Salmeterol Xinafoate (sal-ME-te-role zin-a-FOE-ate)

Prevents asthma attacks and treats other lung problems such as chronic bronchitis.

Brand Name(s):

Serevent Diskus

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Disk

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.
• Serevent Diskus® is a powder that is used with its own special inhaler device. Individually measured doses of the powder are held in a foil blister package that is placed into the Diskus®. The Diskus® pierces each blister one at a time to load the correct dose into the chamber when you are ready to use the medicine. Do not use the Diskus® with a spacer.
• Keep the Diskus® inhaler closed when you are not using it. Keep the inhaler dry at all times. Do not blow into it.
• Before inhaling your dose, breathe out fully, trying to get as much air out of the lungs as possible. Hold the Diskus® level and away from your mouth.
• Open your mouth and breathe in quickly and deeply through the Diskus®. Do not breathe in through your nose.
• Remove the Diskus® from your mouth. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds or as long as possible, then breathe out slowly.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Keep the medicine in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using any blood pressure medicines or diuretics ("water pills") or if you have used medicine for depression such as amitriptyline or an MAO inhibitor (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®) within the past 2 weeks.
• This medicine should not be used together with similar inhaled medicines such as salmeterol/fluticasone (Advair®) or formoterol (Foradil®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a heart problem, high blood pressure, diabetes, liver problem, thyroid disease, or seizures.
• If you use any type of corticosteroid medicine to control your asthma, keep using it as ordered by your doctor. This includes corticosteroid medicines that are taken by mouth or inhaled (such as cortisone, prednisone, Azmacort®, Celestone®, Cortone®, Deltasone®, Flovent®, Prelone® Pediapred®, Vanceril®).
• This should not be the first and only medicine you use for asthma. This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an acute asthma attack. If the other medicine does not work as well, or if you have used more than 4 puffs daily for 2 days in a row, tell your doctor right away.
• If any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Chest pain.
• Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.
• Increased asthma attacks or other breathing problems.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Seizures or tremors.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Cough, fever, chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose.
• Headache.
• Nausea, vomiting, or upset stomach.
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet.