According to the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand, asthma affects one in four children and one in six adults. Anyone can get asthma and it can start at any time of life.

Asthma affects people in different ways. Symptoms may be triggered by exercise, a change in weather, or everyday activities such as mowing the lawn or running after the kids.¹

For you, symptoms might include tightness in the chest, a wheeziness or persistent dry cough. Yet, these symptoms could be reduced with the right treatment.²

With better asthma control, it is possible to sleep peacefully through the night, get more out of each day, and take less time off work or school.2
 
ASTHMA CONTROL CHECK
If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the following questions, your asthma could be better controlled.

• Do you use your blue puffer more than three times a week?
• Have you limited your activities or taken time off work or school because of asthma?
• Have you woken in the night from coughing or feeling breathless?

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR
Your doctor is the best person to talk to about your asthma control.
The fact is it’s now possible to stay symptom-free for longer thanks to an advanced asthma treatment, such as Seretide (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate).^3,4

Seretide is fully funded for more people with asthma and available from your doctor.⁵


A TWO–IN–ONE PUFFER
Seretide contains Flixotide (fluticasone propionate) which reduces inflammation inside the airways, making them less sensitive to asthma triggers and helping prevent asthma attacks.

Seretide also contains Serevent (salmeterol), a long-acting symptom control medicine that relaxes the muscles lining your airways for up to 12 hours.6
It’s a two-in-one puffer that can offer lasting control of asthma symptoms day and night.^2,4,6



WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SERETIDE?
Not everybody is eligible for Seretide due to Pharmac special access criteria. Seretide is funded for people who have been on both a preventer and a symptom controller puffer for at least 3 months.⁵
 
If you believe you could benefit from Seretide, speak to your doctor about a free Seretide sample.

1. Asthma and Respiratory Foundation. What is asthma? 2006. Available at http://www.asthmanz.co.nz. Accessed 6th November 2006.  2. GINA Report, Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention. 2006. Available at http://www.ginasthma.org/guideline item. Accessed 28th November 2006. 3. Nelson HS et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003;112:29-36. 4. Bateman ED et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004;170:836-844. 5. Pharmaceutical Schedule, available at http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/interactive/scripts. 6. SeretideTMData Sheet, GSK New Zealand. Seretide (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate; available as a 50/25 or 125/25 micrograms per actuation inhaler, or as a 100/50 or 250/50 micrograms per actuation Accuhaler) is a Prescription Medicine for the treatment of reversible obstructive airway disease (ROAD) including asthma, and for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Seretide is a fully funded medicine; Special Authority criteria apply. Seretide 250/25 microgram inhaler is a private purchase medicine that you will need to pay for. Use strictly as directed. Seretide is not for relief of acute symptoms. Always carry your reliever inhaler. Do not discontinue Seretide abruptly. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or herbal remedies; you have pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), a thyroid problem or a heart problem; or you are having treatment for high blood pressure. Side-effects may include ’shaky’ feeling; headache; fast heart rate; irritation in the nose and throat. If symptoms continue or you have side-effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or health professional. For more information see Seretide Consumer Medicine Information at www.medsafe.govt.nz. Normal doctor’s office visit fees apply. Ask your doctor if Seretide is right for you. The Seretide information above applies to Flixotide and Serevent. Flixotide is available in 50, 125 or 250 micrograms per actuation inhaler and 50, 100 or 250 micrograms per actuation Accuhaler. Flixotide inhalers are fully funded whereas the Accuhaler is not fully funded (a part charge will apply). Serevent is available in 25 micrograms per actuation inhaler and 50 micrograms per actuation Accuhaler. Serevent is a fully funded medicine. Seretide, Flixotide, Serevent and Accuhaler are trademarks of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies. Marketed by GlaxoSmithKline NZ Limited, Auckland. TAPS NA2251-07JU

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