Serevent (Salmeterol)

Serevent Diskus is used for long-term treatment of asthma. It may be used to prevent breathing problems in certain patients, including patients with nighttime 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.

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

Do not use Serevent if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Serevent;
• you are having an asthma attack (eg, sudden severe onset or worsening of asthma symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing).

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have had a severe allergic reaction to milk protein
• if you have a history of liver problems, diabetes, heart problems (eg, fast or irregular heartbeat, heart blood vessel problems), high blood pressure, low blood potassium levels, seizures, an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma), or an overactive thyroid
• if you have recently been to an emergency room for asthma, have a history of frequent hospitalizations for asthma, or have ever had a life-threatening asthma attack
• if you have had an unusual reaction to a sympathomimetic medicine (eg, albuterol, pseudoephedrine), such as fast or irregular heartbeat, overexcitement, or severe trouble sleeping
• if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) or a tricyclic antidepressant (eg, amitriptyline), or you have taken any of these medicines within the last 14 days

• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin), nefazodone, or telithromycin because the risk of fast or irregular heartbeat may be increased
• Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood potassium or irregular heartbeat may be increased
• Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg, entacapone), long-acting beta-agonists (eg, fluticasone/salmeterol, formoterol), MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Serevent Diskus 's side effects
• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because they may decrease Serevent Diskus 's effectiveness or worsen your condition

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.

• 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, coughing, increased chest tightness, shortness of breath, or wheezing); overexcitement; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; severe or persistent muscle pain or cramps.

Serevent is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.