Ventolin

Ventolin is an effective treatment for asthma in Australia

Asthma is a chronic condition that is extremely widespread throughout the world, because nowadays, around 1 in 20 is asthmatic. Fortunately, research has developed many drugs (such as Ventolin) whose active ingredients are easy to use and so effective that they provide quick relief, as well as larger gaps and a reduction in attacks over time.

Meanwhile, here is a small reminder of the various existing treatments and their range of action. Because, before you buy Ventolin it is essential to be well informed in order to avoid all risks associated with this treatment!

The various treatments for asthmatics

Pharmaceutical companies have developed two main types of treatment to relieve asthma sufferers and allow them to live without major constraints in everyday life.

On one hand, there are preventative treatments. These preventative drugs are designed to reduce the risk that a possible asthma attack triggers, by acting in advance, directly on the asthmatic’s immune system.

On the other hand, there are also many so-called “relief” treatments, which, as their name suggests, can quickly relieve the main symptoms of asthma, when they are actually happening.

Ventolin used to relieve, but also to prevent asthma attacks

Ventolin is one of the most effective treatments against asthma attacks, and it is, therefore, natural that it has become the most recommended treatment by professionals over the years. Its popularity comes from its double range of action.

Indeed, it is primarily considered a relieving treatment, which means that its active ingredient is extremely effective when an attack, or increased difficulty breathing, begins to appear.

However, many experts also recommend the use of Ventolin as a preventative treatment to delay and ward off asthma attacks whenever possible.

Therefore, it has a dual field of action, acting both as a preventative treatment and as a relieving treatment, which has made Ventolin so popular with widespread use by people with asthma.

Note that it’s very compact format, which is easily transportable, is another advantage of this medication. This explains why it is praised by the medical profession and why it enjoys a great reputation among patients.

Furthermore, a positive side of Ventolin is its ability to act quickly on asthmatic symptoms, (the individual can feel the benefits of Ventolin in minutes, and can quickly calm the attack) but it is also long-lasting (the active ingredient is still in the body 5 to 6 hours after the administration of a dose).

What is Ventolin Salbutamol?

Ventolin is a treatment for asthma developed by GlaxoSmithKline. This drug is a bronchodilator, whose active ingredient acts directly at the source of the asthmatic problem, the bronchi. By releasing the “bronchial” muscle fibres, Ventolin increases their size.

This relaxation stops contraction in the lungs in a very short time, which is a characteristic symptom and one of the most troublesome during an asthma attack. The bronchial tubes are expanded and a larger volume of air can pass into the lungs, which can quickly relieve the individual in crisis and can restore normal breathing within minutes.

Due to the effectiveness of its active ingredient, Ventolin is a drug that is not only recommended for treating asthma and the attacks that accompany this disease, but it is also recommended for treating other respiratory diseases such as emphysema, various bronchitis and even pneumonia.

Salbutamol, the powerful active ingredient in Ventolin

If Ventolin is so effective, it is thanks to its active ingredient, Salbutamol. This is this molecule that confers the bronchodilator effect to the Ventolin, and which, in a very short space of time allows relief of bronchospasms. This is how it stops asthma attacks.

In general, Salbutamol is prescribed to patients as an inhaler, because its action time is fastest in this form, as it acts directly on the bronchi’s smooth muscle. However, there are other less common forms such as syrup, especially for people that cannot support daily use of an inhaler (for example, those who show violent coughing fits).

Also, be aware that Salbutamol is considered a doping product. Particularly widespread in cycling (8 out of 10 professional cyclists have already resorted to taking Salbutamol without respiratory inflammation), and it is not uncommon that these athletes are tested positive and sentenced to a suspension following the acquisition of the active ingredient.

It is, therefore, necessary to pay attention to the way you make use of it if you are a top athlete. Be aware that making a specific, reasoned request to the French Agency arguing against doping, it is possible to obtain a competing use permit.

Salbutamol is, therefore a powerful active ingredient and the uses and doses should be carefully monitored by your doctor, to not risk overdosing and affecting your health.

When should I use this treatment?

This treatment is usually prescribed in the case of: an asthma attack; an acute asthma attack; premature labour (because Salbutamol allows—in addition to a relaxation of the bronchi—a relaxation of the uterus which simplifies the birthing process); or when an excess of potassium is found in the blood of the patient (known as hyperkalaemia).

So, Ventolin is a drug mostly recommended for people suffering from asthma, whether severe or even in an undeveloped stage.

However, be aware that doctors tend to link this drug with other bronchodilator treatments such as corticosteroids or oxygen therapy, for better efficiency in case of a serious or acute attack. For example, when one of them leads to a patient’s emergency hospitalisation.

