Mr. Asthma » Bronchial Asthma » Serevent
Serevent
Question:
Has anyone experienced severe joint and muscle pain after being on Serevent for a couple of months. Or has anyone experienced muscle jerking after treatment of Serevent. I need to know if anyone has had these symptoms so I can get my mother off potent pain medication. All here pain went away when hospitalized and they quit giving her Serevent. But she had to resume to breathe. Now her Dr. does not think Serevent had anything to do with it. Any suggestions?
Response:
> Has anyone experienced severe joint and muscle pain after being on Serevent > for a couple of months. Or has anyone experienced muscle jerking after > treatment of Serevent. I need to know if anyone has had these symptoms so I > can get my mother off potent pain medication. > All here pain went away when hospitalized and they quit giving her Serevent. > But she had to resume to breathe. Now her Dr. does not think Serevent had > anything to do with it. Any suggestions?
For Serevent (salmeterol) PI see: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/salmet.htm Excerpt: "Adverse Events: Other events occurring in the salmeterol xinafoate treatment group at a frequency of 1% to 3% were as follows: Musculoskeletal: Pain in joint, back pain, muscle cramp/contraction, myalgia/myositis, muscular soreness. Neurological: Nervousness, malaise/fatigue." You can get the complete prescribing info at this link, or ask the pharmacist to provide the insert he removed from the Serevent package or check the PDR at your public library. Side effects are dose dependent; she could try a lower dose. Some people can’t tolerate Serevent at all. I assume your mother is on steroids if her asthma is so severe. Steroids can cause joint and muscle pain, depending on the dose (and whether oral or inhaled) And steroids can have severe long term side effects (osteoporosis, high BP, diabetes). Serevent is often used as a steroid-sparing drug. We could give a better answer if you told us all the drugs and doses your mother is on. You can look up most drugs at www.rxlist.com Ellis
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>Has anyone experienced severe joint and muscle pain after being on Serevent >for a couple of months. Or has anyone experienced muscle jerking after >treatment of Serevent. I need to know if anyone has had these symptoms so I >can get my mother off potent pain medication. >All here pain went away when hospitalized and they quit giving her Serevent. >But she had to resume to breathe. Now her Dr. does not think Serevent had >anything to do with it. Any suggestions?
I was glad to see your posting regarding joint pain. I had severe joint pain in the hips and knees. Pain killers didn’t do too much to reduce pain. I was on Serevent for about one year without problems until I switched to new powder form. Both family doctor and lung specialist said medication wasn’t causing the problem. Family doctor was ready to send me to.surgeon. After see your post I stopped taking Serevent and the pain is just about gone in my hips after three days. It is very upsetting when your doctors can’t help and you have to find info out on the internet. I’d suggest you find another doctor for your Mother.
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I take serevant and I haven’t had any of those problems at all.
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I’d like to comment on Serevent. I have been on it for about a year. In the last three months I have developed bad hip and knee pain. Both the lung specialist or general doctor said Serevent would not cause pain like this. Had numerous x-rays taken and nothing found. Lung specialist asked me to try not taking Serevent for couple days. Guess what? The pain started to diminish within 24 hours. After a week, the pain is just about gone. I don’t know if the Serevent caused the pain or just made it worse? I also take Pulimcort. The Pulimcort was really good at stopping the coughing. I also had numerous side effects from Azmacort. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I take serevant and I haven’t had any of those problems at all.
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’d like to comment on Serevent. I have been on it for about a year. In > the last three months I have developed bad hip and knee pain. > Both the lung specialist or general doctor said Serevent would not cause > pain like this. Had numerous x-rays taken and nothing found. > Lung specialist asked me to try not taking Serevent for couple days. Guess > what? The pain started to diminish within 24 hours. After a week, the pain > is just about gone. > I don’t know if the Serevent caused the pain or just made it worse? I also > take Pulimcort. The Pulimcort was really good at stopping the coughing. > I also had numerous side effects from Azmacort. >I take serevant and I haven’t had any of those problems at all.
Dear Lightstream, I’ve just started taking Serevent. So far so good. But my various readings on this newsgroup many individuals seem to have leg cramps etc…with the Serevent. It sure seems that it is in fact the culprit. I would also like to know what your side effects were with the Azmacort. I take 6 puffs 2x a day. Thanks. Kevin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
Serevent is not a rescue therapy and should not be as such. These deaths you are hearing about are due to improper use of the inhaler. Serevents onset of action does not occur for about 20 minutes after inhalation and therefore a rescue drug should be chosen as an inhaler to carry in the event of an emergency. Keep the Serevent at home with the toothbrush….morning and night use only. Carry a Ventolin Inhaler with you during the day.
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>Remember, every time you take a drug, you’re balancing risks against >benefits. I just wish that doctors would talk about the risks more >frankly.
