Serevent or Salmeterol Xinafoate

What is it - Serevent is a bronchodilator, meaning a medicine that dialates the bronchioles of the lung.

How does it work - Serevent is a long acting beta-adrenergic agonist. The beta2-adrenergic receptors are associated with the smooth muscles surrounding the lining of bronchial tubes. Stimulation of these receptor sites reliece something called cyclic 3'5-adenosine monophosphate(cAMP for short). CAMP causes bronchial smooth muscles to relax. Servent is fifty times more selective for beta2-adrenosceptors than albuterol.

This medicine is used for the long-term, twice daily maintanence treatment of asthma or the prevention of bronchospasm in patients 12 years and older. It is also used in the treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD.

There are some warnings associated with Servent:

It should not be used if athma symptoms are worsing.

Serevent should not be used to treat acute symptoms

Serevent is not as substitute for inhaled corticosteroids.

Souce - http://pedsccm.wustl.edu/All-Nt/english/pharmpage/resp/beta/betaintro.html

Last Updated 6/17/2006 10:20:55 PM