VENTOLIN and VENTOLIN FORTE
INHALER
Salbutamol Inhaler 100, 200 mg
per actuation
What does my Ventolin inhaler
do?
Your Ventolin Inhaler helps you
to breathe more easily. When your chest is tight or when you
are wheezing, the Ventolin opens up the breathing tubes in
your lungs. Your medicine is known as a bronchodilator.
Because your Ventolin Inhaler gives fast relief from your
chest symptoms, it is often called a 'reliever puffer'.
Some people start wheezing or
their chest starts to feel tight when they exercise. This is
called exercise-induced asthma. If you have exercise-induced
asthma, your doctor may tell you to take one or two puffs of
your Ventolin Inhaler before you exercise. This can
help to prevent the symptoms of exercise-induced
asthma.
Before you use your
inhaler
Tell your doctor:
- the names of all other
medicines you are already taking, including those from the
pharmacy and supermarket
- if you have had to stop taking
this or any other asthma medicine
- if you are allergic to any
medicine, foods, dyes or preservatives
- if you are having treatment
for a thyroid problem
- if you are having treatment
for high blood pressure
- if you have a heart problem
- if you have a liver problem
- if you have a kidney problem
When you must NOT use your
Ventolin inhaler
- Do not use your Ventolin
Inhaler if you have ever had an allergic reaction to
salbutamol or any of the other ingredients in your inhaler.
- Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or breast feeding. Your doctor will tell you if you
should take your medicine. It is important that asthma is
managed well during pregnancy and you should not stop your
medicine without asking your doctor first.
- Do not use your Ventolin
Inhaler to control premature labour.
Using your Ventolin
inhaler
You will find the instructions on
how to use Ventolin Inhaler in the pack. Follow the
instructions carefully
The pharmacist's label will
usually tell you how many puffs to take and how often to use
your Ventolin Inhaler. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or
pharmacist. If your chest condition suddenly gets worse, your
doctor may tell you to take extra puffs of your Ventolin
Inhaler. If you take extra puffs and do not get relief, tell
your doctor immediately.
You should visit your doctor or
pharmacist regularly to check that you are using your Ventolin
Inhaler in the right way. If you are not breathing the
medicine in correctly, the medicine may not be helping you as
much as it could.
If you find it difficult to breathe in and use your
Ventolin Inhaler at the same time, talk to your doctor or
pharmacist. It may be better for you to use something called a
large volume spacer, such as a VolumaticÔ , with your Ventolin Inhaler. Your doctor or
pharmacist will explain to you what this is and how to use
it.
What should I do if my Ventolin
inhaler does not have the usual effect?
IMPORTANT: If your breathing
suddenly becomes more difficult just after you have used your
Ventolin Inhaler, tell your doctor immediately.
If your Ventolin Inhaler does not
help your breathing as much as usual, tell your doctor as soon
as possible. If the effect of your Ventolin Inhaler does not
last as long as usual or lasts less than 3 hours, tell your
doctor as soon as possible. These may be signs that your chest
condition is getting worse.
Your doctor may decide to add
another medicine to your treatment if your Ventolin Inhaler is
not having the same effect as before.
Side-Effects
Like all other medicines, your
Ventolin Inhaler may cause some side effects. Most of the
side-effects will be minor and temporary, but some may be
serious. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to answer any
questions you may have.
If you have any of the following
side effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist but do not stop
using your Ventolin Inhaler:
Common side-effects
- headache
- nausea
- shaky or tense feeling
- your heart beats faster than
usual
- 'warm' feeling (caused by
blood vessels expanding under the skin)
- mouth or throat irritation.
Rare side-effects
- muscle cramps
- hyperactivity in children
If you have a hypersensitivity
reaction, for example, skin rash, angioedema (sudden swelling
under the skin), shortness of breath or wheeziness or you feel
faint or dizzy, you should stop using your Ventolin Inhaler
and tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
In a few people, the medicine in
Ventolin Inhaler may affect their blood potassium levels. Your
doctor may do tests to check this.
If you have any other problems
after using your Ventolin Inhaler, tell your doctor or
pharmacist.
What if I take too many puffs of
my Ventolin inhaler (overdose)
You should only take the number
of puffs that you have been told.
If you have used too much of your
medicine, immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Centre
for advice (03 474 7000), even if there are no signs of
discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical
attention.
Keep telephone numbers for these
places handy.
If you are not sure what to do,
contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Storage
Keep your Ventolin Inhaler in a
place where children cannot reach it.
Keep your Ventolin Inhaler away
from frost. Do not put it in the refrigerator.
Keep your Ventolin Inhaler away
from bright sunlight.
Keep your Ventolin Inhaler away
from heat (store below 30°C). Do not leave it in the car on
hot days.
In very cold places, your
Ventolin Inhaler may become very cold. To warm it, pull out
the metal can from its plastic holder and warm it in your hand
for a few minutes. Do not warm the can in any other way. Push
the can firmly back into its holder before using.
You will find an expiry (or use
by) date on the label of the metal can. Do not use your
Ventolin Inhaler after this date.
Glaxo Wellcome inhalers are
designed to give out a metered dose of medication until they
are empty.
You can estimate the number of
doses left in the inhaler by shaking it, calculating
approximately the number of doses that have been used, or
keeping a record of the number of doses you have used
up.
On average, Glaxo Wellcome
includes 10% more active doses in each inhaler than is
specified on the label.
Floating the inhaler in water to
estimate the amount of doses left in the inhaler is not
recommended. Water may enter the valve in the inhaler, which
may affect the accuracy of later doses. The humidity from the
water may also encourage bacteria to grow in the
valve.
You should always carry a spare
inhaler.
If your doctor tells you to stop
using your Ventolin inhaler or the product has passed its
expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any Ventolin
left over.
WARNING: The metal can is
pressurised. Do not burn it or puncture it, even when it is
empty.
What should I do if I forget a
dose?
If you forget a dose, do not
worry. Just take the next dose at the normal time or earlier
if you become wheezy or feel tight in the chest.
Can I let someone else use my
Ventolin inhaler?
Your Ventolin Inhaler is only for
you. You should not give this medicine to someone
else.
Are there different types of
asthma inhalers?
Yes. Ventolin Inhaler is called a
'reliever puffer'. There are other types of inhalers that
prevent wheezing or chest tightness. These inhalers are
called 'preventer' inhalers and must be used every day. Your
doctor may tell you to use a 'preventer' inhaler in addition
to your Ventolin Inhaler.
Further Information
You can recycle the plastic
holder and cap of your Ventolin Inhaler with other plastic
things.
If you have any other questions,
ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Ingredients
The medicine in your Ventolin
Inhaler is called salbutamol. Each puff contains 100 or 200
micrograms of salbutamol. There are 200 puffs in each Ventolin
Inhaler and 100 puffs in each Ventolin Forte
Inhaler.
Your Ventolin Inhaler also
contains dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane and
oleic acid.
Manufacturer
Your Ventolin Inhaler is supplied
by:
Allen &
Hanburys
Respiratory Care Division
Glaxo
Wellcome
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