I agree with your sentiments, but can I mention, that with all drugs, but especially new ones on the market, the doctor has information from 1. the company (says enough) 2. published evidence (on efficacy etc., but little will be known as the drug is essentially safe as it has got the license) 3. post marketing surveillance (which only starts with the launch of the product) 4. personal experience – generally regarded as the most useful for common side effects, and of no value for a while. The less used a drug is the longer this will take to accumulate anyway. I feel then, that even with the best will in the world, that the doctor might not be able to talk about the "risks" with much basis, at least in the first few years of a products use. Not using the product too early then is helpful, but the patient may be missing out (following the evidence from 1 and 2 above, 3 will take longer, and 4 doesn’t get off the ground! Does that make sense? Guy Watkins
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>Saw my Asthma Specialist today and asked him about the side effects of >Serevent . Also asked him about all the bad press that Serevent gets. I >have read on the A.S.A about the deaths resulting from Serevent and told >my doctor this and he said Serevent was one of the safest drug ever. Which >has me really confused now, is he just keeping these reports from me or is >Serevent a good and safe drug. My Asthma has improved by 100% since taking >Serevent but am now frightened that i am taking it now just to be ill with >something else in the future. >Is there any solid evidence anywhere about the side effects of Serevent or >are all these reports just things that people have heard. >Thanks in advance for any replies >And wishing everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year (we deserve it) >Tracy (uk)
Tracy I have to admit that I am sceptical of what doctors tell me about drugs these days. My last doctor changed me from Becloforte to Flixotide. Nothing unusual about that, but he was really enthusiastic about the latter. And why ? Because his son was on the research team ! On the other hand, my peak flow virtually doubled as a result and I haven’t had any night-time attacks for nearly three years. For every drug that makes it to the market, thousands don’t. These days, pharmaceutical companies are more wary about bringing new drugs to the market place – mainly out of a worry that if anything goes wrong, the legal and financial implications could be horrendous. Remember, every time you take a drug, you’re balancing risks against benefits. I just wish that doctors would talk about the risks more frankly. All the best, Chris — Chris King | Advice given here should not be used as a substitute
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Saw my Asthma Specialist today and asked him about the side effects of >Serevent . Also asked him about all the bad press that Serevent gets. I >have read on the A.S.A about the deaths resulting from Serevent and told >my doctor this and he said Serevent was one of the safest drug ever. Which >has me really confused now, is he just keeping these reports from me or is >Serevent a good and safe drug. My Asthma has improved by 100% since taking >Serevent but am now frightened that i am taking it now just to be ill with >something else in the future. >Is there any solid evidence anywhere about the side effects of Serevent or >are all these reports just things that people have heard. >Thanks in advance for any replies >And wishing everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year (we deserve it) >Tracy (uk) >Join Cultzone The Oofficial Science Fiction & Cult TV Appreciation Society >Join The Official Dave Prowse ( Darth Vader ) Fan Club
Serevent is a safe drug if you are not one of the people who get a reaction to it. My brother went into bronchial spasm in the doctor’s office when trying serevent. This is a recognized side effect. Paradoxical reactions such as that may not be the norm, but they do happen. If you respond well to Serevent, then there is probably no reason not to use it. As is the case with all medications and supplements that are new to the market, it will take years before the long term safety of these are established conclusively. The balance is between the quality of life improvement vs the unknown risk. That is your decision to make based on your reactions and your doctor’s advice. Hope this is of some help. Michael Kay asthma sufferer for 50 years
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Saw my Asthma Specialist today and asked him about the side effects of Serevent . Also asked him about all the bad press that Serevent gets. I have read on the A.S.A about the deaths resulting from Serevent and told my doctor this and he said Serevent was one of the safest drug ever. Which has me really confused now, is he just keeping these reports from me or is Serevent a good and safe drug. My Asthma has improved by 100% since taking Serevent but am now frightened that i am taking it now just to be ill with something else in the future. Is there any solid evidence anywhere about the side effects of Serevent or are all these reports just things that people have heard. Thanks in advance for any replies And wishing everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year (we deserve it) Tracy (uk) Join Cultzone The Oofficial Science Fiction & Cult TV Appreciation Society Join The Official Dave Prowse ( Darth Vader ) Fan Club
Response:
> Saw my Asthma Specialist today and asked him about the side effects of > Serevent . Also asked him about all the bad press that Serevent gets. I > have read on the A.S.A about the deaths resulting from Serevent and told > my doctor this and he said Serevent was one of the safest drug ever. Which > has me really confused now, is he just keeping these reports from me or is > Serevent a good and safe drug. My Asthma has improved by 100% since taking > Serevent but am now frightened that i am taking it now just to be ill with > something else in the future. > Is there any solid evidence anywhere about the side effects of Serevent or > are all these reports just things that people have heard.
Tracy, There is no reason to be frightened of Serevent. If you haven’t had any problems with it thus far, and are not abusing it, there should be no future problems. The cases of death happened because people did not use the Serevent according to instructions, either trying to use it as an emergency broncho-dilator or using it more than 2 puffs twice a day. These were not side effects; they were caused by misuse of a drug. Serevent is not the only drug that can cause death if misused, as I’m sure you’re aware. Even Tylenol can lead to death. That doesn’t mean you should be scared of a med that is obviously working for you. It just means that you should continue to use it properly. If you aren’t sure you are using it properly, then discuss proper use with your doctor or pharmacist (that’s chemist, I believe, to you) Laura.
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I have recently had my course of treatment changed to include Serevent and have noticed side-effects which include extreme heartburn. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this effect. Thanks
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Makes sense to me–I’m being told I have severe reflux, but i think all the damn inhalers are half the cause. Jimmy Mac
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I have had good luck with Serevent. No jitters, that helps very much. No reflux for me.
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I’ve been on Serevent since it was approved. Had no problems of any kind with it. I will note that I had reflux BEFORE starting Serevent, but a treatment of Zantac (then prescription) took care of that problem. Think you may have a separate problem. John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have recently had my course of treatment changed to include Serevent > and have noticed side-effects which include extreme heartburn. I was > wondering if anyone else has noticed this effect. Thanks
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Thanks to everyone for your feedback. The manufacturer replied to my email and is adding it the list of adverse reactions reported to the FDA. I guess it’s a catch 22 for me. Thanks again
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I was on Proventil for 2 years and my doctor switched me to Serevent. I lasted only 2 days and went back to Proventil. I hadn’t felt such a rush of anxiety since I stopped abusing drugs 20 years ago. Maybe it was just me
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I think the responses to Serevent are different between people. I have taken it and it hasn’t produced any "rush". Pedro Gelabert The truth shall set you free…
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PG> I think the responses to Serevent are different between > people. I have taken it and it hasn’t produced any "rush". Indeed. I didn’t notice any real response to it at all, so I just went back to Proventil when the Serevent cannister was empty. Not that Proventil works much, either, but it seems to work slightly more for me. -+-
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>I’ve been on Serevent for quite some time now and find that when I need >to use Albuterol (occasionally) it is not as effective as it used to be >before I started on Serevent. Has anybody else had this experience. >I also take Azmacort regularly. >Marc
I’ve noticed it as well. I’ve read some speculation that what happens is our Azmacort dosage isn’t quite what it used to be (true in my case) and as a result the inflamation has to some extent returned. The albuterol can’t be as effective if the Serevent already has the passage dilated, and is not effective to reduce the inflamation.
