Seretide Evohaler
Seretide is an inhaled medicine that helps prevent asthma symptoms like shortness of breath and wheezing by opening airways and reducing inflammation.
Form
inhalaatiosumute, suspensio
Strength
25 / 125 mikrog / annos
Active Ingredient
Salmeterol xinafoate
Manufacturer
GlaxoSmithKline Oy
How to Use
Dosage
Typically, two puffs (inhalations) taken twice a day, every day.
Method
Inhale the medicine slowly and deeply into your lungs through the mouthpiece, then hold your breath for a few seconds.
Important
Do not take more than the dose your doctor has prescribed, typically not more than two puffs twice daily.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache (usually goes away with continued use).
- •Increased number of common colds (reported in COPD patients).
- •Thrush (sore, creamy-yellow raised patches) in the mouth and throat, pain in the tongue, hoarseness, and throat irritation. Rinsing your mouth with water and/or brushing your teeth after each dose can help prevent this.
- •Aching, swollen joints and muscle pain.
- •Muscle cramps.
- •Pneumonia and bronchitis (lung infection) with symptoms like increased mucus, change in mucus color, fever, chills, increased cough, and worsening breathing.
- •Bruises and fractures.
- •Sinusitis (a feeling of pressure or blockage in the nose, cheeks, and behind the eyes, sometimes with a throbbing ache).
- •Decreased blood potassium levels (can cause irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, or cramps).
RARE
- •Increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia); if you have diabetes, you might need more frequent blood sugar checks or changes to your diabetes treatment.
- •Cataracts (clouding of the eye lens).
- •Very fast heartbeat (tachycardia).
- •Tremors and fast or irregular heartbeats (palpitations) – these are usually harmless and lessen with continued use.
- •Chest pain.
- •Anxiety (mainly in children).
- •Sleep disturbances.
- •Allergic skin rash.
- •Worsening breathing difficulties or wheezing immediately after using Seretide. Stop using Seretide and contact your doctor immediately; use your fast-acting rescue inhaler.
- •Effects on the body's natural steroid hormone production (especially with high doses over long periods), which can lead to slowed growth in children and teens, thinning bones, glaucoma, weight gain, or a rounded face (Cushing's syndrome).
- •Behavioral changes, such as unusual activity and irritability (mainly in children).
- •Irregular or extra heartbeats (arrhythmias). Report to your doctor, but do not stop Seretide unless advised.
- •Fungal infection in the esophagus, which can cause difficulty swallowing.
- •Depression or aggression (more common in children).
- •Blurred vision.
- •Stomach pain, tiredness and loss of appetite, nausea, sickness and diarrhea, weight loss, headache and drowsiness, low blood sugar, low blood pressure, and seizures (symptoms related to adrenal insufficiency, which is a rare side effect).
Important Warnings
- Do not use Seretide if you are allergic to salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- This medicine is for preventing symptoms; do not use it to relieve sudden shortness of breath or wheezing. Always keep a fast-acting rescue inhaler (like salbutamol) with you for sudden attacks.
- Talk to your doctor before using Seretide if you have heart disease (like irregular or fast heartbeat), an overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, diabetes (as it may increase blood sugar), low blood potassium, or tuberculosis (Tbc) now or in the past, or any other lung infection.
- Contact your doctor immediately if your asthma worsens or your breathing becomes difficult. Do not increase your dose even if symptoms worsen, but seek medical advice.
- Long-term use of high doses can affect your body's steroid hormone production; consult your doctor or pharmacist if this applies to you.
Show 1 more warnings
- Take Seretide every day as prescribed and do not stop or reduce your dose suddenly without talking to your doctor, as this can worsen your breathing or lead to other serious health issues.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category A
Suitable for older adults. Potentiates sympathomimetic effects. May cause hypokalaemia. (updated 15.5.2023)