Ventolin Inhaler
Ventolin Inhaler
Ventolin Inhaler is a bronchodilator used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease.
Ventolin inhaler is a bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles of the airways. It increases the flow of air into the patient’s lungs. This drug predominantly affects beta2 receptors, which predominate in the bronchial smooth muscles (respiratory tubes). Albuterol, the main component of Ventolin, is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease. Each inhalation canister provides 200 inhalations.
It is recommended to clean the inhaler before use for the first time and in cases when the inhaler has not been used for more than 2 weeks.
Indications for use
- Prevention and relief of bronchospasm in bronchial asthma;
- Symptomatic treatment of bronchial obstructive syndrome (chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.);
- Nocturnal asthma (prolonged tablet form).
Ventolin (inhalation) is intended for use by adults and children from 4 years of age.
The active ingredient, group: albuterol.
This oral inhaler has become one of the most popular in history for the treatment of acute asthma attacks. As a result of this, other companies began to produce this drug.
Ventolin is still available in the US, but the FDA has also approved a number of other generics and brands of the drug.
In most developed countries, albuterol is also sold in the form of inhalers and oral medications. Popular trade names include Aerolin, Airomir, Asmasal, Asthalin, Asthavent, Asmol, Butahale, Buventol, ProAir, Proventil, Salamol, Sultanol, and Volmax.
Dosage and mode of application
Oral: adults and children over 12 years old – 2-4 mg of the drug 3-4 times a day, if necessary, a dose increase of up to 8 mg 4 times a day is possible. The maximum daily dose is 32 mg. Children 6-12 years old – 2 mg 3-4 times a day, the maximum dose is 24 mg/day; 2-6 years – 1-2 mg (0.1 mg/kg) 3-4 times a day.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity;
- Pregnancy (when used as a bronchodilator);
- Lactation;
- Childhood.
Take Ventolin inhaler with caution in the following cases:
- tachyarrhythmia;
- severe heart failure;
- arterial hypertension;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- tachyarrhythmia;
- pheochromocytoma;
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- coronary heart disease (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction);
- myocarditis;
- heart defects;
- aortic stenosis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- epilepsy;
- convulsions (stenosis, pyloroduodenal stenosis).
Side effects
In cases of using albuterol, the following allergic reactions and side effects are possible:
- shortness of breath, choking, or other breathing problems;
- chest pain, fast heart rate;
- pain or burning during urination;
- high blood sugar – increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, dry mouth, sweet smell when breathing, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss;
- low potassium – leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeat, back pain, body pain;
- headache, dizziness;
- nervousness
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- upset stomach;
- sore throat;
- sinus pain;
- runny nose.
Also, when using albuterol, minor side effects may occur, such as:
- dizziness;
- an increase in body temperature (feels like an influx of heat in the body)
- irritability;
- nausea;
- redness of the face, neck, upper chest;
- insomnia;
- trouble urinating;
- trouble sleeping;
- drowsiness.
Ventolin inhaler is generally well-tolerated by patients, and all side effects are consistent with its pharmacological activity.
In general, the severity of these side effects depends on the dose and route of administration. With further treatment, some side effects can disappear on their own, as your body adapts to the drug you are taking.
Interactions
- Treatment with the drug enhances the action of central nervous system stimulants, tachycardia in patients with thyrotoxicosis and the likelihood of developing extrasystole while taking cardiac glycosides.
- A single use of the drug reduces the concentration of digoxin by 16-22% on the background of the last 10 days of therapy (it does not have clinical significance, you should monitor the concentration of digoxin in the blood).
- The increase in heart rate and blood pressure while taking the drug may require dose adjustment of antihypertensive and antianginal drugs.
- Theophylline and other xanthines with simultaneous use increase the likelihood of developing tachyarrhythmias; drugs for inhalation anesthesia, levodopa – severe ventricular arrhythmias.
- MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants, enhancing the effect of the drug, can lead to an abrupt decrease in blood pressure.
- Incompatible (pharmacological antagonism) with non-selective beta-blockers.
- Simultaneous administration with anticholinergics (including inhalation) can increase intraocular pressure.
- Diuretics and corticosteroids enhance the hypokalemic effect of the drug.