Ventolin

Ventolin salbutamol inhaler for the relief of asthma.

• 1 per month allowance
• Up-to-date asthma check-up required

Start order

Dr Fox rated 'Excellent'

Prices

About Ventolin

Ventolin Evohaler is a brand of the familiar blue inhaler used for asthma relief. Ventolin inhalers contain the active ingredient salbutamol. These inhalers relieve the tightness in the chest caused by asthma.

One or two puffs will usually relieve chest tightness for up to 6 hours. The onset of action of inhaled salbutamol is almost immediate.

Inhaled salbutamol is an 'as required' treatment. Reliever inhalers are used only when symptoms are present. Most patients use their reliever inhaler only occasionally. When asthma is well controlled there is usually little need for reliever inhalers such as salbutamol.

Dr Fox can supply by post one Ventolin Evohaler at a time after an online medical consultation. To make an order, please read important medical information and then proceed to answer medical questions.

Our doctors will usually supply only an average of one inhaler per month, although extra inhalers may be provided if there are good reasons.

Your GP must be informed about your inhaler usage and any supplies you obtain online. Dr Fox will inform your GP by letter. You will be required to provide GP surgery details when ordering.

Dr Fox online clinic does not replace regular face-to-face asthma check-ups which are normally carried out by surgeries at least every 12 months.

Ventolin side-effects

The more common salbutamol side effects tend to be dose related and tend to occur within minutes of inhalation, usually lasting a few minutes or hours. Ventolin side effects are more likely to occur with higher doses or more frequent use of inhalers.

A full list of side effects and cautions can be found in the patient information leaflet supplied with Ventolin Evohalers.

Common side effects (more than 1 in 100 people) include:
Tremor, headache, rapid heartbeat can occur, all of which usually settle within minutes or hours.

Uncommon, rare and very rare side-effects (1 in 100 to 1 in 10,000 people) include:
Allergic reactions including breathing difficulties, low blood pressure and collapse, low potassium, hyperactivity and agitation, palpitations (irregular heartbeat), angina (heart pain), flushing, mouth and throat irritation, muscle cramps.

People who experience increased shortness of breath or wheezing after using a salbutamol inhaler should stop their inhaler and seek immediate medical advice. The same applies to people who experience chest pain after using an inhaler.

What alternatives are there to Ventolin?

Different drug companies produce different salbutamol inhalers under various brand names. These reliever inhalers, which all contain salbutamol, are always blue in colour. Ventolin Evohaler is the best known and most widely used brand of salbutamol inhaler.

Salbutamol is usually administered in the form of an aerosol, but can be given as a fine powder or even as a vapour through a machine called a nebuliser. Dr Fox supplies only salbutamol by aerosol inhalers, either Ventolin Evohaler or Salamol Easi-Breathe inhaler.

Most salbutamol inhalers release a puff of salbutamol when the end of the pressurised canister in an applicator is pushed down (see demonstration video below). Ventolin Evohaler is an inhaler of this type. Other, less frequently used types of salbutamol inhalers, release a puff of salbutamol triggered by air being sucked in through the nozzle of the applicator (breath actuated) e.g. Salamol Easi-Breathe inhaler.

Asthma treatment

Asthma treatments vary depending on the frequency and severity of symptoms and what triggers a person's asthma. Asthma symptoms are often intermittent.

First line treatment is usually a blue reliever type inhaler containing salbutamol, one or two puffs 4 to 6 hourly as required. Inhaled salbutamol provides fast acting temporary relief. If asthma is more severe and remains uncontrolled, inhaled steroids can be added. Steroids may be needed continuously or for courses varying from a day to weeks or even months at a time. More severe asthma may require longer acting reliever inhalers and tablets including steroid tablets. Where needed smoking cessation and weight reduction will help. Breathing exercises may also be useful.

Patient information leaflet

The 'Patient Information Leaflets' supplied with medication must be read before using.

Ventolin Patient Information Leaflet