What is Serevent?
Serevent is a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) inhaler used to manage and control the symptoms of COPD. It helps improve airflow in your lungs, reduce flare-ups, and lessen your need for rescue medications like albuterol.[1]
It’s used as part of a long-term therapy to manage symptoms, not to relieve sudden breathing problems like reliever inhalers do.
How does Serevent work for COPD?
Serevent works by targeting beta-2 receptors in your lungs. These are part of the muscles that line your airways. When salmeterol (the active ingredient in Serevent) binds to them, it helps those muscles relax. This then opens up the airways so you can breathe more easily.[2]
It also works to reduce inflammation in your lungs by dampening the release of chemicals like histamine and leukotrienes from your mast cells.[3] This helps air flow better through your lungs, which means fewer symptoms and longer periods of time between flare ups.
Will I get side effects using Serevent?
Like any inhaler, Serevent can cause side effects. The most common are:
- Headache
- Throat irritation
- Tremor
- Muscle pain
- Nausea or dizziness
Some people may also get oral thrush (a fungal infection in the mouth). Rinsing your mouth after using your inhaler can help to prevent this.[4]
There is a chance of some more rare but serious side effects, like heart palpitations or allergic reactions. Let your doctor know if anything feels off, especially when you first start using it.
What doses of Serevent are there?
Serevent comes in a single standard dose of 50 micrograms of salmeterol per inhalation.
You’ll usually take one dose every 12 hours using the Accuhaler (also called Diskus) device.
Treated trusted source:
- Jarvis, B. and Markham, A. (2001). Inhaled Salmeterol. Drugs & Aging, 18(6), pp.441–472.
- Adams, B.S. and Nguyen, H. (2023). Salmeterol. PubMed.
- Dalal, A., Yawn, B., Raphiou and Hurley (2010). The role of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination therapy in preventing exacerbations of COPD. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, p.165.
- www.accessdata.fda.gov. (n.d.). Enforcement Reports.
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