VentolinNebules2.5 mg and 5 mg
salbutamol sulphate
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same
as yours. - If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor, nurse or
pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
- 1 What Ventolin Nebules are and what they are used for
- 2 Before you use Ventolin Nebules
- 3 How to use Ventolin Nebules
- 4 Possible side effects
- 5 How to store Ventolin Nebules
- 6 Further information
What Ventolin Nebules are and what they are used for
Ventolin Nebules contain a medicine called salbutamol. This belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators.
- Bronchodilators help the airways in your lungs to stay open. This makes it easier for air to get in and out.
- They help to relieve chest tightness, wheezing and cough.
Ventolin Nebules are used to treat breathing problems in people with asthma and other chest illnesses. They are usually given to people who suffer quite badly from these conditions when other forms of treatment do not help enough. Ventolin Nebules are also given to treat severe attacks of asthma.
A Nebule is a small plastic container that contains a liquid. The liquid is put into a machine called a nebuliser. This machine makes a fine mist for you to breathe in through a face mask.
Before you use Ventolin Nebules
Do not use Ventolin Nebules if:
- you are allergic (hypersensitive) to salbutamol sulphate or any of the other ingredients of Ventolin Nebules (listed in Section 6).
Take special care with Ventolin Nebules
Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking your medicine if:
- you have high blood pressure
- you are diabetic
- you have an overactive thyroid gland
- you have a history of heart problems such as an irregular or fast heartbeat or angina
- you use another nebuliser solution e.g. ipratropium bromide, make sure the mist does not get in your eyes. This can be prevented by using a mouthpiece instead of a face mask or goggles.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines.
Remember to take this medicine with you if you go to hospital.
In particular tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking:
- medicines for an irregular or fast heartbeat
- other medicines for your asthma.
Using Ventolin Nebules with food and drink
You can use Ventolin Nebules at any time of day, with or without food.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, might become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Ventolin Nebules are not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.
You should not drive or use machinery while using the nebuliser as this makes the mist for you to inhale.
How to use Ventolin Nebules
Always use Ventolin Nebules exactly as your doctor has told you.
You should check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Using this medicine
- do not inject or swallow the liquid. Ventolin Nebules should only be inhaled using your nebuliser
- do not let the liquid, or the mist produced by the nebuliser get into your eyes. You can wear glasses or goggles to protect them
- your doctor, nurse or pharmacist should show you how to use your medicine
- each small plastic container (Nebule) contains some liquid
- the liquid is put into a nebuliser. This makes a fine mist for you to breathe in through a face mask or mouthpiece
- use your nebuliser in a well ventilated room as some of the mist will be released into the air and may be breathed in by others.
Adults and children over 18 months
- The usual starting dose is 2.5 mg up to four times daily.
- This may be increased to 5 mg up to four times daily.
- The usual maximum dose is 5 mg four times daily.
Using your Nebules
- 1 your Nebules are in a foil tray. Do not open the foil tray until you need to use them
- 2 open the foil tray by lifting the foil lid at the red arrow and peeling it back
- 3 hold the strip of Nebules in one hand, with your other hand hold the last Nebule in the row
- 4 twist the Nebule downwards and away from you
- 5 return the remaining Nebules to the foil tray, cover the tray with the foil lid and place the tray back in the box
- 6 hold the top of the Nebule you have just removed. Twist the body to open it
- 7 put the open end of the Nebule into the nebuliser bowl and squeeze slowly. Make sure that all the contents are emptied into the nebuliser
- 8 assemble the nebuliser and use it as directed
Diluting your Nebules
- do not dilute the contents of a Nebule unless you are told to by your doctor
- if your doctor has told you to dilute the solution, empty the contents of the Nebule into the nebuliser bowl
- add the amount of sterile normal saline your doctor has told you to use
- put the top on the nebuliser bowl and shake gently to mix the contents.
If dilution is necessary then only sterile normal saline should be used.
