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About Ventolin Evohaler

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

1 or 2 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.

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, such as Ventolin Evohaler, inhaling 1 or 2 puffs 4 to 6 hourly as required. Inhaled salbutamol provides fast acting 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.

Ordering Ventolin

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

Our doctors will usually only supply 1 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 practice details when ordering.

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

How to use Ventolin

Ventolin Evohaler is a 'metered aerosol' and can be used to relieve acute asthma symptoms of chest tightness or wheeze by inhaling 1-2 puffs when required. It delivers 100mcg of salbutamol per puff when the end of the inhaler is pushed down and this is breathed into the lungs. As it is an aerosol device, the inhaler does the work of pushing the medication into the lungs and a normal breath is used to breathe the medication in. It is important not to stop the breath and to continue to breathe in steadily after the puff of medication is released and then hold your breath for 10 seconds. It is recommended you only use it up to 4 times a day unless needed for an emergency.

Ventolin Evohaler can also be used more easily with a spacer device. This is a tube, usually made of plastic, that your inhaler inserts into and the medication can be breathed in over several breaths from the other end. This enables the salbutamol to be breathed into the lungs correctly which is useful if there are issues with the technique of using the Ventolin Evohaler or during an asthma attack.

Inhaler technique is usually explained in your asthma clinic. There is a video link below for more information or see the patient information leaflet.

Video from Asthma UK: How to use a pMDI inhaler

What alternatives are there to Ventolin?

Different drug companies produce different salbutamol inhalers under various brand names. These reliever inhalers, which usually 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.

Most salbutamol inhalers release a puff of salbutamol when the end of the pressurised canister in an applicator is pushed down. 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 and Ventolin Accuhaler.

Cautions

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

Ventolin side-effects

The more common 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 side-effects (1 in 100 people) include:
Mouth and throat irritation, and muscle cramps.

Allergic reactions to Ventolin are rare (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people). If wheezing or breathing gets worse straight after taking Ventolin stop using it immediately, and tell your doctor as soon as possible.

More information on less common side effects of salbutamol can be found in the manufacturer's patient information leaflet supplied with the medication.

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