Name

Ventolin (Salbutamol)

Application

Ventolin is used to treat or prevent breathing problems in patients with asthma or some other respiratory diseases. It can be used to prevent breathing problems caused by exercise. It can also be used for other treatment purposes as prescribed by your doctor.

Mode of application

For the treatment of asthma with symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest, the usual dose is:

• Adults: One or two doses to relieve symptoms or two doses of 10-15 minutes before exercise
• Children: One or two doses to relieve symptoms or 10-15 minutes before exercise

Usually  8 doses are taken within 24 hours.

Regular treatment:

• Adults and children: two breaths up to 4 times a day.

Mechanism of action

Ventolin is sympathomimetic (beta-agonist) bronchodilator. It works by relaxing the smooth muscles in the airways which allows air to flow into and out of the lungs more easily.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of Ventolin and you are taking it regularly, use it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if the time is approaching for the next dose, do not take a double dose. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Storage

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

Precautions

Do not use Ventolin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Ventolin Aerosol;
• you are using another short-acting bronchodilator simpatomimetikovy (e.g. metaproterenol).

Contact your doctor immediately if any of the contraindications apply to you.
Some medicines may interact with Ventolin Aerosol. Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions, especially from the list below, that apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding;
• If you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation or dietary supplements;
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods or other substances;
• if you have heart problems (e.g. rapid or irregular heartbeat), blood vessel problems, high blood pressure or low levels of potassium in the blood;
• If you have a history of seizures, diabetes, hyperactivity, thyroid, kidney, adrenal gland or tumor (pheochromocytoma);
• If you have ever had an unusual reaction to another sympathomimetic drugs (e.g. pseudoephedrine);
• if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (e.g. phenelzine) or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline) or if you have been taking any of these drugs in the last 14 days.

Some medicines may interact with Ventolin Aerosol. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially from the list below:

• Diuretics (e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) as the risk of low potassium levels in the blood may be increased;
• Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (e.g. entacapone), MAOIs (e.g. phenelzine), short-acting bronchodilators (e.g. metaproterenol), stimulants (e.g. amphetamine), sympathomimetics (e.g. pseudoephedrine) or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline) as they may increase the risk of exposure to Ventolin Aerosol;
• Beta-blockers (e.g. propranolol) as they may decrease the effectiveness of the drug;
• Digoxin as its effectiveness may be reduced by taking Ventolin Aerosol.

Side effects

Consult your doctor if any of the most common side effects persist or become frequent:

• cough, headache, nausea, nervousness, sinus inflammation, pain or dryness in the throat, tremor, trouble sleeping, unusual taste in the mouth and vomiting.

Contact your doctor immediately if any of the serious side effects occur:

• Severe allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, shortness of breath, chest tightness, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, worsening of breathing problems, knock on the chest, severe headache or dizziness, unusual hoarseness and wheezing.

Additional information

Ventolin should not be taken with beta-blockers such as atenolol, propranolol or timolol as beta-blockers have an opposite effect with respect to the drug and cause narrowing of the airways. This can lead to breathing difficulties in people with asthma or COPD. The problem does not occur in the eye drops containing beta-blockers which are used for glaucoma.