Ventolin is an asthma reliever inhaler used to open up the airways into the lungs to improve airflow and help you breathe more easily.

The active ingredient in Ventolin is salbutamol. It can treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as:

• wheezing
• coughing
• chest tightness
• breathlessness

Ventolin is the branded version of salbutamol and belongs to a group of medicines called fast-acting bronchodilators.

Ventolin is a bronchodilator and works by relaxing the muscles in your airways allowing them to open up, making breathing easier.

Ventolin comes in the form of a type of ‘reliever inhaler’ or “blue” inhaler which provides quick relief from breathing issues when you experience them.

How long does Ventolin take to work?

Ventolin starts to work almost straight away, usually within 15 minutes. It continues working for around 5 hours.

Ventolin can also be used as a preventative medicine to stop breathing difficulties occurring when you know you will be exposed to certain triggers or taking part in an activity that may cause asthma symptoms, such as exercise.

How effective is Ventolin?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) believes salbutamol is one of the safest and most effective medicines available. It is the first-line treatment for acute asthma symptoms and should be given as soon as possible for maximum effectiveness.

Always take Ventolin as prescribed by your doctor. They will tell you when and how to use your asthma reliever inhaler. Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, if you are not sure.

Normally, Ventolin is used as soon as you notice asthma symptoms. It can also be used if you have exercise-induced asthma or know that certain things will trigger your symptoms, such as:

• pollen
• dust
• animal dander (shedding of fur and skin from pets)

In this case, you should use your reliever inhaler 10 to 15 minutes before exposure to stop symptoms from happening, but only if your doctor has recommended you use your Ventolin inhaler in this way.

How to use a Ventolin inhaler:

1. Before you use your inhaler it is important to try to breathe as slowly as possible.
2. Try to sit or stand upright when you use your inhaler.
3. Remove the mouthpiece cover and make sure it is clean and clear of any obstructions.
4. Give the inhaler 4 or 5 shakes to mix the contents.
5. Hold the inhaler in your hand with your index finger on the canister and your thumb on the base.
6. Breathe out as far as you can and do not breathe back in yet.
7. Place the inhaler mouthpiece between your teeth and close your lips around it but do not bite.
8. Start to breathe in through your mouth. As you start to breathe in, press down on top of the canister to release a puff of the medication. Keep breathing in steadily and deeply.
9. Whilst holding your breath, remove the inhaler from your mouth.
10. Continue to hold your breath for as long as is comfortable.
11. If your doctor has advised you to take 2 puffs, wait 30 seconds then repeat steps 4 to 10.
12. When finished, replace the mouthpiece cover to keep it free from dust and foreign objects.

When you get your Ventolin inhaler, it is recommended that you practise in front of the mirror a few times to familiarise yourself with the process. If you see any mist coming from anywhere around the inhaler you should start again trying to stop any mist escaping.

You can find a full list of instructions for use in the patient information leaflet provided with your inhaler.

When to take Ventolin

You should use your Ventolin reliever inhaler when you need it. For example, when you experience the following symptoms:

• coughing
• wheezing
• shortness of breath
• chest tightness

You may also use it when you know you are going to complete an activity that will make you breathless, such as climbing the stairs.

How often to take Ventolin

You should only use your Ventolin inhaler as and when you need it. The amount you’ll need to take will depend on what you are using it for.

• To relieve symptoms of asthma: take 1 to 2 puffs
• To prevent an asthma attack: take 2 puffs 10 to 15 minutes before a potential trigger like exercise
• As a regular asthma treatment: take 2 puffs up to 4 times per day

You should only use your inhaler for a maximum of 8 puffs in 24 hours. If you need to use it more than this or you don’t get relief for at least 3 hours after using it, speak to your doctor urgently as this means your asthma is not controlled and you could be at risk of a severe asthma attack.

If you find that you use your blue (reliever) inhaler more than 3 days in a week or at night, speak to your doctor as it means your asthma is not properly controlled.

How long do you need to take Ventolin for?

Most people will need to use a Ventolin inhaler for many years. If your breathing improves, you may need to use your Ventolin inhaler less often but you should always carry it with you in case you have a sudden asthma attack.

How long will Ventolin last?

Once you have used your Ventolin inhaler it will work straight away and the effects can last for up to 5 hours.

Each blue Ventolin inhaler contains 200 doses of 100 micrograms (mcg) – (1 puff/dose) of salbutamol.

Ventolin inhalers in the UK are a prescription-only medication so you will need a doctor's approval to obtain it. You can request Ventolin online from Superdrug Online Doctor or you can get it on the NHS.

Can I buy Ventolin online?

You can request Ventolin from Superdrug Online Doctor. Simply:

• complete a short online questionnaire about your health and lifestyle
• order your preferred treatment and make payment
• one of our doctors will review your answers to the questionnaire and your order to see if it is suitable for you
• if approved, your order will be delivered to your address in plain packaging or to a Superdrug Pharmacy for collection, based on what you choose during the order process
• if our doctors do not feel Ventolin is right for you, they will contact you via your account with other suitable treatment options

Can I buy Ventolin over the counter?

No, you cannot buy Ventolin over the counter because you need a prescription from a doctor.

Can I get Ventolin on the NHS?

It may be possible to get a Ventolin inhaler on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment to see your GP to get a prescription.

The NHS will use the same criteria as our doctors to assess if Ventolin is right for you.

Ventolin can cause side effects but not everyone will experience them.

