Seretide inhaler: Can it help with asthma?

A condition that affected the lungs is known as asthma.

Wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath are its symptoms. Inflammation and bronchoconstriction are the two main causes of such symptoms. A long-term condition known as COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects the lungs. It results from emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Cough, coughing up phlegm, chest discomfort and shortness of breath are its symptoms. The symptoms of COPD are mainly because of inflammation and bronchoconstriction.

 

Seretide inhaler uses

 The Seretide inhaler is used to aid with asthma and COPD in people who require regular treatment. You should not use this drug for treating any sudden breathlessness attack as it will not help you. You will require a different type of drug for example salbutamol and you should not confuse it with this drug.

 

How effective is this drug?

It contains two active ingredients. These are a corticosteroid known as fluticasone propionate and a bronchodilator known as salmeterol xinafoate. Corticosteroids are basically hormones that the adrenal glands naturally produce. These hormones perform various vital functions such as controlling inflammatory responses. On the other hand, fluticasone is known to be a man-made derivative of natural hormones. It is used for lowering lung inflammation. Corticosteroids are often called steroids. But they are not similar to anabolic steroids that a few athletes or bodybuilders abuse.

If you breathe in fluticasone, it will get absorbed into the cells of your lungs and the airways. It will stop these cells to release chemicals that usually cause allergic and immune responses that result in inflammation. By stopping such chemicals from getting released, fluticasone lowers lung inflammation that tightens all airways and makes it challenging for air to go in and come out. If you use it regularly, fluticasone will aid in preventing asthma attacks and breathing shortness.

Salmeterol is a type of drug that is known as a long-acting beta 2 agonist. It will work and relax the muscles in your airways and allow them to open thus making it easier for you to breathe. It will not open the airways as fast as short-acting beta 2 agonists like salbutamol. But it will keep the airways open for a longer time. Its effects will last for almost 12 hours whereas that of salbutamol lasts for only 3-5 hours. It means this drug is used for preventing asthma attacks, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing instead of relieving them.

 

How should you use it?

Follow all instructions: You need to use this inhaler on a regular basis daily. Your doctor will recommend using it two times a day. But sometimes he may lower it to one time daily if your asthma is properly controlled. You must always follow every instruction that your doctor gives you regarding when you use it and how many inhalations you must use every day.

Do not quit using it suddenly: You should not suddenly stop using it, even if you do not presently have breathing problems. If your doctor asks you then only you should quit using it. If you stop the treatment, it will likely increase your breathing problems again.

Use it properly: It is very crucial to be aware of how to use it properly. If you do not do it, you will not be breathing the right dosage of this drug into your lungs. You will find instructions available with the inhaler. If you have any queries, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to properly use it and check if you are correctly using it.

Use water to rinse your mouth after each use: You must rinse your mouth using water every time you use this inhaler. It will reduce the risk of developing any fungal infection in your mouth. It is called oral thrush. It is sometimes associated with inhaled corticosteroids. Get in touch with your doctor if you develop any white patches in your throat or mouth as these are thrush symptoms.

Do not miss any dosage: If you do not remember to use a dosage at your scheduled time, use it as soon as you remember about it. Skip it if it is almost time to take your next dosage. Continue using your normal dosage. You should not use a double dosage to make up for any missed dosage.

 

Is it safe to use this inhaler?

Do not use it if:

• If you have any allergy to the ingredients of this drug.
• The symptoms of an allergic reaction are breathing difficulty, wheezing, swollen face, lips, eyelids, mouth, throat, tongue, chest tightness or pain, and fainting.
• You need to be alert and check all ingredients of this drug to ensure you can use it.
• If the drug has expired you should not use it and dispose of it properly.

 

Consult with your doctor if:

• You have an allergy to other foods, drugs, preservatives, or any dyes.
• You have other medical conditions such as thrush in the mouth, diabetes, tuberculosis, high blood pressure, heart issues, and a thyroid condition.
• You are using other steroid drugs by inhalation or mouth.
• You are using any drugs for other conditions.

 

If you are using other drugs:

• Inform your doctor if you are using other drugs, such as any vitamins or supplements that you bought without a prescription from your local pharmacist or any supermarket.
• There are a few drugs that may interfere with this inhaler and affect how it works. These are beta-blockers used for treating hypertension, ritonavir which treats HIV infection, and ketoconazole which treats fungal infection. These drugs may get affected by the Seretide inhaler or may affect how well it works. You may require different amounts of your drugs or you require to use different drugs.

 

What you should know while using a Seretide inhaler?

 

Things you should do:

• If you are using it, inform your doctor, pharmacist, or dentist whom you visit.
• If you are about to have surgery, you must inform your surgeon that you are using this drug.
• Your doctor must know if you are pregnant or trying to become one.
• If you need to get some blood tests done, inform your doctor if you are using a Seretide inhaler. If you face any vision change, tell your doctor immediately.
• Keep in mind every appointment of your doctor, so that your progress is checked.

 

Things you should not do:

• You should not quit using this drug suddenly. Do not change the dose of it without asking your doctor.
• It will not impact your ability to drive a car or operate any machine. But you must be careful while driving or operating any machine until you are aware of how this drug affects you.
• Always keep it in a place that is dry and has a temperature under 30 degrees Celsius. You should keep it away from any direct sunlight or heat.
• You need to put it somewhere away from your children. They should not touch it.

 

Few final words

Your doctor chose this drug to suit you and the condition you are suffering from. The Seretide inhaler will help with asthma and COPD if you require regular treatment. Remember to use it daily two times. It will help you to relieve symptoms throughout the day and night. If you take it at the same time daily you will see the best effect. It will aid you in remembering when to use it. It does not matter if you use it before or after having your meal. You must remember that it will aid in controlling your condition but will not cure it. So keep on using it even if you feel better.