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>> I’ve been on Serevent for quite some time now and find that when I need > to use Albuterol (occasionally) it is not as effective as it used to be > before I started on Serevent. Has anybody else had this experience. > I also take Azmacort regularly. > Marc >There was a study reported in the last issue of the newsletter Asthma >Update that reported using Albuterol before exercise was less effective >when it was also used on a regular daily basis. The same effect may >occur with Serevent which is also a beta-agonist bronchodilator. There >is a controversy at present among the asthma specialists about whether >or not regular daily usage of a beta-agonist causes increased >hypersentivity of the airwys.
.. which is why you should NOT stop taking inhaled steroids like belomethasone when you start taking Serevent, even though you feel fine.
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I’ve been on Serevent for quite some time now and find that when I need to use Albuterol (occasionally) it is not as effective as it used to be before I started on Serevent. Has anybody else had this experience. I also take Azmacort regularly. Marc
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> I’ve been on Serevent for quite some time now and find that when I need > to use Albuterol (occasionally) it is not as effective as it used to be > before I started on Serevent. Has anybody else had this experience. > I also take Azmacort regularly. > Marc
There was a study reported in the last issue of the newsletter Asthma Update that reported using Albuterol before exercise was less effective when it was also used on a regular daily basis. The same effect may occur with Serevent which is also a beta-agonist bronchodilator. There is a controversy at present among the asthma specialists about whether or not regular daily usage of a beta-agonist causes increased hypersentivity of the airwys.
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -(asterisk) writes: > I agree, Serevent has good results and no side affects, so far. I have > been using it for two years and my albuterol usage is almost nil. > Another thing that helped me immensely was using Beconase for my stuffy > nasal condition which has plagued me since childhood. Since then my > asthma has improved immensely. Along with all of the above, of course I > take Azmacort. >Congratulations. As for me, within hours or days of going on Servevent, I >get wickedly bad headaches (relieved, not by improvement in asthma, but by >going off Serevent). I can’t get more than a minimum of relief for the >headaches with ibuprofen, so it’s not an ordinary headache. >I use Serevent when I’m really bad and can’t stand the constant Ventolin >jitters, but as a maintenance med, it’s a dud, for me. I gather I’m not >alone; some people just react badly to it (or any medication). Serevent >also gives me side effects similar to Ventolin, but much more muted and >thus bearable and sleep through able. >Just my personal experience. >asterisk
Is anyone familiar with a somewhat new drug called Atrovent? I have been taking it in a nebulizer for two years with great results…don’t need all the other inhalers, except serevant. I mix the atrovent with Proventil…four times a day. Now there is a new derivative of atrovent as a nasal spray…It works great for allergies. Larry
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>I agree, Serevent has good results and no side affects, so far. I have >been using it for two years and my albuterol usage is almost nil. >Another thing that helped me immensely was using Beconase for my stuffy >nasal condition which has plagued me since childhood. Since then my >asthma has improved immensely. Along with all of the above, of course I >take Azmacort.
I just started using Serevent a couple of weeks ago and haven’t touched my Albuterol since, even before/after working out. It is wonderful. I am curious as to what this ‘Azmacort’ is, and also this stuffy nasal condition that is being treated so well with Beconase. I seem to have the same problem, being stuffed up all the time…how does this affect asthma? Particulates getting in through the mouth? Rich
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> Is anyone familiar with a somewhat new drug called Atrovent? I have > been taking it in a nebulizer for two years with great results…don’t > need all the other inhalers, except serevant. I mix the atrovent with > Proventil…four times a day. > Now there is a new derivative of atrovent as a nasal spray…It works > great for allergies. > Larry
My doctor prescribed me an Atrovent MDI two years ago. I had immediate hallucinations and spent a horrible night constantly thinking that the house was on fire. I only reacted badly the first time–when I used it again, very fearfully you understand, I was alright. However, I never could get used to Atrovent’s truly hideous taste and stopped using it as soon as I finished the canister. By then my spring-time asthma crisis had passed and I was able to get by with Azmacort and Ventolin. (Why did I keep using Atrovent after the hallucinations? Because it did work right away, and I felt that breathing was worth the risk. Now that I have Serevent, I hope I’ll never have to use Atrovent again.) I have heard a little about the nasal spray, and am somewhat tempted to try the Atrovent spray since the steroid sprays that I have tried make my nose bleed. But I worry about a re-occurence of that terrible night. Maybe I’ll just keep using salt water and guiafenisen unless I hear some more about it. Laura (sorry if this is sent twice–my mailer stalled out in the middle of the last attempt)
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: I agree, Serevent has good results and no side affects, so far. I have : been using it for two years and my albuterol usage is almost nil. : Another thing that helped me immensely was using Beconase for my stuffy : nasal condition which has plagued me since childhood. Since then my : asthma has improved immensely. Along with all of the above, of course I : take Azmacort.
