Drug Name

Ventolin (Albuterol/Salbutamol)

Drug Uses

Ventolin is used to treat people with asthma and other chest illnesses. It is particularly prescribed to relieve asthma symptoms, and to prevent asthma symptoms brought on by exercise or other triggers.

How Taken

To treat asthma symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness and tightness in your chest, a usual dose is:

• Adults: One or two puffs to relieve symptoms or two puffs 10-15 minutes before exercise or exposure to a trigger.
• Children: One or two puffs to relieve symptoms or 10-15 minutes before exercise or exposure to a trigger.

Usually the most you would take in a 24-hour period is 8 puffs.

For regular treatment:

• Adults and children: Two puffs up to 4 times a day.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Ventolin contains the active ingredient Salbutamol, which is a type of medicine known as a short-acting beta 2 agonist. It works by acting on receptors in the lungs called beta 2 receptors. Stimulation of these receptors causes the muscles in the airways to relax, allowing the airways to open.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

Storage

Store at the room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Keep out of the reach of children.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not exceed the dose of Ventolin that your doctor has prescribed you to use.

If your inhaler doesn't relieve wheezing or chest tightness as well as usual, or for as long as usual, or you need to use it more often than usual, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. It may be that your asthma or COPD is getting worse and your doctor might need to give you another medicine. The same applies if you are taking Ventolin by mouth or nebuliser and it doesn't seem to be working as well.

Inhalers may cause an unexpected increase in wheezing (paradoxical bronchospasm) straight after using them. If this happens, stop using the inhaler immediately and consult your doctor. The medicine should be stopped and an alternative treatment found.

People with severe asthma should have regular blood tests to monitor the amount of potassium in their blood. This is because low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxia) and various asthma medicines, including this one, can lower blood potassium levels.

Possible Side Effects

Most people do not have any problems when taking this medicine.

• Some people may feel a bit shaky or have a headache.
• Some people who are unusually sensitive may notice that their heart is beating faster and/or more forcefully than usual. This awareness of their heart beating is called palpitations, is normally harmless, and usually passes off as treatment continues. Some might notice that their heartbeat becomes uneven or their heart gives an extra beat. Tell your doctor as soon as possible, but do not stop using this medicine unless told to do so.
• Mouth or throat irritation sometimes occurs with inhaled Ventolin.
• Muscle cramps have also been reported, although uncommon.
• Very rarely Ventolin may cause allergic reactions.
• Ventolin may affect the salt balance of the body, although this is rare.
• Patients taking this medicine may become restless or excitable although this is very rare.

If you feel unwell or notice anything unusual or which you do not understand, tell your doctor as soon as possible.

More Information

Ventolin should not be taken with beta-blockers, such as atenolol, propranolol or timolol. This is because beta-blockers have an opposite action to this medicine and cause the airways to narrow. This can result in breathing difficulties for people with asthma or COPD. This problem has sometimes been seen with eye drops containing beta-blockers, eg. used for glaucoma.