What are the main benefits of Serenity?
Serenity is a medication that helps with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes your body to stop breathing during sleep. If left untreated, it can cause severe health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and even death.
How does Serenity work?
The medication works by blocking certain brain chemicals that cause your body to stop breathing during sleep. These chemicals include acetylcholine, which is responsible for regulating muscle movement; histamine, which causes headaches when inhaled or swallowed; and GABA, which makes you sleepy. When these chemical blocks are removed from your system, you will feel less tired while sleeping. You may wake up feeling refreshed instead of groggy.
Can I take Serenity if I have another medicine that affects my breathing?
Yes, but only under the supervision of a doctor. Taking other medicines together can lead to side effects. Also, some medications may not be effective at all without the use of Serenity. For example, melatonin cannot be used effectively when taken with benzodiazepines (drugs that affect your nervous system).
Does Serenity have side effects?
Yes, the medicine may cause drowsiness and problems with muscle movement. It can also affect your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery while taking it.
Can I take Serenity if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid using this medication since it can be passed through the mother’s milk to a nursing baby.
Does Serenity have interactions with other medicines?
Yes, the medicine may cause more severe side effects if taken with the following: amiodarone (used for an irregular heartbeat), disopyramide (used for an irregular heartbeat), erythromycin (an antibiotic), lithium (used to treat mental illness), mexiletine (used for irregular heartbeat), pentamidine (used to treat pneumonia), prodine (a pain medication), and others. It can also increase the effects of the following: alprazolam (used for anxiety), amitriptyline (an antidepressant), carbamazepine (used for seizures and headaches), clomipramine (used for depression), diazepam (a sedative), imipramine (an antidepressant), and others. If you are taking any of these medications, be sure to tell your doctor before starting Serenity.
What are the possible side effects of Serenity?
The following is a list of possible side effects. Serious side effects include the following:
depression
headache
muscle tightness
nervousness
sleepwalking
tremor Less serious side effects include the following: dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, grogginess, headache, lack of energy, lightheadedness, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, restlessness, shivering, stomach pain, trouble sleeping, vomiting. If you experience any of the following stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately: allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives), a fast heart rate, hallucinations, thoughts of self-harm, unusual behavior, and worsening of symptoms.
How do I store Serenity?
Storage instructions differ depending on the form of the medication. Please refer to the package for details.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek immediate medical attention if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine. An overdose of Serenity can be fatal.
What should I avoid while taking Serenity?
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness, and decrease coordination. It is also dangerous to drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Do not take any other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products.
What are the side effects of Serenity?
Side effects are individual and some patients don’t experience any at all. Below is a list of common side effects.
Sources & references used in this article:
Sternal precautions: is it time for change? Precautions versus restrictions–a review of literature and recommendations for revision by LP Cahalin, TK LaPier, DK Shaw – … physical therapy journal, 2011 – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Management of sternal precautions following median sternotomy by physical therapists in Australia: a web-based survey by LJ Tuyl, JH Mackney, CL Johnston – Physical Therapy, 2012 – academic.oup.com
An alternative approach to prescribing sternal precautions after median sternotomy,“Keep Your Move in the Tube” by J Adams, A Lotshaw, E Exum, M Campbell… – Baylor University …, 2016 – Taylor & Francis
