Serevent

What is Serevent?

Serevent is a branded treatment that uses the active ingredient salmeterol xinafoate to prevent asthma and COPD symptoms. It comes in two forms: the Evohaler and the Accuhaler. The Evohaler is a metered dose inhaler (MDI), which delivers the medication in a fine mist via a pressurised canister. The Accuhaler is a dry powder inhaler (DPI) which is activated by your breath.

Asthma is a lung condition that affects adults and children of all ages.^[1] It can be serious, so it’s important to control it with the right treatment. COPD is the name given to a group of conditions that affect your airways and make breathing difficult, including bronchitis and emphysema. It usually affects middle aged adults who smoke or are ex-smokers.^[3]

Serevent can help stop COPD and asthma symptoms getting in the way of your routines, providing relief from a tight chest and shortness of breath for around twelve hours.

How does Serevent work?

Serevent’s active ingredient is called Salmeterol, a bronchodilator that works by acting on beta-2 receptors.^[2]When these receptors are stimulated, the muscles in your airways relax and open, making it easier to breathe and reducing asthma or COPD symptoms. It can help to open your airways for 12 hours or more, which means you can get on with your life without worrying about symptoms.

What doses of Serevent are there?

Serevent comes in two formats. There’s the Accuhaler, which dispenses 50 micrograms of salmeterol per use, and the Evohaler, which dispenses 25 micrograms of salmeterol per use.

Both the Accuhaler and the Evohaler are limited to one dose, so if the treatment isn’t working for you, you should contact our clinicians to review your treatment. They can advise you on alternative treatments if these options aren’t working the way they should for you.

How to use Serevent

You use the Accuhaler and Evohaler in slightly different ways.

To use the Accuhaler:

• First, open the blister pack that contains the Serevent powder. There will be a countdown at the top of your inhaler which will indicate how many doses are left, so you never run out.
• To open the Accuhaler, you need to hold the device with both hands, one gripping the body, and the other placed on the thumb grip. Slide the grip to the side with your thumb until you hear a click, and a small hole in the mouthpiece becomes exposed.
• You will see a small lever. Push it to the side until you hear a click, and one dose of Serevent will be dispensed.
• Exhale as much as you can away from the device, and once you’re ready, put your lips on the mouthpiece. Inhale steadily and as much as possible. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds or until it becomes too uncomfortable to hold, and breathe out slowly.

To use the Evohaler:

• Remove the mouthpiece cover from your inhaler and shake it a few times to make sure that the substance is evenly mixed.
• Breathe out as much as possible, and when you’re ready place your lips around the mouthpiece.
• Breathe in through your mouth as much as possible, and start pressing the pressurised canister on top of the device as soon as you start breathing in. Press slowly and steadily at the same time as you breathe. Hold your breath for as long as it is comfortable.

How long does it take Serevent to work?

Severent is a long-acting bronchodilator (it helps your lungs airways stay open). You usually start feeling it working after 10-20 minutes, and it should last for at least 12 hours, if not more.

If you find that Serevent takes a particularly long time to work or doesn’t work for as long as 12 hours, it might mean that your dose needs adjusting. Speak to your prescriber if you feel like your dose of Serevent isn’t as effective as it could be, and they’ll take a look at your options.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Serevent?

Taking too much Serevent can cause dizziness, high blood pressure, tremors, a headache and tachycardia. If you think you’ve used your inhaler too many times and experience any of these symptoms, you should contact a clinician as soon as possible.