This belongs to the group of medicines known as bronchodilators.

Serevent can be used to treat asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung-related problems.

Bronchodilators work by opening up the air passages in the lungs so that air can flow into the lungs more freely. In doing so they help to relieve symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Serevent is available in aerosol and inhalation powder form.

It is also sometimes known as: Serevent. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Why is this drug prescribed?

Serevent evohalers, diskhalers and accuhalers all contain the active ingredient salmeterol, which is a type of drug called a long-acting beta 2 agonist. Salmeterol works by acting on receptors in the lungs called beta 2 receptors. When salmeterol stimulates these receptors it causes the muscles in the airways to relax. This allows the airways to open. In conditions where there is narrowing of the airways, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it is difficult for air to get in and out of the lungs. By opening the airways, salmeterol makes it easier to breathe. Salmeterol doesn't open the airways as quickly as short-acting beta 2 agonists such as salbutamol or terbutaline, however, it does keep the airways open for much longer. The effects of salmeterol last for about 12 hours, whereas those of salbutamol or terbutaline last for about 3 to 5 hours. This means salmeterol is used to prevent asthma attacks, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath, rather than to relieve them. In people whose asthma or airways disease is not controlled with short-acting bronchodilators and regular inhaled anti-inflammatories, such as corticosteroids, salmeterol is used as an additional regular inhaler to help keep the airways open. It is particularly useful for preventing shortness of breath caused by exercise, and for taking before bed to prevent shortness of breath that is worse at night. Salmeterol is taken using an inhaler device. Inhaling the drug allows it to act directly in the lungs where it is needed most. It also reduces the potential for side effects in other parts of the body, as the amount absorbed into the blood through the lungs is lower than if it were taken by mouth. Serevent is available as three different types of inhaler device; the standard metered dose inhaler, which is now CFC-free and known as the evohaler, the breath-actuated accuhaler, and the diskhaler. The evohaler is used by inhaling through the mouthpiece at the same time as pushing down the canister. Some people may find this hard to coordinate and the accuhaler or diskhaler may be easier for these people to use. You can ask your pharmacist, asthma nurse or doctor to check your inhaler technique to make sure you are using your inhaler device correctly.

Treatments

* Asthma * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Shaking, usually of the hands * Awareness of your heart beat * Headache * Faster than normal heart beat * Abnormal heart beats * Low blood potassium level * Difficulty in sleeping * Nausea * Muscle cramps * Unexpected narrowing of the airways * Dizziness * Nervousness * Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue * Chest pain * Irritation of the back of the mouth and throat