The main use of Ventolin is to significantly reduce coughing during asthma attacks, as well as difficult or painful breathing, through the relaxation of the bronchial muscle, allowing air to rush into the lungs as normal.

In some people who suffer from tachycardia when an attack occurs, Ventolin also lowers the heart rate from rapid to normal.

In case of emergency

If an asthmatic individual feels the first symptoms of the imminent arrival of an acute attack, it is imperative to call emergency services and be hospitalised quickly. Indeed, in the case of a severe or acute attack, a single dose of Ventolin will probably not suffice to alleviate the bronchial tubes and allow the patient to quickly regain normal breathing.

Moreover, it is impossible today to accurately predict the date and time of the next asthma attack because they are triggered spontaneously and randomly. It is for this reason that the size of Ventolin is suitable for asthmatics, as they can carry it with them at all times in its very compact form. If an attack occurs, it is necessary to be able to grab your Ventolin quickly without searching for it for a few minutes, which can be very painful for the individual.

When should Ventolin not be used?

In addition to the precautions listed below, Ventolin is not recommended for patients with hypersensitivity to the active ingredient, or to any other substance in its composition. Intolerance is manifested mainly through coughs and involuntary contractions of the bronchi. If these symptoms occur, treatment should be discontinued immediately.

To ensure that your body is compatible with regular Ventolin use, we advise that you speak to a doctor. The latter will be able to identify potential problems—unique to each individual—to taking this treatment, by using a comprehensive questionnaire.

How do you use Ventolin?

In this part, we will focus on taking Ventolin in its most common form, i.e. with a metered dose inhaler. This form of administration is equally suitable for adults, children and even in some cases, infants.

1. Take the lid off the Ventolin tip
2. Shake the bottle of your metered dose inhaler
3. Put the Ventolin in a horizontal position, facing your mouth
4. Exhale deeply, and empty your lungs
5. Inhale the whole dose with your mouth around the tip of the inhaler, by pressing the top button

For those wanting more detailed information on the steps, here is a video summarising all of these gestures:

Warning: if you have purchased this product, it is advisable to press the button twice (the equivalent of two doses) while holding it away from the face. Repeat this process if you have not used your Ventolin for over 15 days.

If you forget to take your dose of Ventolin, do not panic! What you absolutely must not do is take two doses at once with the intention of offsetting the missed dose. If you do this, you are at risk of an overdose! Take your usual dose normally, without adding one unnecessarily. On the other hand, if you realise quickly that you have forgotten a dose, it is possible to safely take the Ventolin dose with just a slight shift in schedule.

What doses should I take?

In the case of “slight” difficulty breathing:

If you experience difficulty breathing, a dose of 1 to 2 puffs of Ventolin should be enough to improve your breathing. However, if discomfort still exists after several minutes, you should repeat the intake of 1-2 doses of this anti-asthmatic treatment.

Generally, an adult should repeat these doses between 6 and 10 times a day. It is important not to exceed 15 puffs in 24 hours, in which case it is possible to overdose and therefore suffer the associated complications. If you find that these 15 puffs a day are not enough for you, you should talk to your doctor quickly, to consider additional treatment to Ventolin.

In the case of a severe or acute attack:

Remember, if an acute attack occurs, it is necessary to call emergency services immediately. Pending their arrival, you can administer yours 2 to 6 puffs of Ventolin. Repeat every 5 to 10 minutes while waiting for rescue.

For kids:

Concerning children over 6 years old with periodic respiratory problems, one puff is usually sufficient to restore normal breathing. This should be repeated 4 times a day on average (two times less than adults). The key challenge is to teach your child to use Ventolin properly on their own.

To do this, explain in detail and supervise your child’s first dose. It may be necessary to help in the early days.

Precautions of use

In general, it is highly advisable to consult a doctor before first taking Ventolin, however in some cases, administration can be very serious for the health of the individual, which is why it is necessary to consult a health professional if you find yourself in one of the following cases:

Pregnancy

It is absolutely necessary in this case to consult the advice of a doctor. Indeed, the use of Ventolin and absorption of its active ingredient can be harmful to the foetus, as it causes an increase in heart rate.

Cardiac disorders

The use of this drug should be monitored when the patient suffers from previously identified heart or blood pressure problems.

Epilepsy

If you have ever suffered an epileptic seizure, it is necessary to consult a doctor before taking Ventolin.

Lactic acidosis

If a test prior to your first dose of Ventolin shows an excess of lactic acid in your body.

