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Your Online Medical Consultation

ABOUT YOU AND YOUR SYMPTOMS

Have you previously been prescribed a salbutamol inhaler by a doctor or nurse practioner?

Have you had an asthma review in the last 12 months?

A nurse or doctor usually asks you about your symptom control, measures your peak flow, and checks you are using your inhaler correctly

What typically triggers your asthma?

Exercise, dust, hayfever, being in the cold, viral infections such as the cold, other?

Is this Asthma inhaler needed as an emergency supply?

Are you using more than one inhaler every month?

Do any of the following scenarios apply to you?

  • Using your inhaler more than 2 times per week
  • Suffering from asthma symptoms more than 2 times per week
  • Waking up due to asthma once or more per week
  • Using more than one salbutamol inhaler every 6 months

In the last year have you ever been hospitalised or had to visit A+E due to your asthma?

Please give us more details about when, what happened, any changes to your asthma medication, and how your asthma control has changed since then.

Answer ‘no’ if this does not apply to you

ABOUT YOUR HEALTH

Do you smoke?

Do you have any allergies to medication or substances?

Answer ‘no’ if this does not apply to you

Are you taking any other medication, including other inhalers and tablets for asthma, or have you recently finished a course of medication?

This includes medication prescribed by your doctor, bought in the pharmacy or online, herbal supplements, or recreations drugs.

This includes tablets, patches, inhalers, injections, contraception and all other forms of medication

Answer ‘no’ if this does not apply to you

Do you suffer from any other medical problems?

For example, diabetes, heart problems, angina, irregular heart rhythm, overactive thyroid, etc

This also includes previous admissions to the hospital or any surgeries

Answer ‘no’ if this does not apply to you

Do you have a family history of any medical conditions?

Do any medical conditions run in the family? Such as diabetes, eczema, hay fever, heart problems, blood disorders etc?

Answer ‘no’ if this does not apply to you

Are you pregnant or breast feeding, think you may be pregnant or planning to have a baby?

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW

I understand what to do should my asthma get worse

I am aware that I should seek urgent medical help if I experience the following

  • I need to use my salbutamol relieving inhaler more than 4 times a day
  • My inhaler only relieves my symptoms for 4 hours or less
  • My breathing is getting worse despite using treatment
  • I experience chest pain or chest tightness after using my inhaler

I understand that, if I already use a “preventer” medication (e.g. inhaled corticosteroid), I should continue to use it regularly even if I feel better.

AGREEMENT

We strongly recommend that you inform your GP of any treatment you receive. Would you like e-Surgery to do this in your behalf?

Please write the name of your GP surgery below if you want us to let them know.

This will ensure that any new medication started by your GP will not interact with this treatment.

Answer ‘no’ if you do not want us to inform your GP

I agree to the following

  • I am 18 years of age or older
  • This treatment is for my use only
  • I confirm that I have understood all the questions asked and have answered all questions to the best of my knowledge.
  • I have read the patient information leaflet supplied with this medication
  • I will contact e-Surgery and inform my GP if I experience any side effects from this treatment or if there are any changes to my health
  • I have answered all questions truthfully and accurately.

I have read, understood and agree to abide by terms and conditions and privacy policy and cookie policy of e-Surgery

What is this?

Your answers form the basis of your medical consultation. It is important you are open and honest, so our doctors can ensure this medication safe and effective for you

Ventolin (Salbutamol)

Ventolin (salbutamol sulfate) is an inhaler used to treat asthma. It opens up the airways making it easier to breathe. It is used for quick relief of symptoms and is otherwise known as a “reliever”.

  • To ensure good asthma control, we will only issue a maximum of 1 inhaler per month or 2 inhalers in any 8 week period. If you require an inhaler more frequently, it may be a sign you need to have your asthma reviewed.
  • If you are ordering because you have lost your inhaler, please let us know.

All prices include the cost of a private prescription from one of our GPs. 

Clear

Important Facts About Ventolin Inhalers

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.

 

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:

  1. Stand or sit upright
  2. Remove the Ventolin inhaler mouthpiece cover, gently squeezing the sides with your thumb and forefinger to pull apart
  3. Shake the inhaler four/five times
  4. Hold the Ventolin inhaler upright, with the thumb on the base below the mouthpiece
  5. Breathe out as far as comfortable
  6. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, between your teeth and close your lips around it
  7. Breathe in through your mouth and then press down on the top of the canister (whilst still breathing in steadily and deeply
  8. 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:

  1. Remove the Ventolin inhaler mouthpiece cover, gently squeezing the sides with your thumb and forefinger to pull apart.
  2. Shake well
  3. 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:

  1. Remove the metal canister and mouthpiece cover
  2. Rinse the plastic casing thoroughly under running warm water
  3. Dry the plastic casing thoroughly inside and out
  4. 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

Click here for more information about Ventolin (Salbutamol)

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