After use
- use a fresh Nebule for each dose. Only open a new one when you are ready to use it. If there is any liquid left over, throw it away. Do not save it to use again
- throw away any solution remaining in the nebuliser bowl
- clean your nebuliser in the recommended way.
If you use more Ventolin Nebules than you should
If you use more than you should, talk to a doctor as soon as possible.
The following effects may happen:
- your heart beating faster than usual
- you feel shaky.
These effects usually wear off in a few hours.
If you forget to use Ventolin Nebules
- If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember it.
- However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose.
- Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop using Ventolin Nebules
Do not stop using Ventolin Nebules without talking to your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
If your breathing or wheezing gets worse straight after taking this medicine, stop using it immediately, and tell your doctor as soon as possible.
Like all medicines, Ventolin Nebules can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine:
Allergic Reactions (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people)
If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking Ventolin and see a doctor straight away. Signs of an allergic reaction include: swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, itchy rash, feeling faint and light headed, and collapse.
Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if:
- you feel your heart is beating faster or stronger than usual (palpitations). This is usually harmless, and usually stops after you have used the medicine for a while
- you may feel your heartbeat is uneven or it gives an extra beat
- these affect less than 1 in 10 people.
If any of these happen to you, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Do not stop using this medicine unless told to do so.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following side effects which may also happen with this medicine:
Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
- feeling shaky
- headache.
Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100 people)
- mouth and throat irritation
- muscle cramps.
Rare (affects less than 1 in 1,000 people)
- a low level of potassium in your blood
- increased blood flow to your extremities (peripheral dilatation).
Very rare (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people)
- changes in sleep patterns and changes in behaviour, such as restlessness and excitability.
The following side effects can also happen but the frequency of these are not known:
- chest pain, due to heart problems such as angina. Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if this occurs. Do not stop using this medicine unless told to do so
- a condition known as lactic acidosis which may cause stomach pain, hyperventilation, shortness of breath, cold feet and hands, irregular heartbeat or thirst.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
If you think this medicine is not working well enough for you
If your medicine does not seem to be working as well as usual, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Your chest problem may be getting worse and you may need a different medicine. Do not take extra Ventolin unless your doctor tells you to.
How to store Ventolin Nebules
- Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
- Do not store above 30°C.
- Store the Nebules in the foil tray inside the carton to protect the Nebules from light.
- When you open a foil tray:
- note the date of opening
- add 3 months to this date. This will be the ‘discard after’ date
- write the ‘discard after’ date in the space provided on the foil lid
- do not use any unused Ventolin Nebules remaining from that foil tray after the ‘discard after’ date, return them to your pharmacist for destruction.
- If the foil tray has not been opened, do not use Ventolin Nebules after the expiry date, which is stated on the carton, labels and foil trays after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- If you are told to stop taking this medicine return any unused Ventolin Nebules to your pharmacist to be destroyed.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Further information
What Ventolin Nebules contains
- The active substance is salbutamol sulphate.
- Ventolin Nebules 2.5 mg:
each 2.5 ml Nebule contains 2.5 mg of salbutamol (as salbutamol sulphate).
- Ventolin Nebules 5 mg:
each 2.5 ml Nebule contains 5 mg of salbutamol (as salbutamol sulphate).
- The other ingredients are salt (sodium chloride), sulphuric acid and water.
What Ventolin Nebules looks like and contents of the pack
Each foil tray contains 5 Ventolin Nebules.
Each carton contains 20 Ventolin Nebules.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Glaxo Wellcome UK Limited trading as:
Manufacturer
Other formats:
To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, free of charge:
0800 198 5000 (UK only)
Please be ready to give the following information:
Product name: Ventolin Nebules 2.5 mg, Ventolin Nebules 5 mg Reference number: 10949/0086
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Leaflet date: January 2008
Ventolin, Nebule and Nebules are trademarks of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies
© 2008 GlaxoSmithKline group of companies
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