Important Facts About The Salbutamol Inhaler
Most frequent questions and answers about using a Ventolin inhaler for asthma treatment
Ventolin inhalers contains salbutamol, and is used to treat asthma, acting as a ‘fast acting bronchodilators’ to help your airways stay open and relieve chest tightness, wheezing and coughing.
Salamol inhalers contain the same active ingredient as Ventolin. It is just a cheaper brand of the salbutamol inhaler, but works in the same way.
The active medicine salbutamol helps to keep the airways stay open, making it easier for air to get in and out. As a result of this, it helps relieve chest tightness, wheezing and coughs.
Anyone who experiences shortness of breath, a wheeze, or chest tightness and has been diagnosed with asthma. Ventolin Inhalers can also be prescribed for patients with other lung conditions such as COPD.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using a Ventolin inhaler.
You can take two puffs of your reliever inhaler when experiencing shortness of breath, a wheeze or chest tightness (up to four times a day).
In a sudden asthma attack you can take up to 10 puffs, but you should wait 30 seconds and always shake the inhaler between puffs. You can repeat this after 10 minutes if it has not been effective. Seek urgent medical help if your acute asthma attack is not getting better.
Before using your inhaler it is important to breathe as slowly as possible. Following this, follow the steps below:
- Stand or sit upright
- Remove the Ventolin inhaler mouthpiece cover, gently squeezing the sides with your thumb and forefinger to pull apart
- Shake the inhaler four/five times
- Hold the Ventolin inhaler upright, with the thumb on the base below the mouthpiece
- Breathe out as far as comfortable
- Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, between your teeth and close your lips around it
- Breathe in through your mouth and then press down on the top of the canister (whilst still breathing in steadily and deeply
- Hold your breath and remove the inhaler from your mouth
If you need to take another puff, wait about a minute and a half, and always replace the mouthpiece cover following use.
Young users may need help to operate the inhaler.
Weak handed users may find it easier to hold the inhaler with both hands.
You should test your Ventolin inhaler for the first time to ensure that it is working correctly. Please follow these simple steps:
- Remove the Ventolin inhaler mouthpiece cover, gently squeezing the sides with your thumb and forefinger to pull apart.
- Shake well
- Point the Ventolin mouthpiece away from you and press the canister (releasing two puffs)
If you have not used the Ventolin inhaler for five or more days, release two puffs of medicine, in the steps described above.
To stop your Ventolin inhaler from blocking, it is important to clean it at least once a week. To clean your Ventolin inhaler, follow the steps below:
- Remove the metal canister and mouthpiece cover
- Rinse the plastic casing thoroughly under running warm water
- Dry the plastic casing thoroughly inside and out
- Replace the metal canister into the plastic casing and mouthpiece cover.
Do not put the metal canister in water.
Talk to a doctor as soon as possible. Upon taking more Ventolin than you should, the following may happen:
- Your heart may beat faster
- Feel shaky
- Hyperactivity
In normal cases, these effects will wear off in a few hours.
Take the dose as soon as you remember to.
Do NOT take a double dose of a Ventolin inhaler.
As with any form of medication, using a Ventolin inhalert has side effects. For a full list of side effects, please read the Patient Information Leaflet of the Ventolin inhaler. Below are a few of the common side effects of using a Ventolin inhaler:
- Feeling shaky
- Headache
For a full list of side effects, please read the Patient Information Leaflet of the Ventolin inhaler.
Keep your Ventolin inhaler out of the sight and reach of children. Store the Ventolin inhaler below 30°C, and protect from frost and direct sunlight.
If the inhaler gets cold, take the metal canister out of the plastic container and warm it in your hands. Do not heat the Ventolin inhaler from any other source.
Do not puncture, break or burn the canister, even when empty.
Do not use your Ventolin inhaler after the expiry date, which is stated on the label and carton after ‘EXP’.
Click here for a PDF copy of the patient information leaflet
