Ventolin

What Are Ventolin Inhalers?

Ventolin is a brand of blue reliever inhaler from GlaxoSmithKline. The inhalers contain salbutamol (also known as albuterol).

The blue inhaler is known as a "rescue" or "reliever" inhaler. It's technical name is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA).

Ventolin gets to work within 15 minutes to reduce acute asthmatic symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing and tightness of the chest.

You can only get Ventolin on prescription in the UK if you have been diagnosed with asthma or another irreversible obstruction airway condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

What Ventolin inhalers are available from our online pharmacy?

Our pharmacy stocks both the aerosol and dry powder variants of Ventolin.

Ventolin Accuhaler 200 mcg - This is a round inhaler which administers salbutamol as a dry powder.

Ventolin Evohaler 100 mcg - An aerosol inhaler which dispenses a dose of salbutamol when the canister is depressed.

If you are unsure which Ventolin is suitable for you, speak to your doctor.

How Does Ventolin Work?

All Ventolin inhalers contain an active ingredient called Salbutamol sulphate, which is a short-acting beta-2 agonist.

When taken, Ventolin stimulates receptors in the lungs to provide relief from bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways of the lungs).

"When an asthma attack strikes, the airways become inflamed which makes it difficult to breathe. If left untreated, an attack can be potentially fatal. Salbutamol inhalers can help treat an attack by opening the airways, allowing the patient to breathe easily." Mohamed Imran Lakhi, Superintendant Pharmacist.

As a result, the muscles in the lungs will begin to relax, allowing the airways to open up and make breathing easier.

When the airways in the lungs become tight, it can cause wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

How long does Ventolin take to work?

Ventolin can provide immediate relief from asthma symptoms, bronchitis, COPD or other lung diseases.

While the speed of Ventolin's effectiveness differs from person to person, you can expect to feel relief from asthma symptoms within minutes.

The effects of Ventolin usually last for around 5 hours.

Where Can I Buy Ventolin Inhalers Online?

You can order Ventolin inhalers online if you have a prescription from your doctor. If you haven’t been prescribed Ventolin, accredited online pharmacies with doctoring services, like Prescription Doctor, can issue a Ventolin prescription for you.

To begin your order, simply fill out our online medical form. We will pass this to one of our registered prescribers for review.

Once our medical providers have decided that Ventolin is suitable for you, a prescription will be issued for our UK pharmacy to dispense and dispatch to a verified UK address.

All orders approved by 3pm on weekdays will be delivered in discreet packaging the next day. Orders placed after 3pm or over the weekend will not be dispatched until the following weekday.

As a registered UK Pharmacy, you can expect to receive an authentic product which is overlooked by a dedicated pharmacy team.

Who Can Use Ventolin?

Ventolin can be prescribed to patients four years of age and older. However, our online prescribing service is only available for those aged 18 or over.

If you are below the age of 18, our medical team advise you to speak to your doctor for advice.

You should also let your medical provider know if you are taking any other medications that could interfere with the active ingredients in Ventolin.

How To Use Ventolin Inhalers?

Always use Ventolin as instructed by your health provider.

Ventolin is available as a dry powder as Ventolin Accuhaler, or an aerosol as Ventolin Evohaler. Your doctor will determine which one is most suitable for you.

To relieve acute asthma symptoms, you should begin with 1 or 2 puffs of Ventolin. Your doctor or asthma nurse will tell you how many puffs of Ventolin you need to take and when you should take it.

For exercise induced asthma, your doctor may recommend you take 1 or 2 puffs of Ventolin 15 to 30 minutes before exercising.

The maximum dosage for adults is 8 puffs within 24 hours.

Ventolin is usually taken at the onset of asthmatic symptoms. Speaking to your doctor about when your asthma symptoms arise can be useful in managing your condition.

If you are unsure how much Ventolin you are supposed to take, ask your doctor or asthma nurse.

When using Ventolin Evohaler for the first time, test first it to ensure that it is working. This is done by shaking it well and then releasing two puffs with the mouthpiece positioned away from your face.

1. When you are ready to administer the first dose, start off by taking in a slow and deep breathe.
2. Sit upright or stand up when you release the medication.
3. For effective results, breathe in through your mouth when administering the medication. This helps the medicine to reach your lungs.
4. Hold your breath for up to 10 seconds before slowly breathing out. Repeat for as many doses as required.

