If you have asthma, you might think you have to put up with coughing and wheezing or reaching for the blue inhaler late at night. But the truth is, it doesn’t have to be this way.

You might be so used to living with asthma, that symptoms such as breathlessness, tightness in the chest, wheeziness or a persistent dry cough are a normal part of life.

You might also assume that exercise or running around with the kids goes hand-in-hand with laboured breathing, turning ‘enjoyable’ activities into strenuous chores.

In reality however, asthma treatment has come a long way, and there’s every chance you can put all these symptoms behind you.

IS YOUR ASTHMA UNDER CONTROL?
The first step to freeing yourself of symptoms is understanding how well controlled your asthma is right now.

Control means no coughing or wheezing, no night-time interruptions and no emergency visits to your doctor or hospital. Control means participating in activities you enjoy and not having to avoid them. Control means using a blue reliever inhaler less than two times a week and living life more.¹
There is a simple test to help you find out if your asthma really is under control – visit www.asthmacontrol.co.nz and answer the online questionnaire.

ARE YOU OVER-RELIANT ON YOUR BLUE INHALER?
In a major New Zealand asthma study, 81% of participants thought their asthma was well controlled, yet 76% were using their reliever at least daily and 33% were taking at least 3-4 puffs of reliever a day. So if there’s one thing the study showed, it’s that most people overestimate their level of asthma control.² 
If you’re using your blue inhaler more than twice a week, chances are your asthma is not as good as it could be.¹

SERETIDE^® – A STEP CLOSER TO FREEDOM
Your doctor is the best person to talk to about your asthma control.
You might not realise that you can have symptom-free days for most days of the year with Seretide, the purple inhaler.³ Seretide^® is a two-in-one inhaler that combines a preventer inhaler with a long-acting symptom controller, offering lasting control of symptoms day and night.
 
HOW IT WORKS⁴
Seretide contains the active ingredient of the orange preventer inhaler (fluticasone propionate) which treats inflammation inside the airways, reducing sensitivity to asthma triggers and helping prevent asthma attacks.

It also contains the active ingredient of the green symptom controller inhaler (salmeterol), which relaxes the muscles lining your airways for up to 12 hours.
If you really want to get your asthma under control, ask your doctor if Seretide, the purple inhaler, is right for you.^3,5

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References: 1. Global Initiative for Asthma. Global Strategy for Asthma Manangement and Prevention.  Updated 2009. Available at http://www.ginasthma.org/Guidelineitem.asp??|1=2&12=1&intid=1561. Accessed 19 November 2010. 2. Holt S. NZ INSPIRE Study overview. Research Review 2008;1013. 3. Woodcock A et al. Prim Care Resp J. 2007;16(3):155-161. 4. Seretide® Data Sheet GSK, NZ. 5. Bateman ED et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004;170:836-844. 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. Seretide and Accuhaler are registered trademarks of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies. Marketed by GlaxoSmithKline NZ Limited, Auckland. TAPS NA4833-11AP

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