Seretide Evohaler & Accuhaler

The seretide evohaler is a purple inhaler containing two ingredients - salmeterol and fluticasone propionate - which prevent asthma attacks and symptoms.

Salmeterol

Salmeterol is often referred to as a bronchodilator, because it dilates your airways. It is a long-acting medicine and its effect lasts for approximately twelve hours. It is used to prevent asthma and is not suitable as a treatment for severe persistent asthma symptoms.

Fluticasone propionate

Fluticasone belongs to a group of medicines called inhaled corticosteroids. It relieves asthma by reducing the swelling in your airways and the irritation in your lungs. Fluticasone propionate is also used to treat allergic rhinitis (nasal congestion caused by an allergic reaction).

In combination, the two ingredients in your Seretide inhaler are very effective at the control of asthma - at preventing asthma symptoms and dangerous asthma attacks.

In order to work, Seretide has to be used on a daily basis.

Please note - The purple inhaler does not help control acute symptoms, so you need to keep a blue reliever inhaler at hand in case you experience an attack.

The Seretide evohaler is a standard inhaler designed for patients with moderate asthma. When used regularly, it can ease asthma symptoms, and help prevent an asthma attack.

Seretide is licensed for adults and children aged 4 and over (Seretide 50 Evohaler and Seretide 100 Accuhaler only), and the higher strengths for ages 12 and over. It's available in various fluticasone propionate doses, and how much you take will depend on how bad your breathing is.

You will have been shown how to use inhaler properly by your nurse or doctor. Not using it correctly can result in severe asthma exacerbation.

• Stand or sit upright when using your inhaler. Remove the mouthpiece cover and check inside to ensure it's clean. Shake the inhaler 4-5 times.
• Hold the inhaler upright with your thumb on the base and fingers on the top of the canister – your hand should make a C shape. Breathe out as far as is comfortable and place the mouthpiece in your mouth, between your teeth. Close your lips around it and don't bite.
• Breathe in through your mouth - just after you start to breathe in, press down on the top of the canister to release a puff of medicine. Continue breathing in steadily and deeply. Hold your breath for as long as is comfortable.
• Wait 30 seconds and repeat to take another puff. Replace the mouthpiece cover after use.

You can request to buy Seretide online from Pharmacy Online, our UK registered online pharmacy and prescriber service. After completing your assessment and checking out, your order will be passed to our UK registered prescriber for review. If approved, our pharmacy team will dispense and dispatch your medication to your chosen address.

Seretide, in the UK, is a prescription-only medicine that cannot be bought over the counter. However, you can request to buy Seretide online from registered online pharmacies, like PharmacyOnline.co.uk

You will need to complete an online questionnaire for our prescriber to assess. This makes sure that it is safe and suitable for you to use.

Always use your inhaler as prescribed by your doctor. Follow these simple steps to ensure your inhalation is successful:

• Open the Seretide inhaler and hold its outer case in one hand. Use the thumb of your other hand to push the thumb grip as far away from you as you can to open a small hole in the mouthpiece. You will hear a clicking noise.
• Hold the inhaler with the mouthpiece pointing towards you and slide the lever as far back as possible. You will hear a click as one dose of the spray enters the mouthpiece.
• Hold the Seretide accuhaler away from you and breathe out as far as you can comfortably do so. Make sure you do not breathe into your accuhaler.
• Take the mouthpiece between your lips and breathe in through your mouth. Take a steady and deep breath. Hold your breath for ten seconds after breathing in (or as long as comfortable), then breathe out slowly.
• Rinse your mouth with plenty of water and spit it out - this helps reduce side effects such as a hoarse voice and oral thrush.
  Slide the thumb-grip back towards you to close the accuhaler. You will hear a click.

Your doctor will advise you on how often you need to use your Seretide inhaler.

You should inhale your medication in the morning and the evening, ideally at the same time every day.

If your symptoms improve, your doctor may recommend that you reduce the dosage to once a day.

Do not change the frequency of inhalations without your doctor’s recommendation. If your symptoms get worse you need to speak to your doctor who will check whether your medication needs to be adjusted.

If you forget to take a dose just continue your treatment taking the next dose at the correct time. Do not take a double dose to compensate for the one you have missed.

No, Seretide Evohaler is not licensed for COPD. Only the Seretide 500 Accuhaler is licensed for COPD, in adults whose lung function (FEV1) is below 60% of normal, who have had repeated flare-ups and still have significant symptoms despite regular bronchodilator treatment.

Yes, Seretide evohaler is referred to as a preventer inhaler, and when used regularly, helps prevent symptoms of asthma.

However, it is not a reliever, and therefore is should not be used in the treatment of acute asthmatic symptoms. You should have a reliever inhaler, e.g. salbutamol, for optimal asthma control.

Inhaled corticosteroid therapy helps prevent asthma symptoms in adult and adolescent subjects. It works by reducing the swelling and irritation in the airways, allowing easier breathing.