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Hello Jo Ann, : I agree, Serevent has good results and no side affects, so far. I have : been using it for two years and my albuterol usage is almost nil. : Another thing that helped me immensely was using Beconase for my stuffy : nasal condition which has plagued me since childhood. Since then my : asthma has improved immensely. Along with all of the above, of course I : take Azmacort. Do you use the Beconase only during the Spring allergy season or year round ? I am thinking of going back to beconase shortly as it does seem to decrease the severity of my asthma during the Spring season. Amber
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Hello,
<stuff deleted> : I use Serevent when I’m really bad and can’t stand the constant Ventolin : jitters, but as a maintenance med, it’s a dud, for me. I gather I’m not : alone; some people just react badly to it (or any medication). Serevent : also gives me side effects similar to Ventolin, but much more muted and : thus bearable and sleep through able. I have heard that there are very mixed reviews concerning the effectiveness of Serevent – for some asthmatics its great – for others it does very little and causes the nasty headaches etc that you mention. However, for those that use Serevent with no side effects, I have been told recently that it is a drug that most doctors are trying not to use for their pt’s on a chronic/long term basis. I currently take 8 puffs per day of Serevent as per doctors orders, however, he is hoping to reduce that significantly by the end of the year and mentioned that it does have very dangerous side effects if used improperly (i.e. multiple puffs during an asthma attack which is NOT its intended use) and/or if it is used on a long term basis at maximum dosage. Amber
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says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I agree, Serevent has good results and no side affects, so far. I have >been using it for two years and my albuterol usage is almost nil. >Another thing that helped me immensely was using Beconase for my stuffy >nasal condition which has plagued me since childhood. Since then my >asthma has improved immensely. Along with all of the above, of course I >take Azmacort. >I just started using Serevent a couple of weeks ago and haven’t touched >my Albuterol since, even before/after working out. It is wonderful. I >am curious as to what this ‘Azmacort’ is, and also this stuffy nasal >condition that is being treated so well with Beconase. I seem to have >the same problem, being stuffed up all the time…how does this affect >asthma? Particulates getting in through the mouth? >Rich >Hi , Astmathics ‘over there’! >I am a GP in Sweden and have quite a few asthma-patients who I treat
with Serevent. Almost everyone have a very good effect on their asthma by it.But – at least5 – 6 of them have experienced a side-effect. Most common is pain and cramps in the lower leg. Have you or sommeone else experienced something like that ? Tony G
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > says… >>I agree, Serevent has good results and no side affects, so far. I > have >>been using it for two years and my albuterol usage is almost nil. >>Another thing that helped me immensely was using Beconase for my > stuffy >>nasal condition which has plagued me since childhood. Since then my >>asthma has improved immensely. Along with all of the above, of course > I >>take Azmacort. >I just started using Serevent a couple of weeks ago and haven’t touched >my Albuterol since, even before/after working out. It is wonderful. I >am curious as to what this ‘Azmacort’ is, and also this stuffy nasal >condition that is being treated so well with Beconase. I seem to have >the same problem, being stuffed up all the time…how does this affect >asthma? Particulates getting in through the mouth? >Rich >Hi , Astmathics ‘over there’! >I am a GP in Sweden and have quite a few asthma-patients who I treat > with Serevent. Almost everyone have a very good effect on their asthma > by it.But – at least5 – 6 of them have experienced a side-effect. Most > common is pain and cramps in the lower leg. > Have you or sommeone else experienced something like that ? > Tony G
I experienced some cramps in the calf muscles the first year I started Serevant but have not noticed any in the last year.
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For those pesky calf cramps, try eating a banana everyday to be sure you’re getting enough potassium. Leslie
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> says… > >>I agree, Serevent has good results and no side affects, so far. I > have > >>been using it for two years and my albuterol usage is almost nil. > >>Another thing that helped me immensely was using Beconase for my > stuffy > >>nasal condition which has plagued me since childhood. Since then my > >>asthma has improved immensely. Along with all of the above, of course > I > >>take Azmacort. > >I just started using Serevent a couple of weeks ago and haven’t touched > >my Albuterol since, even before/after working out. It is wonderful. I > >am curious as to what this ‘Azmacort’ is, and also this stuffy nasal > >condition that is being treated so well with Beconase. I seem to have > >the same problem, being stuffed up all the time…how does this affect > >asthma? Particulates getting in through the mouth? > >Rich > >Hi , Astmathics ‘over there’! > >I am a GP in Sweden and have quite a few asthma-patients who I treat > with Serevent. Almost everyone have a very good effect on their asthma > by it.But – at least5 – 6 of them have experienced a side-effect. Most > common is pain and cramps in the lower leg. > Have you or sommeone else experienced something like that ? > Tony G > I experienced some cramps in the calf muscles the first year I started > Serevant but have not noticed any in the last year.
That’s weird. In the tear and a half I have taken Serevent, I have experienced cramping in my feet, most often in bed but I never made the connection. Is this a documented side effect? — Humbert Humbert (Not my real name but THAT is none of your business anyway)
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Hello Leslie,
: For those pesky calf cramps, try eating a banana everyday to be sure : you’re getting enough potassium. Thanks for the tip… I didn’t know there was a connection between the cramps and low potassium intake. The bananas in our local safeway have not been of great quality lately so I have been getting my potassium from a Calcium/Magnesium supplement – I get approx 60 mgs of potassium a day and I have noticed that I don’t get as crampy in the lower leg after having too much ventolin during the day. Does anybody else take Calcium/Magnesium supplements ? Amber
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<snip> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > >I am a GP in Sweden and have quite a few asthma-patients who I treat > > with Serevent. Almost everyone have a very good effect on their asthma > > by it.But – at least5 – 6 of them have experienced a side-effect. Most > > common is pain and cramps in the lower leg. > > Have you or sommeone else experienced something like that ? > > Tony G > I experienced some cramps in the calf muscles the first year I started > Serevant but have not noticed any in the last year. >That’s weird. In the tear and a half I have taken Serevent, I have >experienced cramping in my feet, most often in bed but I never made the >connection. Is this a documented side effect? >– >Humbert Humbert >(Not my real name but THAT is none of your business anyway)
Giday, I have been using Serevent for about 5 months now. Started using it as I kept waking up at night giving continual disturbed sleep. This is the best thing that I have ever used! I have only used ventolin on two occasions (then only as a preventer before heavy exercise). Wheasy chest is gone and have reduced Beceloforte to almost zero. Usage is 2 puffs am & pm. Have forgoten to take it on occasions(usually at night) with no immediate return of symptoms. My doctor has suggested Athhma beghets Asthma, have I broken the cycle? It feel great! Cramps: It is hard to say, as I work on my feet on a hard surface I oftern have calf tightness at night but not any increase since changing to Serevent. I will keep it monitored and let you know. I must say the new medication has changed me. I do not know of any side affects 
Please let me know of any. Intend to reduce the medication soon and see what happens. ceya Graham ,-._| Elliminyt, AUSTRALIA _,–.x/ Fidonet : 3:632/326 v
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serevent is the best thing I’ve ever used. I must also use Azmacort in conjunction. This combination works the best for me. I have had numerous occacions of foot and calf cramping but nerver associated the two until I read this
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> serevent is the best thing I’ve ever used. I must also use Azmacort in > conjunction. This combination works the best for me. I have had numerous > occacions of foot and calf cramping but nerver associated the two until I > read this
Same here. After a while the cramping is not as frequent,especially since taking potassium and eating bananas.
