Ventolin

It is used to treat asthma, which has a chronic bronchitis character, and also COPD, complicated by treatable obstruction of the respiratory tract.

Indications Ventolina

It is used to treat asthma, which has a chronic bronchitis character, and also COPD, complicated by treatable obstruction of the respiratory tract.

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Release form

The drug is released in the form of an inhalation solution (nebula), an aerosol, and it is also produced in the form of syrup and tablets.

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Pharmacodynamics

The medication is used to prevent the development of bronchial spasms. It is a bronchodilator; more precisely, a selective β-2-adrenomimetic.

The drug increases pulmonary capacity with mucociliary clearance, and in addition activates the function of the ciliated epithelium. Ventolin also helps improve mucus secretion, has a vasodilating effect on the coronary arteries and reduces potassium levels in the body.

The drug has lipolytic and antidiabetic properties, affects the processes of glycogenolysis and insulin secretion, and also increases the likelihood of developing acidosis.

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Pharmacokinetics

The therapeutic effect develops quite quickly – almost 5 minutes after using the drug (maximum – after 0.5-1.5 hours). The duration of the effect of the drug is approximately 5 hours.

Approximately 10-20% of the substance salbutamol after use penetrates into the lower part of the respiratory tract. The drug is absorbed into the blood with lung tissue, but is not subject to breakdown. The remainder of the active element remains inside the inhaler or in the oropharynx, from which it is swallowed and then undergoes hepatic passage, during which it is broken down and transformed into phenol sulfate.

The rate of synthesis with plasma protein is about 10%.

Once in the blood, salbutamol is broken down in the liver within 72 hours and then excreted, mainly in the urine - in the form of phenol sulfate or unchanged. A small portion of the drug is excreted in the feces.

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Dosing and administration

The medication may be used only as prescribed by the attending physician.

Inhalations in the form of an aerosol must be administered using a special nebulizer equipped with the appropriate elements - an endotracheal tube and a mask.

The inhalation aerosol is designed for approximately 200 injections of the drug. It is prescribed to adults, as well as children over 2 years of age (only a doctor can prescribe the drug). For long-term maintenance treatment, an adult is administered 200 mcg of the substance maximum 4 times per day.

The medicine in nebulas, released as an inhalation solution, is used without preliminary dissolution. Inhalation should last about 10 minutes. The drug can also be diluted with a 0.9% NaCl solution. The substance should be used in well-ventilated areas, because a small part of the medicine mixes with the surrounding air.

Inhalation nebulas are administered at a dosage of 2.5 mg. If necessary, it can be increased, but not more than to 5 mg. A maximum of 3-4 procedures can be performed per day. For adults staying in hospital, the dose can be increased, if necessary, to 40 mg per day.

Adults take the syrup in the amount of 2 ml, 3-4 times a day. If necessary, the portion can be increased to 4 ml.

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Use Ventolina during pregnancy

Ventolin should not be prescribed to pregnant women.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• the presence of hypersensitivity to medicinal components;
• lactation period;
• CHF.

Side effects Ventolina

Often, taking the drug causes such negative reactions as headaches, tremors in the fingers and a feeling of anxiety. In addition, the following side effects may occur:

• signs of intolerance, including bronchospasm, urticaria, collapse, angioedema and hypotension;
• hyperactivity;
• bronchospasm of a paradoxical nature;
• muscle cramps;
• lactic acidosis or hypokalemia;
• increased heart rate or tachycardia;
• extrasystole, peripheral vasodilation, and arrhythmia;
• supraventricular tachycardia;
• irritation affecting the mucous membranes in the throat and mouth.

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Overdose

Excessive dosages may cause nausea, muscle tremors, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, tachycardia, vomiting, headaches, and agitation. In addition, hypoxemia or respiratory alkalosis may occur, and blood pressure may decrease. Rarely, tachyarrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, seizures, or hallucinations may occur, as well as peripheral vasodilation.

Cardioselective β-blockers are used in therapy, but in people who have a history of bronchospasm attacks, they should be used with caution.

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Interactions with other drugs

Inhalations of the drug should not be combined with non-selective β-adrenergic blockers. In people with hyperthyroidism, the drug also increases tachycardia and the effect of NS stimulants.

When using an inhalation solution or aerosol with xanthines simultaneously, the risk of tachyarrhythmia increases.

Inhalational anesthetics and levodopa increase the likelihood of severe ventricular arrhythmia.

Combination with anticholinergic drugs increases IOP values.

Combination with GCS or diuretic drugs enhances the hypokalemic effect.

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Storage conditions

Ventolin should be stored in a dark place, out of the reach of small children. The solution must not be heated or frozen. The temperature level is a maximum of 30°C.

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Shelf life

Ventolin can be used within 24 months from the date of release of the therapeutic agent.

Application for children

Children may be prescribed inhalations to relieve bronchial spasms. The dosage portion is 100-200 mcg (this corresponds to 1-2 inhalations). For maintenance treatment, no more than 200 mcg is used 4 times a day (maximum 2 inhalations). To prevent the development of an attack, 100-200 mcg of the substance should be used 10-50 minutes before the onset of exposure to the factor that provokes the attack.

Children are usually prescribed spacers such as Babyhaler or Volumatic.

The therapeutic effectiveness of a nebulizer in young children under 1.5 years of age has not been studied, therefore it is prohibited to prescribe drugs to this category of people.

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Analogues

Analogues of the drug are the drugs Ventilor, Salbutamol, Nebutamol with Salamol-Eco, and in addition Salamol Steri-Neb, Salbutamol-Neo, Salamol-Eco Easy Breathing, as well as Salbutamol-Intelli.

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Reviews

Ventolin in aerosol or nebulas receives many positive reviews. The high speed of development of therapeutic effect is especially noted. Only isolated complaints about the development of addiction or negative symptoms appear. The drug is not a hormonal agent, but it is still not recommended to use it without a prior doctor's prescription.