Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Ventolin Oral Liquid
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
Your doctor prescribed a medicine called VENTOLIN® (salbutamol sulphate) oral liquid is used to help breathing problems in:
- Asthma.
- Other chest illnesses.
What it does:
Salbutamol is one group of medicines called bronchodilators. Salbutamol relaxes the muscles in the walls of the small air passages in the lungs. This helps to open up the airways and helps to relieve chest tightness, wheezing and cough so that you can breathe more easily.
When it should not be used:
Do not use VENTOLIN® oral liquid if:
you are allergic to salbutamol or any components of
the formulation (see What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are).
- your heart beats faster than normal.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
VENTOLIN® oral liquid contains the active ingredient, salbutamol sulphate.
What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are:
VENTOLIN® oral liquid contains citric acid anhydrous, citric acid solution, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, orange flavour, purified water, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate dehydrate, sodium chloride, sodium cyclamate and sodium hydroxide.
What dosage forms it comes in:
VENTOLIN® oral liquid is a clear, colourless, orange flavoured liquid containing 0.4 mg salbutamol per mL. VENTOLIN® oral liquid is available in 250 mL plastic bottles.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
BEFORE you use VENTOLIN® oral liquid talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:
- you have ever had to stop taking other medications for this illness because you were allergic to them or they caused problems.
- you are having treatment for a thyroid condition.
- you are having treatment for high blood pressure or a heart problem.
- if you have diabetes.
- if you have a past history of seizures.
If you notice that your shortness of breath or wheeze is becoming worse, tell your doctor as soon as possible. If the relief of wheezing or chest tightness is not as good as usual, tell your doctor as soon as possible. It may be that your chest condition is worsening and you may need to add another type of medicine to your treatment.
Your doctor may decide not to prescribe this medicine during the first three months of pregnancy, of if you are breast feeding a baby. However, there may be circumstances when your doctor advises you differently.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Make sure that your doctor knows what other medicines you are taking (such as those for depression, allergies, other airway-opening medications (e.g. other asthma medications), blood pressure and heart medications, and water pills (diuretics), etc.), including those you can buy without a prescription as well as herbal and alternative medicines.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Adults and children over 12 years of age: 5 to 10 mL (2 to 4 mg) 3 to 4 times daily.
Children (6 to 12 years of age): 5 mL (2 mg) 3 to 4 times daily.
Children (2 to 6 years of age): 0.25 mL (0.1 mg) per kg body weight 3 to 4 times daily.
VENTOLIN® oral liquid solution should not be used in children under 2 years of age.
In elderly patients or in those known to be unusually sensitive to beta-adrenergic stimulant drugs, begin treatment with 5 mL (2 mg) three to four times per day.
Usual Dose
The action of VENTOLIN® oral liquid may last for 6 to 8 hours. Do not increase the dose or how often you take your medicine without informing your doctor.
If VENTOLIN® oral liquid is required for relief of symptoms more than 2 times a day on a regular daily basis, or for an extended period of time, anti-inflammatory therapy should be part of the medication you take.
VENTOLIN® oral liquid is not intended for patients experiencing a sudden asthma attack. Patients should always carry their salbutamol aerosol or dry powder inhaler to use immediately if an episode of asthma is experienced.
Overdose:
In the event you take a larger dose of VENTOLIN® oral liquid than is prescribed to you, tell your doctor without delay or contact your hospital or nearest poison control centre.
Missed Dose:
If a dose of this medication is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the regular dosing schedule. Do not double dose.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Very occasionally, some people feel a little shaky or have a headache or notice that their heart is beating a little faster and/or more forcefully than usual after using VENTOLIN®. Muscle cramps can occur, although these are quite rare. These effects usually wear off within a few hours, but you should tell your doctor as soon as possible. If you have chest pain, if your heart beat feels irregular, or feel unwell in any other way or have any symptoms that you do not understand, you should contact your doctor immediately.
This is not a complete list of side effects. If you have any unexpected effects after receiving VENTOLIN® oral liquid, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
If you notice a sudden worsening of your shortness of breath and wheeze shortly after using your VENTOLIN® oral liquid, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
Some people can be allergic to medicines. If you have any of the following symptoms soon after taking VENTOLIN® oral liquid, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately.
- Sudden wheeziness and chest pain or tightness.
- Swelling of eyelids, face, lips, tongue or throat.
- Lumpy skin rash or “hives” anywhere on the body.
HOW TO STORE IT
Store at a temperature between 15°C to 25°C. Keep out of reach of children.
Protect from light.
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
To monitor drug safety, Health Canada collects information on serious and unexpected effects of drugs . If you suspect you have had a serious or unexpected reaction to this drug you may notify Health Canada by:
toll-free telephone: 866-234-2345 toll-free fax 866-678-6789
By email: cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca
By regular mail:
National AR Centre
Marketed Health Products Safety and Effectiveness Information Division
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Tunney’s Pasture, AL 0701C
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
NOTE: Before contacting Health Canada, you should contact your physician or pharmacist.
MORE INFORMATION
You may need to read this leaflet again. PLEASE DO NOT THROW IT AWAY until you have finished your medicine.
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found at:
http://www.gsk.ca or by contacting the sponsor, GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
7333 Mississauga Road
Mississauga, Ontario
L5N 6L4
1-800-387-7374
Last revised: October 31, 2007
© 2007 GlaxoSmithKline Inc. All Rights Reserved ®VENTOLIN is a registered trademark, used under license by GlaxoSmithKline Inc.