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I agree, Serevent has good results and no side affects, so far. I have been using it for two years and my albuterol usage is almost nil. Another thing that helped me immensely was using Beconase for my stuffy nasal condition which has plagued me since childhood. Since then my asthma has improved immensely. Along with all of the above, of course I take Azmacort.
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> I agree, Serevent has good results and no side affects, so far. I have > been using it for two years and my albuterol usage is almost nil. > Another thing that helped me immensely was using Beconase for my stuffy > nasal condition which has plagued me since childhood. Since then my > asthma has improved immensely. Along with all of the above, of course I > take Azmacort.
Congratulations. As for me, within hours or days of going on Servevent, I get wickedly bad headaches (relieved, not by improvement in asthma, but by going off Serevent). I can’t get more than a minimum of relief for the headaches with ibuprofen, so it’s not an ordinary headache. I use Serevent when I’m really bad and can’t stand the constant Ventolin jitters, but as a maintenance med, it’s a dud, for me. I gather I’m not alone; some people just react badly to it (or any medication). Serevent also gives me side effects similar to Ventolin, but much more muted and thus bearable and sleep through able. Just my personal experience. asterisk
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I have a question about HOW to use Serevent. The Pharmacist told me to take one puff, wait 5 minutes, take the second puff and then wait 20 minutes before using my asthmacort and Tilade. Is this necessary? In the busyness of morning, I have on occasion forgotten to finish my meds because of this 20 minute wait. I have meant to ask another Pharmacist, but can anyone here help?
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writes: >I have a question about HOW to use Serevent. The Pharmacist told me to >take one puff, wait 5 minutes, take the second puff and then wait 20 >minutes before using my asthmacort and Tilade. Is this necessary? In the >busyness of morning, I have on occasion forgotten to finish my meds >because of this 20 minute wait. I have meant to ask another Pharmacist, >but can anyone here help?
The official instructions from Glaxo the manufacturer of Serevent (salmeterol) recommend waiting 30 seconds or more between inhalations. The 20 minute wait is designed to let the Serevent kick in so that you get more of the other medications to your lungs. It would be better for you to remember to take your medicines all at once then to wait 20 minutes and forget to take the antiinflammatory medications.
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>I have a question about HOW to use Serevent. The Pharmacist told me to >take one puff, wait 5 minutes, take the second puff and then wait 20 >minutes before using my asthmacort and Tilade. Is this necessary? In the >busyness of morning, I have on occasion forgotten to finish my meds >because of this 20 minute wait. I have meant to ask another Pharmacist, >but can anyone here help?
Hi! I am also on Serevent, followed by two other inhalers. This is what I was told about spacing the medications: Wait at least a minute between the two puffs of Serevent and then give it 5 minutes to start working before beginning the puffs of the other medications, with a minute between each other individual puff. Serevent is not as fast acting as albuterol. Giving it time to open your lungs before using the other inhalers increases the amount of the follow-up medication you are able to breath in – I see it as helping me get my money’s worth! Sharon
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > writes: > >I have a question about HOW to use Serevent. The Pharmacist told me to > >take one puff, wait 5 minutes, take the second puff and then wait 20 > >minutes before using my asthmacort and Tilade. Is this necessary? In > the > >busyness of morning, I have on occasion forgotten to finish my meds > >because of this 20 minute wait. I have meant to ask another Pharmacist, > >but can anyone here help? > The official instructions from Glaxo the manufacturer of Serevent > (salmeterol) recommend waiting 30 seconds or more between inhalations. > The 20 minute wait is designed to let the Serevent kick in so that you get > more of the other medications to your lungs. It would be better for you > to remember to take your medicines all at once then to wait 20 minutes and > forget to take the antiinflammatory medications.
It also depends on how "active" your asthma is. If your peak flow is down, indicating that there is active bronchospasm, then waiting is necessary, so that your airways are more open and you can get maximum benefit from the subsequent doses. If you’re in your "green zone" and you are using the bronchodilator more as a preventative, little added benefit will be gained by waiting the full amount of time (although the minimum of 30-60 seconds recommended on most inhalers is still necessary). Talk to your doctor and discuss reducing the waiting time on your "good days". — Mark Feblowitz, GTE Laboratories Inc., 40 Sylvan Rd. Waltham, MA 02254
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Hi,
: I have a question about HOW to use Serevent. The Pharmacist told me to : take one puff, wait 5 minutes, take the second puff and then wait 20 : minutes before using my asthmacort and Tilade. Is this necessary? In the : busyness of morning, I have on occasion forgotten to finish my meds : because of this 20 minute wait. I have meant to ask another Pharmacist, : but can anyone here help? This may vary from patient to patient so I would suggest that you return to the physician that prescribed the Serevent and question them about what the pharmacist suggested. I take 8 puffs of Serevent per day – 4 in the am and 4 in the pm. I always take each puff about 1 minute apart and then wait no more than 5 minutes before taking my FlowVent (a new steroid inhaler -probably similar to Azmacort). I have never heard of 20 minutes and would think that it would decrease the chance of getting the maximum amount of the steroid inhaler deep into your lungs where it is needed. However, I am following the directions given to me by my pulmonologist and it is possible that azmacort works in a different way than FlowVent. Please double check with your doctor and let us know what his/her reasoning was behind the 20 minute wait. Amber
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For a thorough discussion on Asthma (including Serevent) from a number of medical bodies try this: http://hna.ffh.vic.gov.au/asthma/amh.html Scott
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Anyone can get more info on asthma and servent, by checking out the alpha1 web site at htti://www.ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/claude there are other connections by going to http://www.alphanet.org – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >For a thorough discussion on Asthma (including Serevent) from a >number of medical bodies try this: >http://hna.ffh.vic.gov.au/asthma/amh.html >Scott
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What are the side effects of Serevent and are they as bad as the albuterol tablets? My Peak flow is down to 380. My Doctor said it should be about 450 and I flunked my first spirometry test (retry next week) he wanted me to use the albuterol tablets, Azmacort 4 puffs bid, proventil as needed and Zantac (heartburn). I really had a bad time with the albuterol tablets (severe tremors) and I cannot use theophylline. What meds should I be on to get this under control? I’ve read about serevent and think that would help. I’m not an allergic asthmatic, rather an enviromental asthmatic. What triggers my asthma are cold and hot weather, high humidity, plus a husband who smokes. Husband not ready to quit smoking yet and usually smokes outside (lately not airing out good). FAUXTOPAZ
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<deleted all prior – all seemingly good info> I don’t know a great deal about meds or the mechanisms that make them work, but I do know that the Serevent/Flovent combo is the only thing that has worked for me. Aerobid, Azmacort, Beclovent, ad nauseum – I tried treatment after treatment and got progressively worse until I tried these two. Adding Accolate now – not noticing a huge difference, but it did help. Reflux is no fun – if Zantac doesn’t do it for you, ask your doctor about Prilosec. I have severe reflux (was self-dosing 600mg a day of Zantac to keep it under control), and Prilosec has been a godsend. Best of luck.
