Can Salmeterol combination be restarted in severe asthma?

Question

Hi doctor,

My brother has had asthma since the age of two. He used Seretide from the age of five. He stopped using it at the age of 12. From then on, he also uses Montelukast every day and Ventolin (when the condition becomes severe). Now he is 14 years old. He was okay for the last two years, but one week earlier, he was attacked severely.

We administered nebulization twice a day, Ventolin as needed, and Montelukast as usual. Today we consulted a doctor who asked him to continue with Seretide. I want to know the side effects of Seretide. Is it wise to start Seretide again? And one more thing is that cough syrup does not suit him, so what should be done for his cold?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

You said your brother has had asthma and was not taking Seretide (Salmeterol + Fluticasone propionate) for so many years. The first thing I want to clarify is that asthma is a chronic disease. You should take a regular controller inhaler like Seretide inhaler and Ventolin (Salbutamol) inhaler as required. As your brother is 14 years old, there are no side effects of Seretide. In children below 12 years of age, growth retardation may be possible. Otherwise, no severe side effects are seen.

The aim of asthma treatment is to control symptoms. You may have to step up or step down the dose of Seretide. But you cannot stop it anymore. The maintenance dose should be continued for a long time. So I advise you to continue the steroid inhaler regularly and Ventolin as required, but your brother cannot stop the Seretide inhaler anymore. Always step up or step down the inhaler in consultation with your pulmonologist.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.