Drugs & Vitamins

Salmeterol Powder Inhalation Active Ingredients: Salmeterol Powder Inhalation Representative Names: Servent Diskus Available Product Images: What is salmeterol inhalation powder? What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? How should I use this medicine? What if I miss a dose? What drug(s) may interact with salmeterol? What side effects may I notice from using salmeterol? What should I watch for while taking salmeterol? Where can I keep my medicine? What is salmeterol inhalation powder? (Back to top) SALMETEROL (Serevent® Diskus®) is a slow-acting bronchodilator, a medicine that opens up air passages and makes breathing easier. Salmeterol is for regular use to help prevent asthma attacks or to treat the symptoms of chronic lung disease like emphysema or chronic bronchitis. It is not for use in an acute asthma attack. It can also be used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, at least 30 to 60 minutes before exercise is started. Because salmeterol would take too long to work, you must have a quick-acting bronchodilator (such as albuterol) readily available for use in an asthma attack. Salmeterol can be used along with inhaled or oral corticosteroids. If you are on these other medications, you should continue to take them as directed by your health care professional. A generic salmeterol inhalation powder is not yet available. What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top) They need to know if you have any of the following conditions: •worsening asthma •diabetes •heart disease, or irregular heartbeat •high blood pressure •over active thyroid •pheochromocytoma •seizures (convulsions) •an unusual or allergic reaction to salmeterol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives •pregnant or trying to get pregnant •breast-feeding How should I use this medicine? (Back to top) DO NOT use salmeterol for an asthma attack. If you have severe onset or worsening of cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and/or shortness of breath seek immediate medical attention. Always keep a short-acting asthma medication such as albuterol on hand for asthma attacks. Salmeterol inhalation powder is for regular inhalation through the mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Open and prepare mouthpiece of the diskus device and slide device lever to activate the first dose (see package instructions). Do not advance the lever more than once at any one time as this will release further doses that will be wasted. Holding the diskus mouthpiece level to, but away from, the mouth, breathe out as much air as is comfortable. Do not breathe into the mouthpiece! Next, place the device mouthpiece loosely between your open lips and over your tongue, keeping the device level with your mouth. Slowly breathe the dose in. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds and then exhale (breathe out). After use, close the diskus device as directed. This will also reset the dose dispensing lever for your next scheduled dose. Do not use more than one puff at a time. Use your inhaler at regular intervals. Do not use more often than directed. If you are taking this medicine for the prevention of exercise induced asthma only, follow the directions of your health care professional. You will take 1 inhalation 30—60 minutes before you start to exercise. Additional salmeterol doses should not be used within 12 hours after administering this dose. Do not use more often than directed. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. Children of ages 4 and up have used salmeterol for the treatment of asthma. What if I miss a dose? (Back to top) If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses. What drug(s) may interact with salmeterol? (Back to top) •arsenic trioxide •astemizole •bepridil •beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems •caffeine •certain antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, linezolid, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin) •chloroquine •cisapride •droperidol •halofantrine •levomethadyl •medicines for colds and breathing difficulties •medicines for high blood pressure •medicines known as MAO inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), and selegiline (Carbex®, Eldepryl®) •medicines to control heart rhythm (examples: amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol) •medicines for treating depression or mental illness (amoxapine, haloperidol, maprotiline, pimozide, phenothiazines, risperidone, sertindole, tricyclic antidepressants, ziprasidone) •methadone •pentamidine •probucol •some medicines for weight loss (including some herbal products, ephedra, ephedrine, dextroamphetamine) •steroid hormones such as dexamethasone, cortisone, hydrocortisone •terfenadine •theophylline •thyroid hormones •water pills or diuretics Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before starting or stopping any of your medicines. What side effects may I notice from using salmeterol? (Back to top) Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: •difficulty breathing, wheezing •dizziness, giddiness •fast heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain •skin rash, hives •swelling of the face Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): •cough •diarrhea •headache •muscle cramps and pains •nausea, vomiting •nervousness •sore throat •stomach ache •stuffy nose •tiredness What should I watch for while taking salmeterol? (Back to top) Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve with salmeterol inhalation. If your symptoms get worse, contact your prescriber or health care professional immediately. If you find that you are using your short-acting inhalers (such as albuterol) more than normal or they are not as effective in treating your symptoms, you should contact your health care professional as soon as possible. You may need a change of therapy or may be having an increase in your asthma. Do not use extra or more frequent salmeterol inhalations; they will not improve your condition. Keep a record of the number of inhalations you use. Your diskus device has a dose counter and will tell you when only a few doses are left. The device will have red lettering for doses 0—5 to remind you that your prescription is almost out. It is recommended that you keep an extra refill of your inhalers on hand in case you need them. To stop your mouth getting dry after inhaling salmeterol, rinse out your mouth with water. Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without checking with your pharmacist or prescriber or health care professional. Non-prescription medicines may contain ingredients that will increase the effects of your medicine. If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are using salmeterol. The diskus device should never be washed. You will need to keep it dry. To avoid the spread of infection, the diskus device should not be used by more than one person. Once all the device doses have been completed, throw the device away. It cannot be refilled or re-used. You will need a brand-new device each time you refill your prescription. Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top) Keep out of the reach of children. Store at controlled room temperature at 20—25 degrees C (68—77 degrees F); do not freeze. Protect from light and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. When you open up your new diskus package, it will expire 6 weeks from the date it is opened. On the diskus device there is a "USE BY" label. Write the date that your device will expire on the label when you open it. Last Updated:11/28/2005 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY© GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.