How to use Ventolin

Written by: Hussain Abdeh MPharm: 2211840

Published on: 04/05/2021

Updated on: 05/05/2021

Ventolin inhalers are a prescription-only medicine that contain the active ingredient salbutamol.

These inhalers are used to relieve the symptoms of asthma and other conditions that cause breathing difficulties, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They get to work quickly and their effects last for hours, meaning you can carry on with your daily life free from breathing problems.

This article will be looking at the different types of Ventolin inhalers that are available, as well as how they work, how to use them and how much they will cost you.

What is Ventolin?

Ventolin inhalers provide fast-acting and effective relief from breathing problems caused by conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

They can be used by adults and children of all ages when prescribed by a certified medical professional.

Two different types of Ventolin inhalers are available: the Ventolin Accuhaler and the Ventolin Evohaler. Both inhalers contain the same active ingredient and work to relieve the same symptoms. However, the mechanism of action and maximum dosages are different for both of them.

Further information can be found on the What Is Ventolin? page.

How does Ventolin inhaler work?

Ventolin inhalers are ‘reliever’ inhalers, which means that they should be taken when you suffer an asthma attack or breathing difficulties. The medicine within the inhaler will work to relieve your symptoms and help you to breathe normally again.

You can also take Ventolin before you exercise or come into contact with a ‘trigger’, such as dust or animal fur. Taking a dose of the medicine before these events will help to prevent you from suffering an asthma attack.

Ventolin inhalers contain the active ingredient salbutamol, which is a short-acting selective beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist. When you suffer an asthma attack, your airways start to tighten, which causes you to wheeze, cough and become breathless.

When used correctly, ventolin works by following the below process:

1. It travels down your throat to your lungs.
2. Once there, it stimulates the beta 2 receptors in your lungs.
3. This works to relax the muscles in your airways.
4. As the muscles relax, the airways open and allow you to breathe normally again.

How to use Ventolin

Always use Ventolin inhalers as you have been instructed by your doctor, pharmacist or asthma nurse. You should read the patient information leaflet and talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you have any questions or concerns.

How to use the Ventolin Evohaler:

1. Breathe as slowly as you can before you use the inhaler.
2. Make sure you are sitting upright or standing when using the inhaler.
3. Remove the mouthpiece cover and check to ensure the mouthpiece is clean and unobstructed.
4. Shake the inhaler several times to mix the contents evenly.
5. Hold the inhaler upright. Breathe out as far as you can. Do not breathe in again yet.
6. Put the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth, without biting it.
7. Breathe in through your mouth and press down on the top of the canister as you do so. This will release one puff of the medicine. Continue to breathe in deeply and steadily.
8. Hold your breath and remove the inhaler from your mouth. Hold your breath for a few seconds afterwards.
9. If you have been told to take two puffs, wait for 30 seconds before you take another puff. Repeat the previous steps when taking a second puff.
10. Replace the mouthpiece cover after use.

How to use the Ventolin Accuhaler

1. Open the Ventolin Accuhaler by holding the outer case in one hand and putting your thumb of the other hand on the thumb-grip. Push your thumb away from you until you hear a click, which means that the mouthpiece has been opened.
2. Hold the accuhaler with the mouthpiece towards you. Slide the lever away from you until you hear a click. This places a dose of the medicine in the mouthpiece.
3. Breathe out as far as you can.
4. Place the mouthpiece to your lips and breathe in deeply and steadily through your mouth.
5. Take the inhaler out of your mouth and hold your breath for about 10 seconds.
6. Breathe out slowly.
7. Close the Ventolin Accuhaler by sliding the thumb-grip back towards you until you hear a click.

We recommend watching the "how to use a inhaler" video by Asthma.org.uk

How often should you take it?

While the Ventolin Evohaler and the Ventolin Accuhaler work in the same way, the dosages differ, as does how often you can use them.

The table below provides details on how frequently all age groups should use Ventolin inhalers, as well as the maximum dose they should take in 24 hours.

Your inhaler technique and your pharmacist

Did you know that you can pop into your local community Pharmacy and ask the pharmacist to review your asthma technique? If you think that you are using your inhaler wrong and not getting the maximum benefits from it, you may need a medical professional to check that you are using the correct technique.

Your pharmacist will be able to show you the correct inhaler technique to ensure that your asthma remains well managed.

How fast does Ventolin work?

The medicine contained in Ventolin inhalers gets to work almost straight away. Your asthma symptoms should ease, and you should find it easier to breathe after just a few minutes of taking the recommended dose.

If you find that the maximum recommended dose is not enough to relieve your asthma symptoms, you should seek medical attention straight away.

The medicine will normally keep on working for between two and six hours.

The fast-acting properties of Ventolin make it a must have for any asthma sufferer or anyone who is prone to asthma attacks.

How many puffs of Ventolin is safe?

Adults should not exceed 8 puffs of ventolin within a 24-hour period. For children, a maximum of 4 ventolin puffs within 24 hours should not be exceeded.

Exceeding the recommended daily dosage will increase your risk of experiencing side effects. For more information on side effects you can read our helpful guide "ventolin side effects".

Can I use Ventolin every day?

If you are using your ventolin inhaler everyday, it is likely that you need to make better use of your preventer inhaler. Your preventer inhaler should be used on a daily basis and will reduce the need to use your ventolin inhaler every day. 

If you are using your inhaler more than 4 times per week you should speak to your doctor about using a preventer inhaler.

The cost of Ventolin

When you order a Ventolin inhaler from Medicine Direct, the price is £12.99 for one inhaler.

Ordering two inhalers at once is a cost-effective way of making sure that you always have a reliever inhaler close at hand in case you have an asthma attack. At Medicine Direct, we offer you a discount for ordering two inhalers at once. Two Ventolin Evohalers are available to buy from our pharmacy for just £18.99.

By having more than one reliever inhaler, it means that you have a spare. This allows you to keep one reliever inhaler in a safe place at home, where you can always find it easily, and also carry one with you at all times.

The cost of one year’s treatment with the Ventolin Evohaler 100 mcg equates to £21.84. The current cost of NHS prescription charges is £9.35 per-item.

Summary

Ventolin is one of the most renowned brands of asthma reliever inhalers in the UK.

When used as instructed, this salbutamol inhaler will get to work in just a few short minutes to relieve your asthma symptoms and help your breathing to return to normal.

If you have been diagnosed with a condition that affects your breathing such as asthma or COPD and prescribed a Ventolin inhaler by your GP, we can issue a repeat prescription for you to order your inhalers from our online pharmacy.

All you need to do is complete a confidential and simple online consultation questionnaire. Your answers will be checked by one of our registered doctors or pharmacists, who will make certain that this medication is safe for you to use. Once they have approved the sale of your medicine, you can then complete your purchase with our online pharmacy.

Ordering online from Medicine Direct removes the need to wait days for an appointment with your GP. Once you have completed the online consultation questionnaire, your medicine will be despatched to you swiftly, in discreet and secure packaging. Furthermore, if you place your order by 2pm, we can also offer you the option of next day delivery. For a medicine as important as a reliever inhaler like Ventolin, this can be a life-saving perk, meaning your inhaler will be with you almost immediately.

References

https://www.ventolin.com/about-ventolin-hfa/index.html

https://www.asthma.org.uk/about/media/news/statement-salbutamol-can-save-lives-says-asthma-uk/

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/manage-your-asthma/pharmacist/

https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/allergy-asthma/a8236/ventolin-salbutamol/

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.850.pdf

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.849.pdf

http://gmmmg.nhs.uk/docs/cost_comparison_charts.pdf