Seretide Accuhaler (100mcg, 250mcg, 500mcg)

The Seretide Acuhaler is a preventer inhaler, the medicine is considered a bronchodilator, which means it is designed to keep your airways open for an estimated 12 hours,

Seretide Acuhaler is not a reliever inhaler, (one designed to help with immediate symptoms of asthma and provide instant relief).

Seretide Accuhaler contains the two active ingredients, Salmeterol and Fluticasone.

When you require a dose of your Seretide Acuhaler you should follow the information on the patient information leaflet:

1. To open your Accuhaler, hold the outer case in one hand and put the thumb of your other hand on
the thumbgrip. Push your thumb away from you as far as it will go. You will hear a click. This
will open a small hole in the mouthpiece.

2. Hold your Accuhaler with the mouthpiece towards you. You can hold it in either your right or left
hand. Slide the lever away from you as far as it will go. You will hear a click. This places a dose
of your medicine in the mouthpiece.
(Every time the lever is pulled back a blister is opened inside and the powder made ready for you to
inhale. Do not play with the lever as this opens the blisters and wastes medicine.)

3. Hold the Accuhaler away from your mouth, breathe out as far as is comfortable. Do not breathe
into your Accuhaler.

4. Put the mouthpiece to your lips; breathe in steadily and deeply through the Accuhaler, not through
your nose.
Remove the Accuhaler from your mouth.
Hold your breath for about 10 seconds or for as long as is comfortable.
Breathe out slowly.

5. Afterwards, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out, and/or brush your teeth. This may help to
stop you getting thrush and becoming hoarse.

6. To close the Accuhaler, slide the thumbgrip back towards you, as far as it will go. You will hear a
click.

The lever will return to its original position and is reset. Your Accuhaler is now ready for you to use again.

As with all medication, there is a list of side effects from the Seretide Acuhaler you should be aware of, please be advised this is not an exhaustive list, and for a more comprehensive list, please check the patient information leaflet

Some of the very common Seretide Acuhaler side effects are as follows:

• Headache – this usually gets better as treatment continues.
• Increased number of colds have been reported in patients with COPD.

Common side effects include:

• Thrush (sore, creamy-yellow, raised patches) in the mouth and throat. Also sore tongue and hoarse
  voice and throat irritation. Rinsing your mouth out with water and spitting it out immediately
  and/or brushing your teeth after taking each dose of your medicine may help. Your doctor may prescribe an anti-fungal medication to treat the thrush.
• Aching, swollen joints and muscle pain.
• Muscle cramps.

The uncommon side effects from using your Seretide Acuhaler are:

• Increases in the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood (hyperglycaemia). If you have diabetes,
  more frequent blood sugar monitoring and possibly adjustment of your usual diabetic treatment
  may be required.
• Cataract
• Very fast heart beat (tachycardia).
• Feeling shaky (tremor) and fast or uneven heart beat (palpitations) – these are usually harmless and
  get less as treatment continues.
• Chest pain.
• Feeling worried (this effect mainly occurs in children).
• Disturbed sleep.
• Allergic skin rash

Rare side effects of taking your Seretide Acuhaler include:

Breathing difficulties or wheezing that get worse straight after taking Seretide.

Seretide may affect the normal production of steroid hormones in the body, particularly if you
have taken high doses for long periods of time. The effects include:
− Slowing of growth in children and adolescents
− Thinning of the bones
− Glaucoma
− Weight gain
− Rounded (moon shaped) face (Cushing’s Syndrome)

Your doctor will check you regularly for any of these side effects and make sure you are taking
the lowest dose of Seretide to control your asthma.

• Behavioural changes, such as being unusually active and irritable (these effects mainly occur in
  children).
• Uneven heart beat or heart gives an extra beat (arrhythmias). Tell your doctor, but do not stop
  taking Seretide unless the doctor tells you to stop.
• A fungal infection in the oesophagus (gullet), which might cause difficulties in swallowing.