Ventolin – composition, action, dosage. How to use Ventolin?

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Ventolin is an inhalation drug to be used only after medical consultation (prescription drug). Ventolin is recommended for use in the treatment of bronchospasm or in the case of reversible airway obstruction. Read how to use and dose Ventolin and what side effects it may cause.

Ventolin — what kind of drug is it?

Ventolin (100 g / inhalation dose) is a drug (inhalation spray, suspension) which contains salbutamol. It belongs to a group of fast-acting bronchodilators. Ventolin is intended for use in adults, adolescents and children from 4 to 11 years of age.

Ventolin is recommended for use in the treatment of bronchospasm or in the case of reversible airway obstruction. The drug can be taken prophylactically before exercise by patients with exercise-induced asthma, as well as before the anticipated contact with allergens usually causing an attack of dyspnea.

Ventolin inhalation aerosol is a particularly recommended drug in the treatment of mild, moderate or severe asthma, provided that its use does not delay the start of inhaled glucocorticoid administration.

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Ventolin – mechanism of action

Salbutamol, the active ingredient in Ventolin, is a selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonist. In therapeutic doses, it stimulates beta2-adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscles of the bronchi. In reversible airway obstruction, the bronchodilator effect sets in rapidly (within 5 minutes after administration) and of a short duration (4-6 hours).

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Ventolin – use and dosage

Ventolin inhalation spray should always be used according to the doctor’s instructions.

People who have difficulties with coordinating the inhalation and the release of the drug from the inhaler can use Ventolin, an inhalation aerosol through the inhalation chamber. Children under 5 years of age can use Ventolin, an inhalation aerosol using an inhalation chamber for children.

Dosage of Ventolin for adults and adolescents from 12 years of age:

1. to stop a sudden bronchospasm, one or two inhalations (100 to 200 micrograms of salbutamol) are used,
2. prophylactically before exercise or the expected contact with the allergen, two inhalations (2 times 100 micrograms of salbutamol) are usually used 10-15 minutes before exercise or the expected contact with the allergen.

Dosage of Ventolin for children under 12 years of age:

1. one inhalation (100 micrograms of salbutamol) is used to stop sudden bronchospasm. If necessary, the dose can be increased to two inhalations (twice 2 micrograms),
2. prophylactically before exercise or the expected contact with the allergen, one inhalation (100 micrograms of salbutamol) is usually used 10-15 minutes before exercise or the expected contact with the allergen. If necessary, the dose can be increased to 2 inhalations (2 times 100 micrograms). 

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Ventolin – inhaler operation

Ventolin is placed in a pressurized container with a plastic dispenser with a mouthpiece.

Before using the Ventolin inhaler

Before the first use, check that the inhaler is working. Remove the mouthpiece cover by gently squeezing the sides of the cover with your thumb and forefinger.

To make sure that the inhaler is working, shake the inhaler vigorously, point the mouthpiece away from you and release the dose into the air.

Using the Ventolin inhaler

It is important to start breathing slowly as slowly as possible before using your inhaler.

1. Inhalation should be performed standing or sitting,
2. Remove the mouthpiece cover from the inhaler. Check the mouthpiece inside and out to make sure it is clean and free of any foreign matter.
3. Shake the inhaler 4 or 5 times to ensure that any loose objects are removed and that the contents of the inhaler are evenly mixed before use. It is important not to rush the activities listed in points 4 – 7,
4. Hold the inhaler straight with your fingers, with your thumb on the base of the inhaler, under the mouthpiece. Take a deep breath as deep as possible
5. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips tightly around it. Do not bite the mouthpiece
6. Immediately after starting to breathe in through your mouth, press down on the inhaler to release the medicine. Ventolin, then continue to take a calm deep breath in
7. Hold your breath, take the inhaler from your mouth, and take your finger from the top of the inhaler. You should hold your breath for a few seconds or as long as you don’t feel uncomfortable, then breathe out gently.
8. If your doctor has prescribed two puffs, wait about half a minute before repeating steps 3-7.
9. Always replace the mouthpiece cover after inhaling to prevent dust from entering the mouthpiece. Replace the cap by pressing it into the correct position. If you do not hear a click when you put the cap on, remove it, turn it over and try to put it back on. Do not use too much force. 

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Ventolin – contraindications

Can anyone with asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease use Ventolin? The leaflet informs that there are some contraindications. These are such comorbidities as:

1. diabetes,
2. overactive thyroid gland
3. heart failure, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy,
4. electrolyte disturbances,
5. hypersensitivity to salbutamol.

This does not mean that there is an absolute ban on the use of this drug in people suffering from these diseases. However, your doctor must check-up so that he can prescribe this medicine and determine the dose.

You should also check with your doctor before using Ventolin if you have:

1. has poorly controlled asthma (e.g., experiencing frequent or worsening of asthma, or decreased physical function). Your doctor may advise you to start or increase the dose of a medicine, e.g. an inhaled corticosteroid, to control your disease.
2. has high blood pressure
3. has an overactive thyroid gland,
4. have had heart problems in the past, such as an irregular or fast heartbeat or chest pain
5. has low levels of potassium in the blood
6. uses xanthine derivatives (e.g. theophylline) or steroids to treat asthma,
7. are taking water tablets (diuretics), sometimes used to treat high blood pressure or heart disease.

Ventolin – unwanted side effects

Ventolin can cause some unwanted side effects. Among them may / may appear:

1. skeletal muscle tremors,
2. headaches,
3. tachycardia,
4. palpitations,
5. decrease in the amount of potassium in the blood
6. hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema, urticaria, bronchospasm, drop in blood pressure and collapse.

Symptoms that require special attention

Allergic reactions:

1. skin rash (hives) or redness
2. swelling mainly of the face, lips, tongue or throat (angioedema)
3. worsening wheezing of the airways, coughing or having difficulty breathing
4. feeling suddenly weak or dizzy (may lead to a fall or loss of consciousness).

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms.

Contact a doctor immediately if the patient develops:

1. feeling your heart beating faster or harder than usual (palpitations). This is usually not serious and will go away soon after taking the medicine.
2. feeling of uneven heartbeat.

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Ventolin – pregnancy and breastfeeding

Ventolin may be used in pregnant women only when the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the possible risk to the fetus. As with most medicines, little information is available on the safety of salbutamol in women in early pregnancybut in animal studies at very high doses some foetotoxic effects have been shown.

Since salbutamol is likely to be excreted in breast milk, the use of salbutamol in breastfeeding women requires special care. It is not known whether salbutamol is harmful to the newborn, so the use of salbutamol in breastfeeding women should be limited to cases where the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the baby.

Ventolin – overdose

If you use more Ventolin than recommended, contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible for advice. Take the cardboard box of the medicine with you to show the doctor. The following symptoms may occur:

1. heart beating faster than usual
2. tremors
3. excessive excitability.

These symptoms usually disappear within a few hours.

In addition, there may be:

1. decreased potassium in the blood (hypokalaemia)
2. abdominal pain, increased lung ventilation (rapid breathing),
3. shortness of breath despite the reduction in the intensity of wheezing in the airways, cold feet and hands,
4. irregular heartbeat
5. thirst (symptoms suggestive of lactic acidosis).

Ventolin – interactions with other drugs

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, now or recently, and about any medicines you plan to take, including over-the-counter medicines. Some medicines can affect the way Ventolin works, the inhalation spray or increase the possibility of side effects. Belong to them:

1. beta-adrenergic blockers such as propranolol, used to treat high blood pressure or other heart conditions.