What is Ventolin?
Ventolin contains the active ingredient salbutamol. It's an asthma inhaler used to relieve symptoms during an asthma attack.
Ventolin is a bronchodilator inhaler, which means it helps to relax your airways, making it easier to breathe when you experience symptoms.
There are two types of Ventolin inhalers: the Evohaler and the Accuhaler. Both help to ease your symptoms, but you use each one a bit differently.
The Evohaler resembles a more 'traditional' inhaler in appearance and function. The Accuhaler, on the other hand, is circular, and you simply inhale to use it without needing to press anything down.
Asthma is a condition that impacts the airways, causing breathing difficulties. For many, it's just a minor inconvenience that results in shortness of breath and wheezing. However, for some, it can be life-threatening.
Asthma can be triggered by various factors, such as pollution, infections, or exercise, so it's important for each person to be mindful of these triggers to keep it under control. The condition can be effectively managed with medications like Ventolin, which you should always have nearby in case of an attack.
How does Ventolin work?
It helps to relax your airways when they've been irritated by something that triggers your asthma. This makes it easier for you to breathe, reducing breathlessness, coughing, and chest tightness.
Ventolin works quickly to relieve bronchospasms, which occur when the muscles in your lungs tighten and make breathing difficult. Short-acting bronchodilators aren't typically used to prevent asthma, except occasionally for asthma triggered by exercise.
What doses of Ventolin are there?
The Ventolin Evohaler provides 200 puffs per inhaler. Each puff delivers 100 micrograms of salbutamol, which is the active ingredient that makes it effective.
The Accuhaler holds 60 blister strips, each filled with dry powder containing salbutamol. When you take a breath in, you inhale one of these 60 doses. Each dose provides 200 micrograms of salbutamol.
The Accuhaler has a counter showing how many doses are left. When you reach five doses, the numbers turn red. This is a handy reminder to order a new inhaler.