In addition, many cases of overdose have been reported following a poor decision, or a decision not recommended by a doctor for treatment. In case of an overdose, immediately contact the emergency services or a poison control centre near you, if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Rapid and abnormal development of an uncontrollable nervousness: uncontrolled shaking of your limbs, difficulty speaking and breathing, dry mouth.
• Development of a heart attack: severe pain in the chest, tightness in the chest, tachycardia.
• Development of gastric problems and dizziness: severe nausea, vomiting, dizziness potentially leading to a temporary loss of consciousness, inability to stand up.
• Development of seizures

Storing Ventolin

Ventolin has a shelf life of 2 years. Before taking your treatment, make sure you read the expiry date and do not exceed it.

If you realise you have absorbed an outdated Ventolin, call emergency services immediately.

Ventolin is stored in a pressurised cylinder, which is, therefore subject to the same rules as other drugs of this kind. That is, it is not advisable to:

• Expose it to a high temperature, not exceeding 30°C
• Expose it to the sun
• Expose it to fire, even when the container is completely empty
• Pierce it (for risk of a small explosion)

What are the side effects of Ventolin?

Ventolin is not considered a high-risk drug, however, each individual is different, and reactions to treatment, even minor, can be very variable. Concerning Ventolin, the main side effects that have been reported are:

If these effects persist and become a handicap in everyday life, you must consult a doctor quickly. The latter can then advise you on whether or not to take Ventolin. If the answer is negative, he may refer you to other solutions with similar advantages, but that are more appropriate to your body.

Other medicines and Ventolin?

Like most prescription drugs, you should tell your doctor which other medicines you are taking that could interact with Salbutamol.

Read the full list on Ventolin patient information leaflet.

How do I buy Ventolin Online & in Australia?

Salbutamol is a treatment subject to medical prescription. Like all treatments of this class, you must have a valid prescription to obtain the drug.

Buy Ventolin in an Australian pharmacy

For this, you can simply make an appointment with your doctor. This is the most conventional way: after a check-up and an examination of your health history, your doctor will confirm whether the use of the treatment involves any risk to your health. After that, the next step is to go to a pharmacy to buy Ventolin. This approach, although the most typical, is sometimes considered relatively long and frustrating. In fact, people using this treatment have generally suffered from asthma since childhood. They know the treatment and use it regularly, but have to go back to the doctor to renew their order and complete their purchase in a pharmacy.

Buy Ventolin online in Australia

In recent years, people with asthma can now buy Ventolin online, directly on the internet.

In fact, some online clinics offer a medical exam online to check the patient’s health. The online consultation is done with a detailed questionnaire that the patient fills out about his condition, medical history and any medical information the doctor needs to know. Once completed by the patient, the questionnaire is then verified by a medical team who can choose whether or not to allow the patient to take the treatment. If the doctor allows the patient to take the treatment, he can buy Ventolin online and receive it 24 to 48 hours later.

The law on the purchase of prescription medication varies between countries of the European Union. In order to make sure you order Ventolin on a legal site, please check with the health agency belonging to your country.

Note that in all cases, whether by purchasing or ordering online, Ventolin has many benefits. AlfaDoc always recommends that you carry out a medical consultation with your doctor to get the prescription. If you have to go to your doctor to get the prescription, take the opportunity to also undertake a comprehensive review of your health.

What is the price of Ventolin Salbutamol online & in Australia?

As explained above, the drug requires a prescription to be purchased in pharmacies. The price of this anti-asthmatic treatment manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline labs (GSK) may be regarded by some users as relatively attractive. Regarding its price, Ventolin belonging to the class of medications available only by prescription, so pharmacies are free to apply the price they want. Also, note that the medicine is reimbursed by social security up to 65%.

• Ventolin price: Buy in an Australian pharmacy

The pharmacy prices of Ventolin can vary from £4 to £8 for an inhaler. You must also add the price of the medical consultation to this cost.

• Ventolin price: Buy Ventoline online in Australia

The price of Ventolin is relatively more expensive online, as it varies from £10 to £15 for 1 inhaler. The price of the online consultation and delivery are included in the price.

Caution: Beware of websites offering the purchase or online order with promotions claiming things such as “cheap Ventolin” or “Ventolin without prescription”. These websites offering you abnormally low prices on anti-asthma drugs are certainly counterfeit.

Note that in all cases, even if the process of purchasing or ordering online has many advantages, AlfaDoc always recommends to carry out a medical consultation with your doctor to get the prescription. If you have to go to your doctor to get the prescription, take the opportunity also to undertake a comprehensive review of your health.

[su_box title=”Sources” box_color=”#1eb0bc” radius=”0″]

• Ventolin HFA Inhalation: Webmd
• Salbutamol inhaler: Patient
• Reliever inhalers: Asthma.org
• Ventolin HFA: Drugs

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Medical review on April 2, 2017 by Dr. Davis Taylor