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Hi all I don’t post much but have learned a great deal from reading this newsgroup in the last two months. To all who wrote regarding the Medic Alert information, it was really appreciated and I now wear a bracelet (am on Flovent 220). I just wanted to agree that serevent and flovent have been life savers for me too. I was up to 16 plus puffs of azmacort and have to admit after 4 puffs i would lose track. I have also recently added accolate, and while I don’t see a huge improvement, I have been able to do many more activities than I normally can in the summer. Thanks to all of you for sharing some very important and informative information. Sherry
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> Does anyone have any information about Serevent? My 12-year-old son has > been on it now for approximately two months, and has been high as a kite > recently. It doesn’t seem to have made much difference to his asthma. He > has been on Flixotide for about three weeks and that seems to have made a > huge difference. > Maggie
Serevent is a long-acting bronchodilator. See: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/salmet.htm salmeterol Excerpt: "Adverse Reactions: Adverse reactions to salmeterol are similar in nature to reactions to other selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonists, i.e., tachycardia; palpitations; immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm (see WARNINGS; headache; tremor; nervousness; and paradoxical bronchospasm (see WARNINGS)." Copyright 1997 – Mosby Inc. – Mosby’s GenRx Flixotide (fluticasone, Flovent in the US) is a steroid inhaler. See: http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/treatmnt/drug/flovent.htm The fluticasone is the primary long-acting controller drug. If Serevent is causing a problem, ask your doctor about reducing the dose. Ellis
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Serevent has become popular because it works so well. I believe it works too well, and prefer not to prescribe it much. You should remember that if you are taking Serevent twice per day that is the equivalent to taking albuterol four times per day. Current recommendations suggest that if you use your albuterol more than 1.4 times per day, average, then you need increased anti-inflammatory medication. For this reason Serevent is not compatible with the current guidelines for asthma, COPD from smoking is different. If you need ANY albuterol regularly on top of the Serevent you are in trouble. That is way too much bronchodilator to be requiring and still consider your asthma controlled. Before Serevent came out, doctors used to prescribe albuterol at "standing doses". This means you take it "by the clock" four times per day whether you need it or not. Then you may take extra doses as needed. This type of dosing was found to cause decreased effectiveness of the albuterol (tolerance) and increased deaths from asthma. When we changed to only dosing the albuterol as needed and increasing the anti-inflammatories when it was needed several times per day the death rate went down somewhat. It frustrates me to see the same mistake being made twice. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Well I personally was taking an Inhaler Cocktail (as I like to call >it). It includeded Flovent and Serevent. I found that the Servent did >make me hyper BUT it also reduced my need for the Ventolin as well. I >am know on Accolate which has been a great help for me… Hope this >helps! >> Does anyone have any information about Serevent? My 12-year-old son has >> been on it now for approximately two months, and has been high as a kite >> recently. It doesn’t seem to have made much difference to his asthma. He >> has been on Flixotide for about three weeks and that seems to have made a >> huge difference. >> Maggie >Serevent is a long-acting bronchodilator. See: >http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/salmet.htm salmeterol >Excerpt: >"Adverse Reactions: >Adverse reactions to salmeterol are similar in nature to reactions > to other selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonists, i.e., tachycardia; > palpitations; immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including > urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm (see WARNINGS; headache; > tremor; nervousness; and paradoxical bronchospasm (see WARNINGS)." >Copyright 1997 – Mosby Inc. – Mosby’s GenRx >Flixotide (fluticasone, Flovent in the US) is a steroid inhaler. See: >http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/treatmnt/drug/flovent.htm >The fluticasone is the primary long-acting controller drug. >If Serevent is causing a problem, ask your doctor about reducing the >dose. >Ellis
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Does anyone have any information about Serevent? My 12-year-old son has been on it now for approximately two months, and has been high as a kite recently. It doesn’t seem to have made much difference to his asthma. He has been on Flixotide for about three weeks and that seems to have made a huge difference. Maggie
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> Does anyone have any information about Serevent? My 12-year-old son has > been on it now for approximately two months, and has been high as a kite > recently. It doesn’t seem to have made much difference to his asthma. He > has been on Flixotide for about three weeks and that seems to have made a > huge difference. > Maggie
Serevent is a bronchodilator. It’s effect is similar to albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), but it takes longer to start working, and its effect lasts longer. Bronchodilators work by relaxing muscles that tighten in the airways. Many people with asthma get both muscle tightening and also inflammation in the airways. Consequently, a bronchodilator by itself is not sufficient to control asthma. They also need an anti-inflammatory medication, which usually is an inhaled steroid. I’m not familiar with Flixotide. What is its generic (chemical) name? –Jeff
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Well, I’m 50 and have been taking Serevent since it came out. It has been VERY effective, and I’ve had asthma since I was younger than your son. It is primarily a preventive and usually prescribed along with an inhaled steroid (like Asthmacort) as a preventive. I’d check with tthe doctor or your pharmacist to see, but don’t think being hyper is a side effect. John Burton – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Does anyone have any information about Serevent? My 12-year-old son has > been on it now for approximately two months, and has been high as a kite > recently. It doesn’t seem to have made much difference to his asthma. He > has been on Flixotide for about three weeks and that seems to have made a > huge difference. > Maggie
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Serevent >I have found serevent very irritating to my lungs for the first 20minutes.Anyone else felt this?
