Seretide 500/50 Accuhaler (Glaxo UK)

Seretide general information

What is Seretide used for?

Seretide Accuhaler 500/50 (also known as Advair Diskus) is a combination “preventer” medication for treating reversible obstructive airways disease, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This combination therapy is used for long-term asthma management in people (adults and children) who are:

• already using a corticosteroid and a bronchodilator
• using an inhaled corticosteroid to treat asthma but are still having symptoms
• using a short-acting beta-agonist (bronchodilator), as needed, to treat symptoms of asthma, as an alternative to starting on higher doses of corticosteroid.

Seretide Accuhaler 500/50 does not contain a high enough dose of the corticosteroid medication for severe asthma and should not be used as a “reliever” for asthma attack. Seretide Accuhaler 500/50 is also used to treat moderate to severe COPD who are using a beta-agonist (bronchodilator) but are still having symptoms. The combination of medications in Seretide Accuhaler 500/50 work together to provide better control of asthma to protect against symptoms, prevent exacerbations of asthma or COPD and improve lung function.

How does Seretide work?

Seretide Accuhaler 500/50 contains a combination of two medications that work by different mechanisms of action to control reversible obstructive airways disease in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fluticasone propionate is a corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory medication that blocks Inflammation, one of the underlying causes of asthma, by inhibiting the production of inflammatory chemicals released in the airways in response to asthma trigger, such as an allergens or irritants in the air. This reduces inflammation and swelling of the airways. Salmeterol xinafoate is a long-acting beta2-agonist and bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles of the small airways of the lungs (bronchioles) to widen the airways. This reduces bronchospasm (constriction or the airways) relieving symptoms of asthma such as tightness of the chest, wheezing and shortness of breath and provides relief for up to 12 hours. Fluticasone and salmeterol work together to improve lung function, and to reduce symptoms and exacerbations of asthma.

What does Seretide contain?

Seretide Accuhaler 500/50 is a moulded plastic device with a foil strip with 60 blisters (or pockets) that contain the active ingredients fluticasone propionate (500mcg), a corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory, used as an asthma prevention medication; and salmeterol xinafoate (50mcg), a long-acting bronchodilator that relieves bronchospasm, together as a dry inhalation powder. It also contains lactose (which contains milk protein). Each blister delivers 100/50mcg per acutation into your lungs when you inhale and one accuhaler contains at least 60 actuations.

What Seretide inhalers are available?

Seretide is available online from Inhouse pharmacy in the following doses and delivery mechanisms:
Seretide Metered dose inhaler which delivers 120 actuations (inhalations) of Seretide (fluticasone / salmeterol) as an aerosol:

• 50/25 mcg
• 125/25mcg
• 250/25mcg

Seretide accuhaler which delivers 60 actuations (inhalations) as a dry powder:

• 100/50mcg
• 250/50mcg
• 500/50mcg

Treating asthma with Seretide

Seretide Accuhaler 500/50 contains a combination of fluticasone propionate, a corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory medication that blocks Inflammation, one of the underlying causes of asthma; and salmeterol xinafoate, a long-acting bronchodilator that relieves bronchospasm (constriction or narrowing of the bronchioles or small airways) and widens the airways to allow air to flow more easily into the lungs. Seretide Accuhaler 500/50 is used as an asthma prevention medication and the two medication works together to improve lung function, and to reduce exacerbations of asthma and symptoms like tightness of the chest, wheezing and shortness of breath. Seretide Accuhaler 500/50 should not be used as a “reliever” or “rescue” medication if you are having an asthma attack.

Should you use Seretide with other asthma inhalers?

Seretide accuhaler is used as a long-term “preventer” medication to reduce inflammation and swelling of the airways of the lung, and reduce bronchospasm (constriction or narrowing of the bronchioles or small airways) as part of an asthma management plan to reduce symptoms and exacerbations of asthma, and to improve lung function. You may also be prescribed a short-acting bronchodilator for relief of bronchospasm during an asthma attack, to be used as needed. Both are intended to be taken together, only if recommended by your doctor.

What are the side effects of Seretide?

The most commonly reported side effects when using Seretide Accuhaler 500/50 due to the fluticasone componenent include, a sore throat or tongue, which may be due to candida infection (thrush), hoarseness or throat irritation and contusion in the skin (bruising). Side effects due to the salmeterol componenent include, headache, tachycardia (rapid heart beat), tremor (shaky or tense feeling), palpitations, mouth or throat irritation and muscle cramps. Pneumonia was reported in studies of patients with COPD

When should Seretide not be used?

You should not use Seretide Accuhaler 500/50 if you:

• are allergic to salmeterol or fluticasone any of the other ingredients in your Seretide Accuhaler
• are pregnant or breast feeding, without discussion with your doctor
• are a diabetic, without discussion with your doctor, as the fluticasone in Seretide accuhaler may increase your glucose levels
• have tuberculosis of the lung or other long term lung infection
• are taking other medications that may interact with Seretide accuhaler, including ritonavir for HIV infection, ketoconazole for fungal infection, or beta-blockers like propranolol

What are the health risks of Seretide?

Long term use of Seretide accuhaler may cause the adrenal glands, which produce endogenous (naturally occurring) corticosteroids, to stop working efficiently. This may slow down the growth rate in children and will need regular monitoring. Seretide accuhaler may also cause decreased bone mineral density if used for long periods.

What is paradoxical bronchospasm?

All inhaled asthma medications can cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which is when the inhaled medication taken to relieve or prevent bronchospasm actually makes it worse, causing wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness of the chest. If this happens you should inform your doctor and take their advice.

How should Seretide be taken?

You should use your Seretide inhaler 500/50 according to the instructions provided. The dose of Seretide accuhaler 500/50 you use (number of inhalations) and how often take it depends on the severity of your asthma and your age and should be as recommended by your doctor. You will usually take one inhalation twice a day, morning and evening. Seretide accuhaler 500/50 does not work immediately, but is intended as a long-term medication which may take up to a week to start to work and it may take several weeks before you feel maximum benefit. You should not stop taking your Seretide accuhaler, even if you feel better.

How to use your Seretide accuhaler

Follow the instructions provided for using your Seretide Accuhaler:

1. Push open the outer case with your thumb and slide the lever until it clicks to release a dose of salmeterol and fluticasone.
2. Breathe out as far as is comfortable and then place the mouthpiece in your mouth and inhale through your mouth until your lungs are full.
3. Hold your breath for a few seconds, then breathe normally. Never breathe into your Accuhaler and only slide the lever when you are ready to take a dose. The dose counter will indicate how many doses you have left in you accuhaler.
4. Close the outer case.
5. Rinse your mouth after use.

How many puffs to take from your Serevent accuhaler?

How many puffs (inhalations) you take from your Seretide accuhaler 500/50 and how often depends on the severity of your asthma and your age, and should be as recommended by your doctor. You will usually take one inhalation twice a day, morning and evening. Seretide accuhaler 500/50 delivers exactly one dose per actuation (inhalation).

How long should you take Seretide?

You should use for Seretide accuhaler 500/50 continually for as long as recommended by your doctor. You should not stop taking your Seretide accuhaler, even if you feel better.

Missed dose of Seretide

If you miss a dose of Seretide accuhaler 500/50 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Seretide be stored?

Your Seretide accuhaler 500/50 should be stored below 30°C, and keep away from direct sunlight. Keep it closed when not in use