large asthma study, more patients who used salmeterol died from asthma problems compared to patients who did not use salmeterol. This has received much attention in newspapers and magazines. While the relationship between Serevent® and deaths due to asthma remains unclear, proper use of this medicine can decrease any risks.
Long-Term Control, NOT Quick-Relief
Serevent®, with its slow onset of action and long duration of action, is not intended for use as a quick-relief medicine. Therefore it should not be used for relief of acute symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. Serevent®'s longer onset of action, the time it takes to begin working, means that you may not feel immediate relief after taking the medicine. Thus, you should continue to use your quick relief medicine for trouble breathing. Because Serevent® lasts longer you may feel relief for a longer period of time.
It is very important to keep track of the number of times you need to use the quick-relief medicine and talk with your healthcare provider about this. Serevent® is often used in combination with other long-term control medication, such as inhaled steroids. You should not reduce or stop any other medicine, especially long-term control medicine unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider. These medicines are important in managing your lung disease. They help reduce and prevent inflammation in the airways, which is necessary for long-term control of your lung disease.
Keep these points in mind:
- Do not use Serevent® for relief of acute symptoms
- Do not stop other medicine unless directed to do so
These tips will help you safely maintain control of your lung disease.
For further questions talk with your healthcare provider.
This information has been approved by Harold Nelson, MD (June 2006).