I find that when I’m out of control ( asthma wise 
) that almost all inhalers will cause me to cough and/or spasm for the first 10 min or so. BUT… when I’m in control this does not happen. I usually take the cough / spasm response after a bronchodialator as a sign that I need to get my asthma in control. I’ve been in and out of this problem, mostly without, for the last 4 years. I find that once control is achieved, it goes away. Hope yours does too! Lou Ann — Lou Ann Miller Microscopic Imaging Lab College of Vet. Medicine University of Illinois 2001 S Lincoln Ave Urbana,Illinois 61801 217-244-1566 Microscopy Home Page: http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/MicImagLab/MicImagLab.html Central States Microscopy Society http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/HomePages/LouAnnMiller/CSMS/csms.html Personal Home Page: http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/HomePages/LouAnnMiller/LAM.html
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> Are there any definite ways to determine if a person has a sinus infection? > I have had sinus x-rays taken. One doctor felt they showed a sinus > infection, another felt the x-rays were inconclusive. > I have had nasal smears galore. Some showed infection and some didn’t. > This latest doctor believes I still have a sinus infection, though my nasal > smear didn’t indicate one. There must be some conclusive way to determine > this. Four months is a long time to either have or not have a sinus > infection, don’t you agree?
We were told by our pediatric allergist that the only way to get a definitive sinusitis culture is to do a deep (invasive) culture that goes into the sinus cavity. The preferred alternative is to try a long course of broad-spectrum antibiotics and watch for improvement, and if the cessation of the antibiotic was accompanied by a return of symptoms, try a more potent antibiotic. With recurrent symtpoms and no response, a trip to an ENT would be the best bet. Mark — Mark Feblowitz, GTE Laboratories Inc., 40 Sylvan Rd. Waltham, MA 02254
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> I have felt low grade to medium grade asthma symptoms about twenty > minutes after I take my antibiotics. First noticed with Augmentin. Now > with Cipro and Clindamycin. Anyone else feel this?
Could be an indication of an impending reaction to these antibiotics. Could be a reaction to one of the non-active buffering ingredients (check the PDR). Could be a reaction to what you took the pills with (e.g., milk, OJ, diet soda,…). Or even to the temperature of the liquid (although that would happen faster). Could be just that your asthma is flaring and just about any little thing could act as a trigger of low-level symptoms. — Mark Feblowitz, GTE Laboratories Inc., 40 Sylvan Rd. Waltham, MA 02254
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> Nasal cultures are also unreliable, because the bacteria in the nasal > passages may be different from those in the sinuses. A nasal > endoscopy, OTOH, enables the physician (usually an ENT) to obtain > bacteria samples from the sinuses themselves. > See, for example: http://www.meddean.luc.edu/develop/bsaid2/diag.htm
The home page for this is: http://www.meddean.luc.edu/develop/bsaid2/sinus.htm Thanks, Steve. Mark — Mark Feblowitz, GTE Laboratories Inc., 40 Sylvan Rd. Waltham, MA 02254
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part: >I have found serevent very irritating to my lungs for the first 20minutes. >Anyone >else felt this? I’ve only been using it for three days, perhaps it is an >early response.
Two tricks helped for me: one, use the serevent after eating, or at least drinking; two, use a spacer or, best, a holding chamber such as the Aerochamber. David
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I had the same problem also with aerobid. I found that by using a spacer with each, and separating them by 1-3 hours I do fine. Notice that tests described in serevent insert indicates maximum effect 2-4 hours after inhalation, so that is best time perhaps to inhale steroid spray.
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Re: Re: Re: Serevent >I have found serevent very irritating to my lungs for the first 20minutes. >Anyone >else felt this? I’ve only been using it for three days, perhaps it is an >early response. >I follow serevent with azmacort about thirty minutes apart but now I cough >with my first puff of azmacort. This cough is unnusual since I’ve been >using azmacort since july 4. >haven’t felt any cramping yet. >vd playwrightskaternewasthamsufferer.
Hi Vanessa, I only use Serevent at night. It doesn’t help me during the day. I’ve been using it daily for over a year, and I always get an instant broncospasm as soon as I use it; even though I use it right after I have used a ventolin nebule in my nebulizer. The broncospasm goes away in about 20 minutes. There doesn’t seem to be any way to avoid it, at least in my case. I’ve spoken with my Dr. about this and he doesn’t seemed surprised. Apparently it is a common experience for a lot of people. I can’t not take it…. otherwise I would hardly get any sleep at all. At least with Serevent I can sleep during the night for a few hours non-stop… What a huge relief to be able to sleep for more than 1 1/2 -2 hours at a time without having to get up and use a bronchdilator inhaler or nebulizer. It sure improves the quality of my life, I can put up with that broncospasm for the relief I get in some sleep. A good trade off, to be sure. . Before Serevent came out, I used a bronchodilator (ventolin) every couple of hours around the clock for 16 years and never once slept through the night. Cheers, Colleen
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> Are there any definite ways to determine if a person has a sinus infection? > I have had sinus x-rays taken. One doctor felt they showed a sinus > infection, another felt the x-rays were inconclusive.
Sinus x-rays are known to be unreliable; significant false positives. More reliable alternatives include: CT scan; nasal endoscopy; and even MRI scan. > I have had nasal smears galore. Some showed infection and some > didn’t.
Nasal cultures are also unreliable, because the bacteria in the nasal passages may be different from those in the sinuses. A nasal endoscopy, OTOH, enables the physician (usually an ENT) to obtain bacteria samples from the sinuses themselves. See, for example: http://www.meddean.luc.edu/develop/bsaid2/diag.htm > This latest doctor believes I still have a sinus infection, though my nasal > smear didn’t indicate one. There must be some conclusive way to determine > this. Four months is a long time to either have or not have a sinus > infection, don’t you agree?
When I suffered with recurrent sinus symptoms, my physician referred me to an ENT, who did both a CT scan and nasal endoscopy on me. Ask about seeing an ENT. But while these techniques can diagnose a sinusitis reliably, *treating* sinusitis is another matter. Sinusitis is surprisingly difficult to cure and can recur easily. You may want to check the newsgroup alt.support.sinusitis. Hope this helps. — Steven D. Litvintchouk "There seems to be no mainframe Disclaimer: As far as I am aware, in which we’re living." the opinions expressed herein — President Bill Clinton are not those of my employer.
