Aerosol for asthma Ventolin is a drug prescribed by a doctor for patients suffering from both chronic and acute forms of diseases associated with damage to the lungs and bronchi.
The medicine quickly relieves smooth muscle spasms, which makes it effective for relieving asthmatic attacks.
Composition and action of the drug
The main active ingredient is salbutamol . Synthetic in origin, it belongs to the group of beta2-adrenergic agonists and mucolytics . It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effect. Prevents and also relieves bronchospasm that has already begun.
In addition to salbutamol , Ventolin spray contains additional excipients.
The drug is sold in a special aerosol dispenser equipped with a mouthpiece. It contains 200 doses, 100 mcg of active ingredient in each. The container, together with the instructions for use, is packed in a cardboard box.
Ventolin belongs to the group of selective β-2-adrenergic receptor antagonists. When used in the recommended doses, it affects the bronchi, but practically does not affect the work of the heart muscle.
The spray is an effective bronchodilator (relieves or prevents bronchospasm). It also reduces airway resistance. Ventolin improves the secretion of bronchial mucus.
5 minutes after inhalation, the drug begins to take effect. The maximum effect of Ventolin can be observed 60-90 minutes after drug administration. The therapeutic effect lasts about 5 hours.
The bulk of the drug is deposited on the respiratory tract and the mouthpiece of the respirator. At the same time, no more than 20% of the administered dose penetrates into the lower respiratory tract. From the lungs, the drug is absorbed into the blood.
Salbutamol is excreted by the kidneys both practically unchanged and in the form of metabolites. This process takes no more than three days.
Indications for use
Spray Ventolin is recommended for the following diseases:
- Bronchial asthma. Suitable for relief of attacks of bronchospasm during exacerbations. It is effective as a preventive therapy if the body has been exposed to irritants that can cause an attack (physical activity, nervous shocks, allergens). Also, the drug is recommended as a maintenance therapy. Approved for use for a long time.
- It is used for obstructive pulmonary disease if the obstruction is reversible.
- Treatment of chronic bronchitis.
- Treatment of acute obstructive bronchitis.
Contraindications
When prescribing the drug, it is important to take into account all possible contraindications. These include:
- Allergic reactions to the substances that make up Ventolin .
- Children under the age of two.
- Pregnancy, in case of a threat of miscarriage or premature birth.
Also, the following patients should be used under the strict supervision of a physician:
- Suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart disease, myocardial infarction, tachyarrhythmia, and so on)
- With aortic stenosis.
- With diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation.
- Glaucoma sufferers.
- With a variety of kidney diseases.
- Epilepsy.
The use of the drug Ventolin by pregnant women is associated with the risk of developing pathologies in the fetus. Therefore, before prescribing a medicine, the doctor must objectively assess the risk of developing an asthmatic attack and compare it with the possible harm to the baby.
When using salbutamol in the fetus, the development of the cleft palate and various pathologies of the development of the limbs is possible. However, the effect of Ventolin on the development of these defects has not been 100% proven.
The drug passes into breast milk. There is no reliable statistics on the effect of the drug on a newborn baby. Therefore, during lactation, the spray should only be used as a last resort.
Method of administration and dosage
Aerosol Ventolin is used for asthma to administer the drug by inhalation using a special balloon with a mouthpiece. Before use, it is important to carefully read the instructions for use.
When opening a new package and if the medicine has not been used for a long time, you should first remove the special protective cap. Next, shake the balloon. Before use, it is important to make sure that the inhaler is working properly. For this, one injection is made into the air.
After making sure that everything is in order, you can use the aerosol. It is necessary to use the balloon strictly according to the instructions: placing it upside down.
After a deep and calm exhalation, it is necessary to clasp the inhaler with your lips and make one injection while inhaling. After administering the medicine, you need to hold your breath for a couple of seconds. The introduction of a repeated dose is possible no earlier than 30 seconds later.
In order to reduce possible side effects, but at the same time not reduce the effectiveness of the drug, it is important to adhere to the correct dosage of the drug. When stopping an attack, adults need one or two shots.
If it is required to prevent bronchospasm, it is permissible to introduce 200 μg of the active substance (two clicks) 10-15 minutes before the expected effect of the irritating factor. Supportive therapy allows the introduction of 200 mcg up to 4 times a day. If necessary, the dose can be increased. But this is permissible only by agreement with the attending physician.
The recommended dose for children is reduced compared to adults.
Side effects
Side effects are divided into groups according to the frequency of their manifestation when using Ventolin aerosol . Allocate:
- Frequent reactions. These include skeletal muscle tremors, headache, dizziness, and tachycardia.
- Infrequent reactions. These are changes in heart rate, muscle cramps and irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth.
- Rare. Quite a low percentage of recorded cases. This is the expansion of blood vessels (peripheral) and the development of hypokalemia .
- Very rare. These include: various allergic reactions to any component of the drug, hyperactivity, the development of arrhythmias and extrasystoles. In very rare cases, addiction may develop.
The active ingredient of the drug is also:
- Influences insulin production.
- Reduces the content of potassium in human blood.
- It has a hyperglycemic and lipolytic effect. These processes are especially active in patients with bronchial asthma.
- People taking salbutamol have an increased risk of developing acidosis.
special instructions
When prescribing drugs for the treatment of bronchial asthma, constant supervision of the attending physician is important. Disease therapy is carried out in stages, with careful monitoring of the body’s reactions.
There are also a number of factors that require even more careful monitoring.
The drug is not recommended for children under 2 years of age. However, in some cases, the doctor may decide to prescribe it as early as 18 months of age. Most often, Ventolin is prescribed to children for short-term use.
This takes into account not only the effect of the drug on the respiratory system, but also the general condition of the whole organism. The dosage and frequency of admission is determined taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
Since the drug passes into breast milk, it is not recommended to use it for a nursing mother. But, if necessary, prescribing a medicine is still possible.
It is not recommended to use Ventolin with non-selective β- adrenergic receptor blockers . In patients with thyrotoxicosis, the aerosol can enhance the effect of CNS stimulants. It is not recommended to use the drug together with xanthines , as the risk of developing tachycardia is high.
When used simultaneously with anticholinergics, it can provoke an increase in intraocular pressure.
If there is a simultaneous intake of salbutamol with diuretics and glucocorticosteroids , the excretion of potassium from the body increases.
In case of an overdose of the drug, there may be a decrease in blood pressure, tremors, nausea, vomiting. When taking large doses of Ventolin , the potassium content in the blood plasma should be monitored, since hypokalemia may develop .
Finally
Aerosol Ventolin is effective against asthma. It is used for both relief and prevention of seizures.
Before using the medicine, it is important to carefully study the instructions.
The initial prescribing of the dose and its subsequent increase should be carried out by the attending physician.
Self-medication can lead to the development of dangerous complications, for example, diseases of the cardiovascular system.