Serkep
Serkep contains two active substances, salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, which work together to open airways and reduce inflammation to help prevent asthma attacks and wheezing.
Form
inhalaatiosumute, suspensio
Strength
25 mikrog / 125 mikrog / annos
Active Ingredient
Salmeterol xinafoate
Manufacturer
Viatris Limited
How to Use
Dosage
For adults 18 years and older: Serkep 25/125 or Serkep 25/250 – 2 inhalations twice a day.
Method
Inhale Serkep through your mouth into your lungs.
Important
Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache that usually goes away as treatment continues.
- •Increased number of common colds in patients with COPD (a long-term lung disease).
- •Oral thrush (sore, yellowish spots) in the mouth and throat, pain in the tongue, hoarseness, and throat irritation. Rinsing your mouth with water after each dose may help.
- •Aching, swollen joints and muscle pain.
- •Muscle cramps.
- •Pneumonia and bronchitis (lung and airway inflammation). Tell your doctor if you have increased phlegm, changes in phlegm color, fever, chills, more cough, or worsened breathing difficulties (in COPD patients).
- •Bruises and bone fractures (in COPD patients).
- •Sinus inflammation (a feeling of pressure or blockage in the nose, cheeks, and behind the eyes, sometimes with a throbbing ache) (in COPD patients).
- •Decreased blood potassium levels (can cause irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, or cramps) (in COPD patients).
RARE
- •Stomach pain.
- •Tiredness, loss of appetite, feeling unwell.
- •Nausea and diarrhea.
- •Weight loss.
- •Headache and drowsiness.
- •Low blood sugar.
- •Low blood pressure and seizures.
- •Increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia). If you have diabetes, you may need to check your blood sugar more often or adjust your diabetes treatment.
- •Very fast heart rate (tachycardia).
- •Tremors and palpitations (feeling your heart beat fast or irregularly) – these are usually harmless and lessen with continued treatment.
- •Chest pain.
- •Restlessness or anxiety.
- •Sleep problems.
- •Allergic skin rash.
- •This medicine can affect your body's natural steroid hormone production (in the adrenal glands), especially with high doses over long periods. Effects can include: fragile bones, glaucoma (high eye pressure causing vision problems) or cataracts (clouding of the eye lens), weight gain, round face (Cushing's syndrome), and slowed growth in children and adolescents.
- •Behavioral changes, such as hyperactivity and irritability (mainly in children).
- •Irregular heart rhythm or extra heartbeats (arrhythmia). Tell your doctor, but do not stop using Serkep unless told to.
- •Fungal infection in the esophagus (food pipe), which can cause difficulty swallowing.
- •Depression or aggression. These effects are more likely in children.
- •Blurred vision.
Important Warnings
- Do not use Serkep if you are allergic to salmeterol, fluticasone, or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems (like an irregular heartbeat), an overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, diabetes (Serkep can raise blood sugar), low potassium levels, or a lung infection (like tuberculosis).
- Contact your doctor if your vision becomes blurry or you have other eye problems.
- This medicine is only for adults 18 years and older; it should not be used by children or teenagers under 18.
- Always tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, including asthma medicines and over-the-counter drugs, as Serkep may not mix well with some of them.
Show 2 more warnings
- If your asthma gets worse or breathing becomes harder, contact your doctor right away. Do not increase your Serkep dose; use your fast-acting reliever inhaler and seek medical help.
- Do not stop taking Serkep or lower your dose suddenly without talking to your doctor, as this can make your breathing problems worse or cause other health issues.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category A
Suitable for older adults. Potentiates sympathomimetic effects. May cause hypokalaemia. (updated 15.5.2023)