Drug name: Brand Ventolin

Active substance: Salbutamol

Pharmacological effects: Salbutamol belongs to a group of drugs called selective beta-2 adrenomimetics. In therapeutic doses it affects beta-2-adrenoreceptors in the smooth muscle of the bronchi and has nearly no effect on the myocardial beta-1-adrenoreceptors. The drug works by inhibiting incipient and delayed bronchial reactivity.

The drug also exerts expressed bronchodilatating effect, preventing or arresting the bronchial spasm and decreasing respiratory tracts resistance. Increases the vital lung capacity. Ventolin also affects specific inflammatory mediator release and prevents antigen induced bronchospasm. The drug affects metabolism by decreasing Potassium concentration in plasma, increases the risk of acidosis development, affects insulin release and glycogen synthesis.

Indications: Ventolin is used in treatment of bronchial asthma:

• Arrest of bronchial asthma episodes in severe bronchial asthma
• Prevention of bronchial asthma episodes, induced by allergens or physical exercise.
• Long-term treatment of bronchial asthma as additional treatment

Salbutamol may also be used in treatment of chronic obstructive lung disease, accompanied by reversible obstruction of respiratory tract, including chronic bronchitis and lung emphysema.

Warnings and Precautions: The drugs should not be used in the following conditions:

• Hypersensitivity to any components of the preparations.
• Premature childbirth
• Young age under 2 years
• Possible abortion

Caution should be exerted when using the preparation during pregnancy and breastfeeding period. The drug should not be used alone in treatment of bronchial asthma additional treatment is needed. If the normal dose of the preparation becomes inefficient in treatment of the symptoms the patient should consult his doctor. The drug should also be used with caution in patients with thyreotoxicosis

Side effects: Drugs may cause side-effects which in specific patients may manifest differently. In the following paragraph we want to underline the most serious and frequent side effect of Ventolin that were identified by the drug manufacturers. The possibility of the adverse effect manifestation depends only on the individual and his specific traits. Salbutamol side effects include:

• Allergic reactions: hives, angioneurotic shock
• CNS: tremor, headaches, hyperactivity
• Cardiovascular system: tachycardia, arrhythmia, supraventricular tachycardia, extrasystole, dilation of peripheral vessels
• Respiratory system: bronchospasm
• Gastrointestinal tract: irritation of the oral and throat mucous membrane
• Locomotor system: muscle seizures
• Metabolism: hypokaliemia

For full information on any risks and adverse effects associated with Ventolin, please consult your doctor, read the included leaflet or contact our customer support service.

Interactions: Before using Salbutamol please tell your doctor which drugs or supplements you are already taking including those bought without a prescription. Also check if any additional medicine which you will take during the course of Ventolin therapy are safe in combination. Especially mention if you are taking the following groups of drugs:

• Non-selective Beta blockers
• Cardiac glycosides
• Diuretics
• Psychostimulators
• Anesthetics
• Parkinson's disease treatment
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• MAO inhibitors
• Anticholinergic drugs
• Glucocorticosteroids

Patients information: Ventolin is not to be shared with healthy individuals. It is strictly FORBIDDEN to use the drugs in treatment of any conditions unrelated to their indications. The product as well as utilized vials, syringes, needles if used during the course of treatment should be kept out of reach of children and never reused.