You can view video tutorials of correct inhaler technique here.

Can I use Ventolin inhalers with a spacer?

Spacers are used in conjunction with aerosol inhalers to make them easier to take during an asthma attack and they help to get the medicine directly to your lungs.

Instead of needing to time your breath with depressing the canister of the Ventolin inhaler, you simply administer the dose into the spacer and breathe through it to take the medicine at your own pace.

Some models of spacer come with masks which fit over your nose and mouth.

You can use a spacer, such as an Aerochamber or Volumatic, with Ventolin Evohalers and other aerosol inhalers.

You cannot use a spacer with Ventolin Accuhaler or other dry powder inhalers.

Discuss with your doctor, asthma nurse or a pharmacist about the benefits of using a spacer and how to use them effectively.

How to use Ventolin with a spacer (Aerochamber or Volumatic)

1. Firstly, shake the inhaler.
2. Remove the cap from the mouthpiece of the inhaler and push the mouthpiece into the end of the spacer. Ensure a tight seal between the mouthpiece of the inhaler and the spacer you are using.
3. Place the mouthpiece of the spacer between your teeth but don't bite it. Close your mouth around the mouthpiece of the spacer to ensure a tight seal.
4. Sit or stand up straight and raise your chin slightly. This will help the medicine reach your lung.
5. Depress the canister of the inhaler to administer the dose into the spacer.
6. Your doctor will advise you on which technique to use in order to inhale the medicine. If you are unsure which method to use, ask your doctor or asthma nurse.
   • If your doctor has suggested using the tidal or multiple breath technique, breathe in and out steadily through the spacer 5 times.
   • If your doctor has suggested the single breath and hold technique, take one deep single breath in through the spacer until your lungs feel full. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, or as long as feels comfortable.
7. 7. Once you have administered the dose(s), remove the mouthpiece from your mouth.
8. 8. Remove the mouthpiece of the inhaler from the spacer. Put the cap back onto the mouthpiece of the inhaler. If your spacer has a cap, such as the Aerochamber, replace the cap over the mouthpiece and store it somewhere safe.

From time to time, you will need to clean the spacer you are using. In most cases, rinsing the spacer with water and leaving it to dry out will be sufficient. For specific information on cleaning your spacer devices, read the patient information leaflet or ask your pharmacist.

Ventolin Side Effects and Cautions

Before you use your Ventolin inhaler, it is important to familiarise yourself with the information found within the patient information leaflet.

If you have any questions about anything you read within the patient information leaflet, speak to your doctor or ask a pharmacist for help.

Allergies

Do not use Ventolin if you are allergic to salbutamol or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Chest tightening
• Dry, red and cracked skin
• Itchy, red watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, eyes or face
• Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Wheezing

Cautions

Tell your doctor or the pharmacist before using Ventolin if you have:

• High blood pressure
• An overactive thyroid gland (Hyperthyroidism)
• History of heart problems

Ventolin should be used with caution if you:

• have diabetes
• have known tachyarrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
• have a coronary heart disease
• have arterial hypertension (also known as PAH)
• have thyrotoxicosis
• take of cardiac glycosides (Digoxin)
• have hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s important to seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist about using Ventolin.

Side effects

Like all medications, Ventolin has the potential of causing side effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Common Ventolin side effects include:

• A headache
• Tremors (feeling shaky)
• Tachycardia (increased heart rate)

Uncommon Ventolin side effects include:

• Irritation of the throat
• Muscle cramps
• Palpitations
• Mouth and throat irritations
• A decrease in potassium levels (Hypokalaemia)
• High levels of blood flow to your extremities

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. For further information regarding the use and safety of Ventolin, including instructions on proper maintenance of your inhaler, please refer to the appropriate patient information leaflet (PIL):

Ventolin Accuhaler - Patient Information Leaflet (PDF)

Ventolin Evohaler - Patient information Leaflet (PDF)

If you experience any side effects, regardless of whether they are listed above or in the patient information leaflet, inform your doctor or a pharmacist as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional resources

Types of asthma triggers

How to cope with asthma

Where can I buy Ventolin Inhalers?

How many puffs of Ventolin is safe?

What to do after an asthma attack?

What to do if someone is having an asthma attack?