Common side effects affecting up to 1 in 10 people:

• feeling shaky
• headache

Uncommon side effects affecting up to 1 in 100 people:

• muscle cramps
• mouth and throat irritation

Rare side effects affecting up to 1 in 1000 people:

• increased blood flow to your extremities
• having a low level of potassium in your blood

Very rare side effects affecting 1 in 10,000 people:

• feeling restless or excitable
• changes to your sleep pattern

Side effects that can happen where the frequency is unknown:

• Chest pain due to angina or heart problems.

Possible side effects that can affect 1 in 10 people:

• Feeling that your heart is beating faster than normal – this should stop after you have been using the medication for a while
• Feeling that your heart rhythm is uneven

If you experience the following allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) side effects, stop taking Ventolin and call a doctor straight away:

• swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• feeling faint
• itchy rash
• light-headed
• collapsinge

If you feel there are any changes to the way your medication is working or your symptoms worsen after taking Ventolin, tell your doctor as soon as possible.

How long do Ventolin side effects last for?

If you experience shakiness or that your heartbeat is faster than normal, these should go away within 30 minutes or will last a maximum of a few hours. If they do not go away or you are struggling to cope with the side effects, tell your doctor as soon as you can. They may recommend a different asthma reliever inhaler or adjust your dose.

What to do if you get Ventolin side effects

If you experience any side effects, even those not listed in the patient leaflet, and you are finding them difficult to manage, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Any serious side effects should be reported to your doctor straight away or contact 111 if out of hours. In an emergency, call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E.

The active ingredient in Ventolin (salbutamol) isn’t suitable for everyone.

Do not use a Ventolin inhaler if you:

• are allergic to any of the ingredients in the inhaler including salbutamol sulphate
• unexpectedly go into labour early

You should tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist before you take Ventolin if:

• your asthma has bouts that make eating, speaking, or sleeping difficult with coughing, wheezing, feeling tight-chested, or having limited physical ability
• you have high blood pressure
• you have an overactive thyroid gland
• you have any history of heart problems such as angina, irregular or fast heartbeat
• you are taking any derivatives of xanthine, such as theophylline or steroids to treat your asthma
• you are taking any other medications including over-the-counter, herbal, or prescribed remedies

Ventolin in pregnancy

Tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you are or think you may be pregnant before taking Ventolin. It’s usually safe to take but your doctor may want to adjust your dose or monitor your asthma and medication more closely.

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer a range of asthma treatments, including alternative reliever inhalers. They are:

• Salbutamol: These inhalers are the same as Ventolin because they contain the same active ingredient in exactly the same dose, and work in the same way. The difference is that Ventolin is a branded inhaler while salbutamol inhalers are generic and are generally cheaper.
• Symbicort Turbohaler: This inhaler is a combined inhaler that is used to prevent and relieve asthma symptoms. It contains a corticosteroid called budesonide to reduce irritation and swelling in the airways and a bronchodilator called formoterol to relax the airway muscles, making it easier to breathe.
• Fostair: A pink inhaler used as a reliever and preventer inhaler. It contains a corticosteroid (beclomethasone dipropionate) to reduce swelling and inflammation in the airways, preventing asthma symptoms and a bronchodilator (formoterol fumarate dihydrate) to relax the airways during an asthma attack.
• Seretide: A combination inhaler prescribed to prevent and relieve asthma symptoms. It contains fluticasone to prevent asthma symptoms and salmeterol to relieve them. Also available as Seretide Evohaler.

There are 2 types of inhalers: preventer (brown) and reliever (blue). Some inhalers are called combination inhalers so can provide preventative treatment and relief in one medication. You may be prescribed a combination inhaler or a separate reliever and preventer inhaler if you need both.

Find out more about types of inhalers in our guide on the difference between blue and brown inhalers.

Is Ventolin a steroid?

No, Ventolin is not a steroid. It contains the active ingredient salbutamol which belongs to a class of medications called bronchodilators. These help to open the airways making it easier to breathe. Corticosteroids are used to prevent asthma symptoms by reducing inflammation in the airways.

What is the difference between Ventolin and Salamol?

Ventolin and Salamol are both reliever inhalers and contain the same active ingredient salbutamol, and both work in the same way. Salamol contains fewer greenhouse gases compared to Ventolin, so is considered to be more environmentally friendly.

What is the difference between Ventolin and Salbutamol?

Ventolin is the same as salbutamol. The only difference is salbutamol is the generic version of the medication and Ventolin is the branded version.

Does Ventolin help a cough?

Ventolin will help reduce coughing caused by asthma or COPD but they are not generally given to relieve acute bronchial issues

Can Ventolin damage your lungs?

Ventolin is considered a safe form of medication and there is no evidence that it causes any lasting damage to your lungs.

How should I look after my Ventolin inhaler?

It’s important to clean your inhaler once a week to keep it free from any blockages.

To clean your inhaler, you should:

1. Remove the metal canister from the plastic housing and remove the mouthpiece cover.
2. Using warm running water, rinse the plastic housing thoroughly.
3. Dry the plastic housing thoroughly inside and out.
4. When dry, replace the metal canister in the plastic housing and replace the mouthpiece cover.

Store the inhaler below 30°C and protect from frost and direct sunlight. If your inhaler gets very cold, remove the metal canister from the plastic case and warm it up in your hands for a few minutes before using it. Do not use anything else to warm it up.