Serevent Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Salmeterol xinafoate

Salmeterol is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing. SALMETEROL (Serevent®) is a slow-acting bronchodilator, a medicine that opens up air passages and makes breathing easier. Salmeterol is for regular use to help prevent asthma attacks or to treat the symptoms of chronic lung disease like emphysema or chronic bronchitis. It can also be used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, at least 30 to 60 minutes before exercise is started. You must have a quick-acting bronchodilator (such as albuterol) readily available for use in an asthma attack.

Serevent Dosage

• For Asthma and Chronic Pulmonary Disease, the usual dose is 2 inhalations (42 micrograms) twice a day (morning and evening) 12 hours apart.
• For Prevention of Exercise-induced Asthma, take 2 inhalations at least 30 to 60 minutes before exercise. Do not take another dose for 12 hours.

Uses of Serevent

• Serevent is used to prevent asthma attacks. It will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun.
• Serevent is also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Side Effects of Serevent

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Serevent. Side effects may include:

• Asthma
• back pain
• bronchitis
• chest congestion
• cough
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• nasal inflammation
• pallor
• respiratory tract infection
• sinus headache
• sinus infection
• sinus problems
• sore throat
• stomachache
• tremor

Warnings and precautions before taking Serevent:

• Serevent is not for the treatment of seriously worsening asthma, and should not be started if your asthma is deteriorating.
• If you are taking inhaled or oral steroid medications for your asthma, then continue using them along with Serevent. This drug does not replace them.
• Do not stop Serevent therapy without a doctor's guidance. Because your symptoms could worsen without the medication.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Serevent, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Serevent medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Serevent with the following:

• Airway-opening medications such as Alupent, Proventil, and Ventolin
  
• Blood pressure medications known as beta blockers, including Inderal, Lopressor, and Tenormin
  
• MAO inhibitors such as the antidepressants Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
  
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil and Tofranil
  
• Water pills (diuretics) such as furosemide (Lasix) and hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)

Overdose

When you are taking Serevent, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of a Serevent overdose may include:

• muscle cramps
• dry mouth
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• tremors
• chest pain
• fast or irregular heartbeats
• feeling light-headed
• fainting or seizure (convulsions)