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

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.

There is no known interactions between Seretide Accuhaler and food or Alcohol.

Some of the known interactions between Seretide Acuhaler and other medication are as follows:

• Beta blockers (such as atenolol, propranolol and sotalol). Beta blockers are mostly used for high blood
  pressure or other heart conditions.
• Medicines to treat infections (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole and erythromycin)
• HIV treatment (such as ritonavir, cobicistat containing products).
• Corticosteroids (by mouth or by injection).
• Diuretics, also known as ‘water tablets’ used to treat high blood pressure.
• Other bronchodilators (such as salbutamol).
• Xanthine medicines.

This list is not exhaustive, please consult the patient information leaflet for a more cohesive list,

If you have any concerns regarding any contraindications, please consult your GP or Prescriber

You would not be able to take Seretide Acuhaler if any of the following apply to you:

• You have a heart disease, including an irregular or fast heart beat
• Overactive thyroid gland
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes mellitus (Seretide may increase your blood sugar)
• Low potassium in your blood
• Tuberculosis (TB) now or in the past, or other lung infections

Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask
your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines:
Seretide is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use machines.

Yes, you can legally buy Seretide Acuhaler online from registered prescribers such as e-Surgery. Always make sure you check for the green GPhC logo anytime you buy Seretide Acuhaler online or other medicines. You can use the GPhC website to check if a pharmacy is registered. This ensures that when you buy the Seretide Acuhaler online it is genuine.

If you have any questions regarding the Seretide Acuhaler, and the Patient information leaflet does not answer your question, you can use our completely free Ask-A-Pharmacist service. Alternatively you can speak to your doctor or prescriber.

If you choose to buy your Seretide Acuhaler online with e-Surgery prices start from £29.95 This includes the cost of a private prescription.

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When your Seretide Acuhaler arrives, you would need to store it with the following in mind:

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton or on the label
  of your inhaler after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not store above 30C
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.
• You can take medicine you no longer use to your local pharmacy for correct disposal

The Seretide Acuhaler is a prescription only medication, therefore it is not available over the counter.

You doctor may prescribe you different inhalers for different reasons depending on your individual case of asthma, these types are Preventers and Relievers:

Preventers are taken daily to treat asthma itself, whilst Relievers are to be taken whilst you are struggling with your asthma,

See a list below of the different inhalers in each category