Seretide Evohaler 25mcg/250mcg Inhaler

Salmeterol and fluticasone is a combination inhaler used every day to help prevent asthma symptoms, and some strengths are also used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Salmeterol is a long-acting bronchodilator. It helps keep the airways open for at least 12 hours, making breathing easier.
• Fluticasone is a corticosteroid that reduces swelling and irritation in the lungs.

Together they help stop breathlessness and wheezing coming on. It is not a reliever and will not stop a sudden attack.

Use it every day exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, even when you feel well.

• Always carry your fast-acting reliever inhaler (such as salbutamol) for sudden symptoms.
• Ask to be shown how to use your inhaler, and have your technique checked from time to time. Use a spacer only if your doctor advises it for your device.
• Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out, or brush your teeth, after each dose to help prevent thrush and hoarseness.
• If you forget a dose, just take the next one at the usual time. Never take a double dose.
• Do not stop or lower the dose suddenly without your doctor's advice.
• Tell your doctor straight away if you need your reliever more often or your breathing gets worse.

Common side effects include:

• headache
• thrush in the mouth or throat, sore tongue, hoarse voice or throat irritation
• aching, swollen joints, muscle pain or cramps
• more colds, and in COPD, chest infections such as pneumonia

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• wheezing or breathing that gets worse straight after using it: use your reliever and contact a doctor
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, rash, or feeling faint
• fever, chills, more or discoloured phlegm, or increased cough (in COPD)
• a very fast or uneven heartbeat, or chest pain
• blurred vision or other eyesight changes

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you:

• have heart disease, an irregular or fast heartbeat, or high blood pressure
• have an overactive thyroid
• have diabetes (it may raise blood sugar) or low potassium
• have, or have had, tuberculosis (TB) or other lung infections
• take beta-blockers (such as atenolol or propranolol), steroid tablets or injections, water tablets, other bronchodilators, theophylline-type medicines, or ritonavir, cobicistat, ketoconazole, itraconazole or erythromycin

Keep out of the sight and reach of children and store as the leaflet for your inhaler says. Pressurised inhalers should be kept away from heat and direct sunlight, and the canister must never be pierced or burned, even when empty.

Steroid effects: high doses used for a long time can affect the body's own steroid hormones, bones and eyes, and may slow growth in children. Your doctor will aim for the lowest dose that works.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using it if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Driving: it is not expected to affect driving.