Salbutamol inhaler

Salbutamol helps relieve symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Symptoms include coughing, wheezing and feeling breathless.

Salbutamol is a bronchodilator. Bronchodilators relax the muscles in the lungs and widens the airways (bronchi).

It comes as an inhaler (puffer). It's usually blue.

Common brand names for salbutamol inhalers include Ventolin and Salamol.

It can also be given using a nebuliser, but this is usually only if you have severe asthma or COPD. A nebuliser is a machine that helps you breathe in your medicine as a mist, using a mask or a mouthpiece. You can use a nebuliser in hospital or you may be given one to manage your condition at home.

Salbutamol is only available on prescription.

Check if you can take salbutamol

Salbutamol can be taken by adults and children of all ages.

It's not suitable for people with certain health problems.

Before you are prescribed salbutamol, tell your GP if you:

• had an allergic reaction to any medicines in the past
• have any other medical condition, such as thyroid problems, heart disease, heart problems or diabetes
• take other medicines, herbal remedies or supplements
• are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, think you might be pregnant
• are breastfeeding

Pregnancy and salbutamol

Talk to your GP if you use salbutamol and:

• you are pregnant
• think you may be pregnant
• trying to get pregnant

They will be able to give you advice on how to manage your asthma during pregnancy.

It's important that your asthma is well treated. Tell your GP if your asthma gets worse. They may need to adjust your treatment.

Breastfeeding and salbutamol

Talk to your GP if you are breastfeeding and you use a salbutamol inhaler. A small amount of medicine passes into breast milk.

Your GP can give you advice on how to manage your asthma while breastfeeding.

It's important to keep treating your asthma while breastfeeding to keep you well.

Fertility and salbutamol

There's no evidence to suggest that taking salbutamol will reduce fertility in either men or women.

Contraception and salbutamol

Salbutamol does not affect any type of contraception including the combined pill and emergency contraception.

When you start taking salbutamol

Your inhaler will work almost immediately to make your breathing easier. It carries on working for about 5 hours.

Salbutamol can make you feel dizzy or shaky. It can also make your heart beat faster.

If this happens, do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery until you feel better.

Avoid smoking

Try not to smoke. Smoking irritates the lungs and will make your breathing problem worse.

Speak to your GP or pharmacist about stopping smoking.

Get help to quit smoking

How long you need to take salbutamol

Most people will use salbutamol for many years.

You or your child might be able to use salbutamol less often when your breathing is better.

Keep your inhaler with you all the time so you can use it as soon as you have breathing problems.

Do not stop taking salbutamol unless your GP tells you to.

Your breathing problems could get worse if you stop taking it.

How and when to use salbutamol

Always use your inhaler exactly as you GP or pharmacist tells you. Check with your GP or pharmacist if you are not sure.

You might be prescribed salbutamol to prevent asthma symptoms. But you’ll usually only use it when you need it.

Use your inhaler:

• if you are coughing, wheezing, short of breath and feel tightness in your chest
• before doing an activity that can make you breathless, such as a sport, or climbing stairs

You or your child will usually take:

• take 1 or 2 puffs when you need it
• use it up to 4 times in 24 hours (1 or 2 puffs each time)

You should feel a difference to your breathing within a few minutes.

Do not take more than 8 puffs in 24 hours.

If your usual treatment is not working, talk to your GP. Do not increase your dose without talking to them.

Get help to use your inhaler

To get the most from your inhaler, have your technique checked regularly.

You need to use your inhaler properly to get the right amount of salbutamol into your lungs.

Ask your GP or pharmacist to watch you use your inhaler if:

• you're not sure how to use your inhaler
• you have not had your technique checked for a year

Good inhaler techniques - asthma.ie (video)

Use a spacer with the inhaler

If you or your child find it difficult to use an inhaler, your GP may give you a spacer to use with it.

A spacer is a large plastic container with a mouthpiece and a hole for the inhaler.

A spacer makes it easier to get the right amount of salbutamol into the lungs.

Spacers are useful for giving salbutamol to children.

Your GP or pharmacist can show you how to use a spacer with the inhaler.

If you take too much salbutamol

If you take too much salbutamol, you may notice:

• your heart beats more quickly than normal
• you feel shaky
• you have a headache

Make an appointment to see your GP, pharmacist or nurse if you need to use your inhaler:

• more than 4 times in 24 hours
• more than 2 days of each week
• in the middle of the night at least once a week

Side effects

You may get some side effects from your salbutamol inhaler. But not everyone gets side effects.

Common side effects

There are things you can do to manage common side effects:

Side effects should improve as your body gets used to salbutamol.

Contact your GP or pharmacist if these or any other side effects bother you or do not go away.

See the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of side effects.

Serious side effects

It is rare to have very serious side effects when taking salbutamol. But they can happen.

Serious allergic reaction

You can get a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to salbutamol. This is an emergency.

Taking salbutamol with other medicines

Tell your GP or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines. This includes medicines you can get without a prescription and herbal remedies and supplements.

You can take salbutamol if you are lactose intolerant.