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Re: Re: Serevent > Re: Serevent > themselves, but the propellants which cause the cramping. Try increasing > your potassium intake via potassium-rich sources such as bananas. ;) > Increasing potassium rich foods is a good ideal, but the propellants are > not the likely culprits. > Beta sites in the lung tissue are what the beta agonists (provental, > ventolin etc) work on. Other tissues have beta sights as well, and the > effect of the drugs on muscles is different than that for the lungs. > The cramping is probably a side effect of beta agonists themselves. Of > course any supliment that will help is always good. > ** I had severe ( wake up with back of knees practically touching the > back of my head) cramps when taking both serevent and high doses of an
Thanks for the info. It was a guess on my part, since the problem occurred with various regimens including Provental, Aerobid, Intal, etc. Thorny
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I was just given the Tilade Inhaler (Nedocromil Sodium) last week. I was told that it was to help with exercised induced asthma. It has really helped me alot. Kind of has a nasty taste and leaves the back of your throut numb but…. it beats suffocating.
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I have felt low grade to medium grade asthma symptoms about twenty minutes after I take my antibiotics. First noticed with Augmentin. Now with Cipro and Clindamycin. Anyone else feel this?
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Are there any definite ways to determine if a person has a sinus infection? I have had sinus x-rays taken. One doctor felt they showed a sinus infection, another felt the x-rays were inconclusive. I have had nasal smears galore. Some showed infection and some didn’t. This latest doctor believes I still have a sinus infection, though my nasal smear didn’t indicate one. There must be some conclusive way to determine this. Four months is a long time to either have or not have a sinus infection, don’t you agree? vd hollowheadflatfootedbreathshallowed.
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> Re: Re: Re: Serevent
I have found serevent very irritating to my lungs for the first 20minutes. Anyone else felt this? I’ve only been using it for three days, perhaps it is an early response. I follow serevent with azmacort about thirty minutes apart but now I cough with my first puff of azmacort. This cough is unnusual since I’ve been using azmacort since july 4. haven’t felt any cramping yet. vd playwrightskaternewasthamsufferer.
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I had a long series of sinus infections that were *missed* by standard sinus x-rays and cat scans! I had the drainage and headache and of course my asthma was worse, but nothing showed on x-ray. Finally a sinus endoscopy was done and wow, what a mess…signs everywhere of chronic long standing infection. The surgery improved the drainage paths, etc., and while I still get the rare infection, it now clears up fairly quickly. Check with an ENT specialist…good luck! Pat Crockett Austin, tX
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> Re: Serevent [snip] > I suggest that it isn’t the asthma meds > themselves, but the propellants which cause the cramping. Try increasing > your potassium intake via potassium-rich sources such as bananas. ;)
Increasing potassium rich foods is a good ideal, but the propellants are not the likely culprits. Beta sites in the lung tissue are what the beta agonists (provental, ventolin etc) work on. Other tissues have beta sights as well, and the effect of the drugs on muscles is different than that for the lungs. The cramping is probably a side effect of beta agonists themselves. Of course any supliment that will help is always good. ** I had severe ( wake up with back of knees practically touching the back of my head) cramps when taking both serevent and high doses of an acute beta agonist (Maxair). Calcium ( more milk) , potassium etc do help . Lou Ann
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I would like any information/experience anyone has had with asthma meds and cramping. I have had really bad leg and foot cramping since using serevent/azmacort/ventolin/tilade. Not sure which if any are causing this. Any information would be helpful.
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Re: Serevent > I would like any information/experience anyone has had with > asthma meds and cramping. I have had really bad leg and foot > cramping since using serevent/azmacort/ventolin/tilade. Not > sure which if any are causing this. Any information would be > helpful.
As a former asthma sufferer (still slightly, but it mostly went away a couple of years ago when we moved), I suggest that it isn’t the asthma meds themselves, but the propellants which cause the cramping. Try increasing your potassium intake via potassium-rich sources such as bananas. ;) Thorny
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There are a number of side effects associated with using Serevent. Rare and serious incidences that need medical attention consist of shortnes of breath, wheezing(bronchospasm), or fever, skin rash, swelling of face, lips (allergies to Serevent). Other more frequent but less serious cases that require medical attention only if they continue include pounding heart beat, headache, trembling, etc. Several people who were on Serevent reportedly experienced muscle cramps almost everywhere(legs, hands, back, etc.), and other side effects such as fast heart beat. For further information on that, you could visit the following web site: http://webmd.lycos.com/search_results. Here are some tips to relieve the pain of muscle cramps: 1)streth the cramped muscle with one hand, and alternatively squeeze and release it with the other hand. This helps restore blood flow and relax the cramped muscle in seconds, 2) do calf stretch before bedtime to help cure nocturnal leg cramps. To exercise the calf, you stand facing a wall two or three feet away. Place your hands on the wall and slowly lean toward, keeping your heels in contact with the floor. Hold in that position for ten seconds and relax for five seconds. Repeat the exercise few times, or 3) take a quinine tab at bedtime to prevent nocturnal leg cramps. Quinine makes nerve and muscle less excitable, and thus less cramped. I hope this information will be helpful to you, but I cannot make any guarantees as to its accuracy, completeness, usefulness or relevance to your situation. There is no substitute for having an ongoing, two -way dialogue with a licensed health professional who you know and trust. Good luck.
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Dear Toan You say: << Rare and serious incidences that need medical attention consist of shortnes of breath, wheezing(bronchospasm) >> I’ve read this too and think that I experienced this myself so I stopped the serevent (without telling my doctor) and got better- at least for a while. My question is: how does a person really find out if these kinds of symptoms are the result of the serevent or of the ups and downs of the asthma itself? Chilla
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I have been on Serevent for about a week. The high doses of Ventolin that I was on caused my heart to go into atrial fibrillation. It seems like the Serevent is much better. Kerry
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It is my understanding that you are right about only taking Serevent every 12 hours. It is not meant to be taken for an attack which I think some have done leading to death. —