Salbutamol Fact Card
Usually an inhaled medication to treat Asthma
| Brands | Ventolin, Salbulin, Salamol Easi-Breathe, AirSalb |
| Used For | Asthma |
| Doseage | 2 puffs when symptomatic |
| Side Effects | Tremor, headache, racing heart, hyperactivity |
| Warnings | Make sure your doctor knows if you suffer with heart or thyroid problems |
| Pregnancy | The benefits to the mother need to be weighed against possible risk to the fetus. |
Salbutamol is a medication that is inhaled to help patients with certain lung conditions such as Asthma. It is administered via an inhaler device and works best if used with a spacer which allow the patient to get the maximum dose. Having a good technique for using an inhaler is very important otherwise the medication may not even reach the areas in the lungs where it is most needed.
What is Salbutamol used to treat?
Salbutamol is a medicine that is used to treat lung conditions such as Asthma. Salbutamol can also be used to ease symptoms in children suffering from a wheezy chest usually caused by a viral infection and this can occur in children who don't necessarily have asthma.
How does Salbutamol work?
Salbutamol works to relax the muscles around small airways in the lungs. This opens up the airways allowing more oxygen to get into the lungs and relieve the characteristic tight chested and wheezy feeling that patients experience when their airways are inflamed and swollen.
Salbutamol starts to work in the first few minutes after taking a dose and the beneficial effects can last up to approximately 4-6 hours.
How do I take Salbutamol?
Salbutamol is delivered in 'puffs' and a patient may need to take varying amounts of salbutamol depending on how well their asthma is controlled. When feeling short of breath most patients will start with taking two puffs and see what effect this has.
It is always best to use a spacer device as this helps to maximise how much of the medication reaches the airways.
Sometimes a dose of salbutamol can be taken before coming into contact with known trigger - e.g. cold air or exercise, to reduce symptoms.
Side effects of Salbutamol
Very rarely a patient can have a serious allergic reaction to Salbutamol. This can present with facial swelling, difficulty breathing, very low blood pressure which can lead to collapse.
Common side effects include:
- Tremor
- Headache
- Racing Heart
Uncommon side effects include palpitations, throat and mouth irritation and muscle cramps.
Things to avoid
It is important to let your doctor know if you suffer from Thyroid problems before you start taking this medication.
If you suffer from heart problems (such as ischaemic heart disease, arrhythmia or severe heart failure) it is very important the doctor is aware of this if they are thinking of starting you on Salbutamol.
Salbutamol and some other drugs should not be prescribed together - one such type of drug is called a Beta-Blocker e.g. Propranolol. It can be dangerous to take a Beta-blocker if you suffer with Asthma.
Salbutamol and alcohol
Always best to avoid.
Alcohol and salbutamol and both work to increase the heart rate and can cause a tachycardia (fast heart rate).
Can I take Salbutamol when pregnant?
As with many medications the effect of Salbutamol in pregnancy has not been tested and no controlled trials in pregnant women have been conducted.
Salbutamol and breastfeeding
The British National Formulary recommends that all inhaled medications for asthma be taken as normal during breast feeding. It is always important to weigh up the risks to the infant but also the risks to the mother - a serious asthma attack could endanger her liimportant medication.
Our doctors are available now and can issue same day prescriptions for all standard medications. To see a GP regarding a prescription for salbutamol or for any other reason book an appointment now and start feeling better right away.