Active ingredient
- salbutamol sulfate
Legal Category
POM: Prescription only medicine
POM: Prescription only medicine
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 10949/0274.
Ventolin Evohaler
Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Ventolin Evohaler 100 micrograms
salbutamol sulfate
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
What is in this leaflet:
1 What Ventolin Evohaler is and what it is used for
2 What you need to know before you use Ventolin Evohaler
3 How to use Ventolin Evohaler
4 Possible side effects
5 How to store Ventolin Evohaler
6 Contents of the pack and other information
1 What Ventolin Evohaler is and what it is used for
Ventolin Evohaler contains a medicine called salbutamol. This belongs to a group of medicines called fast acting bronchodilators.
Ventolin Evohaler is used to treat breathing problems in people with asthma and similar conditions. This includes relieving and preventing asthma brought on by exercise or other “triggers”. These are things, which bring on asthma symptoms in some people. Common triggers include house dust, pollen, cats, dogs and cigarette smoke.
Ventolin Evohaler contains a propellant called HFA 134a. This is less harmful to the environment than older inhalers. Older inhalers may taste differently to Ventolin Evohaler. This will make no difference to how your medicine works.
2 What you need to know before you use Ventolin Evohaler
Do not use Ventolin Evohaler if:
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking Ventolin Evohaler if:
Other medicines and Ventolin Evohaler
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines. Remember to take this medicine with you if you have to go to hospital.
In particular tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking:
Ventolin Evohaler with food and drink
You can take Ventolin Evohaler at any time of day, with or without food.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Ventolin is not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.
3 How to use Ventolin Evohaler
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over
Children under 12 years of age
Instructions for use
Do not use your inhaler more often than the doctor told you to. Tell your doctor if your medicine does not seem to be working as well as usual, as your chest problem may be getting worse and you may need a different medicine.
Your doctor may have told you to take more than this as an emergency treatment if your wheezing or breathing gets very bad. It is very important that you keep to your doctor's instructions as to how many puffs to take and how often to use your inhaler.
Testing your inhaler
1 When using the inhaler for the first time, test that it is working. Remove the mouthpiece cover by gently squeezing the sides with your thumb and forefinger and pull apart.
2 To make sure that it works, shake it well, point the mouthpiece away from you and press the canister to release two puffs into the air. If you have not used the inhaler for 5 days or more, shake it well and release two puffs of medicine into the air.
Using your inhaler
It is important to start to breathe as slowly as possible just before using your inhaler.
1 Stand or sit upright when using your inhaler.
2 Remove the mouthpiece cover (as shown in the first picture). Check inside and outside to make sure that the mouthpiece is clean and free of objects.
3 Shake the inhaler 4 or 5 times to ensure that any loose objects are removed and that the contents of the inhaler are evenly mixed.
4 Hold the inhaler upright with your thumb on the base, below the mouthpiece. Breathe out as far as is comfortable. Do not breathe in again yet.
5 Place the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth. Close your lips around it. Do not bite.
6 Breathe in through your mouth. Just after starting to breathe in, press down on the top of the canister to release a puff of medicine. Do this while still breathing in steadily and deeply.
7 Hold your breath, take the inhaler from your mouth and your finger from the top of the inhaler. Continue holding your breath for a few seconds, or as long as is comfortable.
8 If your doctor has told you to take two puffs, wait about half a minute before you take another puff by repeating steps 3 to 7.
9 After use always replace the mouthpiece cover straight away to keep out dust. Replace the cover by firmly pushing and clicking into position.
Practise in front of a mirror for the first few times. If you see a ‘mist’ coming from the top of your inhaler or the sides of your mouth you should start again.
Young children may need help and their parents may need to operate the inhaler for them. Encourage the child to breathe out and operate the inhaler just after the child starts to breathe in. Practise the technique together. You may find the Volumatic spacer device, with a face mask, or the Babyhaler device useful if you have to give Ventolin Evohaler to a baby or a child under 5 – speak to your doctor if you think you might need one of these.
Older children or people with weak hands may find it easier to hold the inhaler with both hands. Put the two forefingers on top of the inhaler and both thumbs on the bottom below the mouthpiece. If this does not help, your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will be able to advise you.
Cleaning your inhaler
To stop your inhaler blocking, it is important to clean it at least once a week.
To clean your inhaler:
If you take more Ventolin Evohaler than you should
If you take more than you should, talk to a doctor as soon as possible. The following effects may happen:
These effects usually wear off in a few hours.
If you forget to take Ventolin Evohaler
If you stop taking Ventolin Evohaler
Do not stop taking Ventolin Evohaler without talking to your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
4 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, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine:
Allergic Reactions (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking Ventolin Evohaler 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:
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 (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
The following side effects can also happen but the frequency of these are not known:
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
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 doses of Ventolin Evohaler unless your doctor tells you to.
5 How to store Ventolin Evohaler
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6 Contents of the pack and other information
What Ventolin Evohaler contains
What Ventolin Evohaler looks like and contents of the pack
Ventolin Evohaler comprises an aluminium alloy can sealed with a metering valve, actuator and dust cap.
Each canister contains 200 doses of 100 micrograms of salbutamol (as salbutamol sulfate).
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Manufacturer
Other formats:
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0800 198 5000 (UK only)
Please be ready to give the following information:
Product name Ventolin Evohaler
Reference number 10949/0274
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
This leaflet was last revised in April 2021
Ventolin and Evohaler are registered trade marks of the GSK group of companies.
© 2021 GSK group of companies. All rights reserved.
Asthma Control Test
The Asthma Control Test is one way to quickly assess your asthma control, giving you a simple score out of 25. Your healthcare professional may ask you additional questions during a consultation.
Are you in control of your asthma? Or is your asthma in control of you? Here’s how to find out
Step 1: Read each question below carefully, circle your score and write it in the box.
Step 2: Add up each of your five scores to get your total Asthma Control Test™ score.
Step 3: Use the score guide to learn how well you are controlling your asthma.
What does your score mean?
Score: 25 - WELL DONE
Score: 20 to 24 - ON TARGET
Score: less than 20 - OFF TARGET
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