Seretide Accuhaler DPI

Generic Name: Fluticasone propionate, Salmeterol xinafoate
Product Name: Seretide Accuhaler DPI

Indication

Seretide accuhaler is used for maintenance treatment of asthma, a disease of the airways and lungs characterised by shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and cough. These are due to narrowing and inflammation of the airways.

In addition, Seretide accuhaler may be used for the symptomatic treatment of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a long-term condition of the lungs due to chronic bronchitis or emphysema, and characterised by shortness of breath, cough, chest pain and sputum production.

Action

• Seretide accuhaler contains two active medicines, fluticasone propionate and salmeterol xinafoate.
• Fluticasone propionate reduces the swelling and irritation of the lungs in COPD and asthma.
• Salmeterol xinafoate dilates the airways in the lungs to keep them open, allowing easier breathing.
• These effects can last up to 12 hours after the dose. When both are taken regularly as directed, there should be improvements in your breathing and fewer acute attacks.

Dose advice

Seretide Accuhaler comes in three different dosages:

• Seretide Accuhaler 100/50: DPI (dry powder inhaler) salmeterol 50mcg, with fluticasone 100mcg/dose, 60 doses.
• Seretide Accuhaler 250/50: DPI (dry powder inhaler) salmeterol 50mcg, with fluticasone 250mcg/dose, 60 doses.
• Seretide Accuhaler 500/50: DPI (dry powder inhaler) salmeterol 50mcg, with fluticasone 500mcg/dose 60 doses.

Recommended dose for adults (including children over 12 years) with asthma:

• 1 inhalation twice daily using one of the three formulations (50mcg Seretide accuhaler is only available via prescription from the doctor)

Your doctor will prescribe the most suitable dose for you.

Seretide is an ADEC Pregnancy Category B3 drug. It is important that you notify your doctor if you are planning to become or are currently pregnant or breastfeeding as your doctor may need to examine the risks and benefits of using this medication for you. It is also important that you notify your doctor if you have any health conditions.

• Inhale the dose at the same time each day to obtain the best effect, and to help you to remember.
• The usual dose is one inhalation twice daily.
• Keep in mind that this accuhaler will not give you relief in an acute attack. Do not use it for that purpose. You will need to use other medications for acute relief, such as a ventolin.
• After using Seretide accuhaler, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out.

Schedule

Schedule 4

Common side effects

All medicines have side effects. Some side effects can be serious, but the most common ones are mild. If you are concerned about any of these side effects, speak to your doctor. Common side effects occurring in more than 1% of patients prescribed Seretide accuhaler include:

• Hoarseness
• Headache
• Soreness of the throat or tongue
• Muscle cramps
• Increase in heart rate

Uncommon side effects

Uncommon side effects that occur in less than 1% of patients. Do not be alarmed by this list. A patient will not necessarily experience any of these:

• Allergic reactions
• Rounded face
• Loss of bone density
• Cataract, glaucoma
• Slowing of growth in children

Consult your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms, or any other unusual or abnormal symptoms.

References

1. Australian Medicines Handbook. Fluticasone. [Monograph online]AMH Pty Ltd 2007. [Cited December 24, 2007]. Available from: [URL Link]
2. Australian Medicines Handbook. Salmeterol. [Monograph online]AMH Pty Ltd 2007. [Cited December —, 2007]. Available from: [URL Link]
3. Seretide. MIMS Online. [Monograph online] MIMS Australia Pty Ltd 2007. [Cited December 24, 2007]. Available from: [URL Link]
4. Lazo, J, Gilman A, Brunton L, Parker K. Goodman & Gilman’s the pharmacological basis of therapeutics.11th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005

For further information talk to your doctor.