Salmeterol is a bronchodilator which is similar to albuterol (Proventil® or Ventolin®) and other "shorter-acting" medications such as bitolterol (Tornalate®), pirbuterol (Maxair®) and terbutaline (Brethaire®). Salmeterol differs from these medications in that it does not begin working immediately and has a longer duration of action. This allows for twice daily dosing rather than the usual four times daily or every 4-6 hours dosing.

Recently, there has been concern over the potential for a greater risk of dying of acute asthma attacks in persons treated with salmeterol. This has received much attention in newspapers and magazines. While the association between salmeterol and deaths due to asthma remains unclear, proper use of this medication can minimize any risks.

Salmeterol, with its slow onset of action and long duration of action, is not intended for use as a "rescue" medication. Therefore it should not be used for relief of acute symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. Salmeterol's longer onset of action, the time it takes to begin working, means that you may not feel immediate relief after taking a treatment. Thus, you should continue to use your shorter-acting agent for relief of symptoms, especially those that occur suddenly. Because salmeterol is a long-acting bronchodilator, you may feel relief for a longer period of time and may require fewer treatments of your shorter-acting bronchodilator.

What Are the Key Benefits of Serevent?

Just 2 Doses a Day: Serevent is taken just twice a day—about 12 hours apart.
12-Hour Relief: Serevent lasts up to 12 hours. You can make it part of your daily routine—for example, when you brush your teeth, morning and evening.
Serevent improves lung function versus Placebo: Serevent is the only inhaled long-acting bronchodilator. Serevent treats bronchoconstriction, also known as tightened airway muscles. That means Serevent helps control the tightening in your chest that causes coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. When taken regularly, Serevent can help open your airways so your lungs can function better. And since Serevent is long-lasting, you may need to use your fast-acting inhaler less often.

How Does Serevent Work?

When you use your inhaler or your Diskus (Accuhaler) and breathe in, Serevent enters your lungs, where it begins to work.

As you breathe in, microscopic particles of Serevent pass down the windpipe (trachea) and through the bronchial tubes (bronchi). Inside the lungs, the windpipe divides into thousands of smaller passages. Serevent reaches its site of action on the walls of the bronchial tubes.
The particles of Serevent attach themselves to special "docks" inside the bronchial tubes—like a key in a lock.
Once attached, Serevent sends a message to the cells in the bronchial tubes. This results in relaxation of the muscles surrounding the airways, opening the airways and helping you to breathe easy.
Because of the unique way Serevent works, it helps you breathe easy for up to 12 hours.

Is Serevent Right For You?

Serevent is used for long-term, twice-daily (morning and evening) maintenance treatment of asthma, including nighttime asthma, in patients who require regular treatment with inhaled, short-acting beta₂-agonists (e.g., albuterol). Serevent is also used for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm. Serevent Inhalation Aerosol is for patients 12 years of age and older. Serevent Diskus (Serevent Accuhaler) is for patients 4 years of age and older.

Serevent does not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms and should not be taken more than twice a day. If your asthma gets worse, and/or if you are using your fast-acting inhaler more often than usual, contact your doctor immediately. Serevent should not be started during rapidly deteriorating or potentially life-threatening episodes of asthma. Serevent is not a substitute for anti-inflammatory medications (inhaled or oral corticosteroids). Please see complete Prescribing Information.