Is Serevent a Rescue Inhaler

When thinking of asthma inhalers, most people picture rescue inhalers. They are most often featured in movies and TV shows and are memorable due to their ability to provide immediate relief and even save lives. However, there are several types of prescription inhalers for lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By reading this article, you will learn about different types of inhalers and whether Serevent is a rescue or steroid inhaler. You will also discover its role in managing chronic respiratory conditions.

What is A Rescue Inhaler?

Rescue inhalers are the most well-known types of medication used to treat the symptoms of asthma or COPD, such as wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath. They are short-acting and relax the muscles around the airways within just a few minutes, with effects lasting from four to six hours. This allows the airways to open, mucus to clear, and makes breathing easier. Products falling in this category include Xopenex and Proair Digihaler.

Unlike other medications for asthma and COPD, rescue inhalers are intended for emergencies, often carried at all times and used only as needed. If administered more frequently than recommended, this may indicate that other medications need adjustment to manage the lung condition better. Inflammation, which is usually present in asthma, is not addressed by rescue inhalers and should instead be treated with daily corticosteroids.

What is a Steroid Inhaler?

Unlike rescue inhalers, steroid inhalers are intended for daily, long-term control and do not provide immediate relief. However, they address the same core symptoms of asthma and COPD, such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. While rescue and steroid inhalers are both delivered directly into the lungs, steroid inhalers, such as Flovent Inhaler and Pulmicort Flexhaler, reduce associated symptoms by fighting airway inflammation rather than acting on the muscles around the airways.

Is Serevent a Rescue or a Steroid Inhaler?

Serevent is neither a rescue medication nor a steroid inhaler but is often used alongside both, especially in asthma patients. It also shares certain similarities with both types of medication. Just like rescue inhalers, it’s classified as a bronchodilator, and it also shares similarities with steroid inhalers, as it’s used for daily, long-term management.

Its active ingredient, salmeterol xinafoate, treats symptoms of asthma, COPD, and exercise-induced bronchospasms, such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and chronic coughing. Serevent combats these breathing difficulties by stimulating beta2 receptors in the lungs, causing the muscles surrounding the airways to relax and the airways to open.

Although this mechanism is similar to that of rescue inhalers, it's crucial that you don’t confuse them. Never use Serevent instead of a rescue inhaler to treat acute asthma attacks or sudden and intense breathing problems, since it takes approximately 15-30 minutes to take effect. Serevent also doesn’t address inflammation; therefore, it’s often combined with corticosteroids and rescue inhalers for the best treatment results. It’s crucial to wait at least one minute after using one inhaler before moving on to the next and to follow your doctor's advice closely when taking any of these treatment options.

Where Should I Buy Serevent?

By reading this article, you have learned about Serevent and whether it’s a rescue or steroid inhaler. If you’re looking to buy any of these options, Canada Pharmacy offers thousands of over-the-counter and prescription drugs at significantly lower prices than U.S. retailers. As a trusted, licensed Canadian online pharmacy where pharmacists review all orders, it doesn’t compromise on quality. Canada Pharmacy also offers several other advantages, including secure online transactions, fast, convenient and affordable shipping, excellent customer support, and a Lowest Price Guarantee on eligible products.