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Ventolin Accuhaler

Authored by

Dr Adam Williams

20 August 2024

What is Ventolin Accuhaler?

Ventolin Accuhaler is a quick-relief treatment for asthma. Ventolin Accuhaler contains a bronchodilator called salbutamol, which help to control symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

Description of Ventolin Accuhaler

Ventolin Accuhaler for Asthma & Breathing Problems

Asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are breathing conditions that primarily affect the lungs and can cause a range of breathing difficulties. Asthma often occurs after exposure to a trigger, however, it can happen randomly. Triggers may include common allergies to pollen or animal dander, infections, environmental changes or from exercise.

The Ventolin Accuhaler is a breath-activated dry-powered device (DPI) used to control asthma symptoms like sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and tightness in the chest. It contains salbutamol, the active ingredient. This device can act as an immediate reliever for asthma patients.

What is a Ventolin Accuhaler and how does it work?

The Ventolin Accuhaler will relax the bronchi in the lungs helping with chest tightness. The active ingredient salbutamol is a bronchodilator which relieves symptoms by relaxing the bronchi in the lungs that affect chest tightness.

An accuhaler is a breath-activated device that releases a dose of medication when you inhale from the mouthpiece. This device requires you to breathe deeply for it to release the medication. As such, it may not be suitable for all breathing conditions.

Is a Ventolin Accuhaler right for me?

If you are diagnosed with asthma, COPD or other breathing condition, you may be prescribed a Ventolin Accuhaler by a doctor or healthcare professional. However, it may not be suitable for you if you have the following:

If you are allergic to salbutamol sulfate or any other ingredients in this medicine
If you are allergic to lactose or milk protein
If your asthma is active
If you have a history of heart problems
If you have high blood pressure
If you have an overactive thyroid gland
If you are taking xanthine derivatives or steroids to treat asthma
If you are taking diuretics (water tablets)

Side Effects of Ventolin Accuhaler

All medications can cause potential side effects, below we have listed some potential side effects of the Ventolin Accuhaler. However, these do not always occur and are mostly mild in nature. But if you experience any prolonged or worrying side effects of the Ventolin Accuhaler, please discontinue the medication immediately and consult your doctor.

Common side effects include:

Feeling shaky
Headache
muscle cramps
mouth & throat irritation

How to use a Ventolin Accuhaler?

Always use a Ventolin Accuhaler exactly as prescribed by your doctor or advised by the pharmacist. The recommended starting dose for adults is one inhalation (200 micrograms) to relieve asthma, however, in presence of other factors, this may be increased or decreased accordingly as per the prescriber's clinical judgement.

For adults:

To relieve asthma - one inhalation (200 micrograms)
To prevent asthma - one inhalation (200 micrograms) 10-15 minutes before exercise or exposure to a trigger
The maximum dose is one inhalation (200 micrograms) four times a day.

Instructions:

Hold the Ventolin Accuhaler with the mouthpiece towards you and slide the lever away from you as far as it will go. You will hear a click. Do not play with this lever as it can waste medicine
Hold the accuhaler away from your mouth, breathe out as far as is comfortable. Do not breathe into your accuhaler and do not breathe in again yet.
Put the mouthpiece to your lips, breathe in steadily and deeply through the accuhaler with your mouth (not with your nose)
Remove the accuhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for about 10 seconds or as long as is comfortable. Breath out slowly
It can be taken at any time of day, with or without food
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, consult your doctor before using this medicine

Do not use your inhaler more often than the doctor told you to.

Warnings and Precautions of Ventolin Accuhaler

The Ventolin Accuhaler may not be safe if taken with other medication or recreational drugs. Please inform the prescriber if you are taking any of the listed medications.

DO NOT use the Ventolin Accuhaler:

If you are allergic to salbutamol sulfate or any other ingredients in this medicine
If you are allergic to lactose or milk protein
If you are taking xanthine derivatives or steroids to treat asthma
If you are taking diuretics (water tablets)

The above-listed warnings are not exhaustive, please consult a doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you have further questions on the use of this medication or potential interactions with other medicines.