Action:

Long-acting brochodilator medications help to produce relaxation of the airway muscles for about 12 hours. A bronchodilator is a medicine that relaxes the airway muscles to allow easier breathing. It is classified as a long-term control medication.

How to Take:

• Diskus inhaler

Possible Side Effects:

• Headache, shakiness, nervousness, and fast heart rate.

Comments:

• Usually given in the morning and in the evening. (approximately 12 hours apart) Should not be used more often than twice a day.
• It will not give you immediate relief during an asthma episode.
• Albuterol or a short acting bronchodilator may be used for immediate relief during an asthma episode.
• If your child needs to use albuterol more than once a day, notify your physician.

Please Note:

• Your physician has carefully chosen this medication for your asthma therapy.
• The package insert notes an increased risk of death from asthma complications when this medication is taken alone for asthma control.
• While on this medication, asthma episodes may be more severe when they occur.
• To ensure safety with salmeterol and all asthma medications we strongly recommend the following.

  Do not use sameterol to treat acute asthma symtoms. It is not a rescue medication.
  Do not use this medication by itself as an asthma controller medication.
  Do not stop any asthma medication without consulting your physician.

Common Name:

• Serevent
• Advair (combination Flovent and Serevent)
• Salmeterol