What is Ventolin used for?
Ventolin (active ingredient albuterol) is classified as a bronchodilator. It works to relax muscles in the airways in order to increase air flow to the lungs.
Ventolin is prescribed for the treatment of bronchospasm, or narrowing of airways in the lungs. This is usually an issue for people with asthma or certain variations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also used to help prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Ventolin is to be used by adults as well as children over 4 years of age.
Ventolin Information
How to Use Ventolin?
Use your Ventolin inhaler exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label and ensure you read the medication guides every time you refill your prescription.
Carefully read and follow any use instructions that come with your Ventolin. Never allow a young child to use Ventolin without help from an adult.
If you use Ventolin for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm, use Ventolin about 15-30 minutes prior to exercising. The effects of Ventolin usually last for 4-6 hours.
If your breathing problems worsen quickly, or if you think your asthma medications are not working as well seek immediate medical attention.
Always use the new inhaler device that is provided with your refill. Never try floating a medication in water to see if it’s empty.
Your dosage needs can change for many reasons including: illness, surgery, recent asthma attacks, or stress. Do not change your dose or schedule of dosing without talking to your doctor first.
Store Ventolin at room temperature and keep away from extreme heat or cold as well as moisture. Ventolin should be stored with the mouthpiece down.
What are the drug interactions with Ventolin?
Drug interactions with Ventolin may affect how your medications function, or can bring about an increase of side effects.
Ventolin interacts with the following medications:
This is not a full list of every medication Ventolin interacts with. For this reason, you should always keep your doctor up to date with a list of the medications you’re taking. This list should include prescription, non-prescription, and herbal products you take as well as vitamins. If you have any questions regarding drug interactions you can reach out to our pharmacists for counselling at 1-844-416-4282.
What are Side Effects of Ventolin?
As well as the required side effects, Ventolin’s active ingredient albuterol can cause unwanted side effects. Though not all of these side effects may occur, if they do, they might need medical attention.
Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience the following side effects:
More common
- Shakiness in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- Trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
Less common
- Fast, pounding, racing, or irregular, heartbeat or pulse
Rare
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Hives or welts
- Hoarseness
- Noisy breathing
- Redness of the skin
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rash
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Swelling of the mouth or throat
- Tightness in the chest
- Wheezing
Incidence not known
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Arm, back, or jaw pain
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Extra heartbeats
- Fainting
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Irritability
- Lightheadedness
- Mood or mental changes
- Muscle pain or cramps
- Muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
- Nervousness
- Nightmares
- Pounding in the ears
- Restlessness
- Sudden loss of consciousness
- Sweating
- Total body jerking
- Unusual feeling of excitement
- Vomiting
There are some Ventolin side effects that might occur that don’t usually require medical attention. These side effects will usually be mild and will usually go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medication. Your doctor may also be able to give you information on how to avoid or reduce some of these Ventolin side effects.
Talk to your doctor if the following side effects become bothersome:
Less common
- Dizziness
- Feeling of warmth
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Sleeplessness
- Trouble with holding or releasing urine
- Trouble sleeping
- Unable to sleep
Rare
- Sleepiness
- Unusual drowsiness
Incidence not known
- Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- Change in taste
- Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- Gagging
- Rough, scratchy sound to voice
- Sensation of spinning
- Tightness in the throat
This is not an exhaustive list of side effects of Ventolin. If you notice any side effects not listed above, contact your doctor immediately.