Seretide Evohaler (50mcg, 125mcg, 250mcg)

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

1. When using your inhaler for the first time, test that it is working. Remove the mouthpiece cover by
gently squeezing the sides with your thumb and forefinger and pull apart.

2. To make sure that it works, shake it well, point the mouthpiece away from you and press the
canister to release a puff into the air. Repeat these steps, shaking the inhaler before releasing each
puff, until the counter reads 120. If you have not used your inhaler for a week or more, release two
puffs of medicine into the air.

It is important to start to breathe as slowly as possible just before using your inhaler.

1. Stand or sit upright when using your inhaler.

2. Remove the mouthpiece cover (as shown in the first picture). Check inside and outside to make
sure that the mouthpiece is clean and free of loose objects.

3. Shake the inhaler 4 or 5 times to ensure that any loose objects are removed and that the contents of
the inhaler are evenly mixed.

4. Hold the inhaler upright with your thumb on the base, below the mouthpiece. Breathe out as far as
is comfortable.

5. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth. Close your lips around it. Do not bite.

6. Breathe in through your mouth slowly and deeply. Just after starting to breathe in, press firmly
down on the top of the canister to release a puff of medicine. Do this while still breathing in
steadily and deeply.

7. Hold your breath, take the inhaler from your mouth and your finger from the top of the inhaler.
Continue holding your breath for a few seconds, or as long as is comfortable.

8. Wait about half a minute between taking each puff of medicine and then repeat steps 3 to 7.

9. 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.

10. After use always replace the mouthpiece cover straight away to keep out dust. When the
mouthpiece cover is fitted correctly it will ‘click’ into position. If it does not ‘click’ into place,
turn the mouthpiece cover the other way round and try again. Do not use too much force.

You should always take your Seretide Evohaler as your doctor prescribes, and depending on whether your asthma is improving or worsening will determine the dose of Seretide Evohaler that your doctor or pharmacist prescribed to you.

Below are some standard usages from the Patient information Leaflet:

Use your Seretide every day until your doctor advises you to stop. Do not take more than the

recommended dose. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Do not stop taking Seretide or reduce the dose of Seretide without talking to your doctor first.

Seretide should be inhaled through the mouth into the lungs.

You may not be able to taste or feel the powder on your tongue, even if you have used the

Evohaler correctly.

For asthma

Adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over

• Seretide Evohaler 50/100 – One inhalation twice a day
• Seretide Evohaler 50/250 – One inhalation twice a day
• Seretide Evohaler 50/500 – One inhalation twice a day

Children 4 to 12 years of age

• Seretide Evohaler 50/100 – One inhalation twice a day
• Seretide is not recommended for use in children below 4 years of age.

Seretide is not recommended for use in children below 4 years of age.

As with all medication, there is a list of side effects from the Seretide Evohaler 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 Evohaler 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 Evohaler 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 Evohaler 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 know interactions between Seretide Evohaler 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 Evohaler 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 Evohaler online from registered prescribers such as e-Surgery. Always make sure you check for the green GPhC logo anytime you buy Seretide 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 Evohaler online it is genuine.

If you have any questions regarding the Seretide Evohaler , 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 Evohaler online with e-Surgery prices start from £39.95. This includes the cost of a private prescription.

e-Surgery uses Royal Mail delivery with choices starting from Royal Mail 48 tracked delivery, Royal Mail tracked 24 and Royal Mail 1pm special delivery (discover more about e-Surgery delivery).When you buy inhalers online they will arrive in discreet, recyclable packaging at a delivery address of your choice. Find out to recycle packaging from e-Surgery.

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When your Seretide Evohaler 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 Evohaler 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