Ventolin

What is Ventolin?

Ventolin contains the active ingredient salbutamol. Ventolin is an asthma inhaler, used as a reliever treatment. It relieves and controls asthma symptoms when you’re having an attack.

Ventolin is a type of inhaler called a bronchodilator, which just means it’s an inhaler that helps to relax your airways to make it easier to breathe when you get symptoms.

The Ventolin inhaler comes in two types: the Evohaler and the Accuhaler. They both work in the same way to relieve your symptoms, but you use them in a slightly different way.

The Evohaler looks and works more like a ‘traditional’ inhaler. The Accuhaler comes in a circle shape and to use it, you just breathe in without pressing down.

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways, making it difficult to breathe. For many people it’s little more than an annoyance that leads to shortness of breath and wheezing. For some it can be life threatening.

Asthma can be set off by many things, from pollution and infections to exercise, so each person will need to take care with these triggers to control it. The condition can be well managed with medications like Ventolin, which should be kept close to you in case an attack occurs.

How does Ventolin work?

It relaxes the airways when they’ve been irritated by an asthma trigger. That means you can breathe more easily, leading to less breathlessness, coughing and tightness in the chest.

As it’s fast-acting, Ventolin provides quick treatment of bronchospasms (when the muscles in your lungs tighten, making it harder for you to breathe). Short acting bronchodilators shouldn’t normally be used to prevent asthma, except sometimes in the case of sport induced asthma.

What doses of Ventolin are there?

The Ventolin Evohaler contains 200 puffs per inhaler. Each puff has 100 micrograms of salbutamol, the ingredient that makes the device work.

The Accuhaler contains 60 blister strips, each with dry powder containing salbutamol. When you breathe in, you inhale one of these 60 doses. Each dose has 200 micrograms of salbutamol. 

There’s a counter on the Accuhaler that tells you how many doses you have left. When you get down to five, the numbers will appear in red. This helps let you know when it’s time to order another inhaler. 

How to use Ventolin

If you’re using the Ventolin Evohaler:

• To test the inhaler before using it for the first time, shake it well and prime it by spraying it into the air four times.
• Take the mouthpiece off first and check everything is clean and clear.
• Then shake the inhaler a few times to make sure all the ingredients are mixed.
• Next, breathe out fully and hold your thumb against the base of the inhaler.
• Make a seal with your lips around the mouthpiece and breathe in.
• At the same time as you breathe in, press down on the canister to release the medicine.
• Now hold your breath for as long as you’re comfortable.
• If you’re taking two puffs, wait about thirty seconds before you start again. Put the cover back on the mouthpiece after using it.

If you’re using the Ventolin Accuhaler:

• First, open the Accuhaler. Hold the outside case with one hand. Put the thumb on your other hand on the thumb grip.
• Push your thumb as far away as possible from you. When it’s in the right place, you’ll hear a click and the mouthpiece will open.
• Point the mouthpiece towards you. Slide the lever on the side of the Accuhaler backwards until it clicks. This means a dose is in place and ready to inhale.
• Breathe out as far as you comfortably can.
• Put your lips to the mouthpiece and breathe in deeply through your mouth.
• Take the Accuhaler away from your lips.
• Hold your breath for ten seconds, or as long as you can, then breathe out slowly.
• Slide the thumb grip back to you until you feel a click. This seals the device.

How long does it take for Ventolin to work?

As Ventolin is used to treat an asthma attack, it needs to get to work quickly. It can take a few minutes before you feel its effects, but it should be noticeable almost immediately.

If you’re using it as a preventer, you might not notice any difference. This can be a good sign as it may mean it’s managing your symptoms very effectively.

Can you take too much Ventolin?

Ventolin is usually needed two to four times a day, but in certain circumstances this can increase to eight puffs within a 24-hour period. You shouldn’t exceed this though.

If you take more Ventolin than you should, you might experience unpleasant side effects. Symptoms of a Ventolin overdose include a rapid heart rate, hyperactivity and feeling shaky.
If you notice any of these symptoms you should seek immediate medical help. They should subside after a few hours, but it’s better to be cautious.