Ventolin Respirator Solution: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What VENTOLIN Respirator Solution is used for:

VENTOLIN Respirator Solution is used in adults and children (5 years and older) to treat severe, worsening breathing problems (bronchospasm) associated with:

• chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the airways of the lungs with mucus production);
• bronchial asthma (inflammation of the airways of the lungs).

How VENTOLIN Respirator Solution works:

VENTOLIN Respirator Solution belongs to a group of medicines known as “bronchodilators”. It works by relaxing the muscles of the small airways in the lungs. This helps open up the narrowed airways of the lungs making it easier to breath.

The ingredients in VENTOLIN Respirator Solution are:

Medicinal ingredient: Salbutamol sulfate.

Non-medicinal ingredients: Benzalkonium chloride (0.01% w/v), dilute sulphuric acid, and water for injection.

VENTOLIN Respirator Solution comes in the following dosage forms:

Solution for oral inhalation using either a respirator or a nebulizer: 5 mg/mL of salbutamol (as salbutamol sulfate).

Do not use VENTOLIN Respirator Solution if:

• you are allergic to salbutamol sulfate or any of the other ingredients in VENTOLIN Respirator Solution.
• you have abnormal heart rhythms with a fast heartbeat (tachyarrhythmias).
• for the treatment of preterm labour or miscarriage.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take VENTOLIN Respirator Solution. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• have ever had to stop taking another medicine for this condition because you were allergic to it or because it caused problems.
• have thyroid problems.
• have heart or blood vessel problems.
• have high blood pressure.
• have diabetes.
• have a past history of seizures.

• have low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), especially if you are taking:

  • medicines known as xanthine derivatives (e.g., theophylline);
  • steroids, medicines used to treat asthma;
  • diuretics also known as “water pills”, medicines used to lower fluid levels and treat high blood pressure.
• have low oxygen levels in your body (hypoxia).

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking VENTOLIN Respirator Solution during pregnancy may cause harm to your baby. Your healthcare professional will consider the benefit to you and the risk to your baby of taking VENTOLIN Respirator Solution while you're pregnant.

• are breastfeeding, plan to breastfeed, or are in labour. It is not known if VENTOLIN Respirator Solution passes into breast milk.

Other warnings you should know about:

You should always carry your fast-acting aerosol or dry powder asthma medication with you to use immediately in case you experience an asthma attack.

Overuse: If you are using VENTOLIN Respirator Solution more than twice a week to treat your asthma symptoms (not including before or after exercise or other triggers) talk to your healthcare professional. This may be a sign that your asthma is not well controlled and may increase the risk of severe asthma attacks. Your healthcare professional may need to reassess your treatment.

Paradoxical bronchospasm: If you feel tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness right after using VENTOLIN Respirator Solution, you may have a serious condition called “paradoxical bronchospasm” (an unexpected closing of your airways). Stop using VENTOLIN Respirator Solution and seek medical help right away.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with VENTOLIN Respirator Solution:

• anti-depressants, medicines used to treat depression (e.g., monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants).
• medicines used to treat allergies.
• beta-blockers, medicines used to lower blood pressure (e.g., propranolol).
• diuretics also known as “water pills”, medicines used to lower fluid levels and treat high blood pressure.
• other bronchodilators, medicines used to open the airway (e.g., asthma medicines such as ipratropium bromide).
• epinephrine, a medicine that can be used to treat allergic reactions or sudden asthma attacks.
• digoxin, a medicine used to treat certain heart problems.

How to take VENTOLIN Respirator Solution:

• Take VENTOLIN Respirator Solution exactly as directed by your healthcare professional.
• It is important that you use your VENTOLIN Respirator Solution properly. This will ensure that you receive the prescribed dose of your medicine. Make sure you know how, when, and how much solution you should use. Follow your healthcare professional’s instructions carefully. If you are not sure, ask your healthcare professional.
• VENTOLIN Respirator Solution should only be inhaled from a nebulizer (or a respirator). It must not be injected or swallowed. Avoid any other routes of administration.
• At home, VENTOLIN Respirator Solution should be diluted immediately before use.
• The nebulizer or respirator should be properly functioning and regularly maintained. Before starting treatment, be certain that you are completely familiar with the use and proper care of your nebulizer or respirator.
• Do NOT let the VENTOLIN Respirator Solution or the mist produced by the nebulizer or respirator get in your eyes. This may cause unwanted side effects.
• Use your nebulizer in a well-ventilated room. Some of the mist will be released into the air and may be breathed in by others.
• If VENTOLIN Respirator Solution is administered to you by a healthcare professional, they may monitor your blood and lung function.
• Other medicines (including asthma medicines) should only be used with VENTOLIN Respirator Solution when prescribed by your healthcare professional.
• If you are using an asthma anti-inflammatory medicine daily (such as an inhaled corticosteroid) continue using it regularly, even if you feel better.

You should call your healthcare professional immediately if:

• the effects of one dose last less than 3 hours;
• you notice a sudden worsening of your shortness of breath shortly after taking your medicine;
• your symptoms get worse (for example you have frequent symptoms or flare ups such as breathlessness, cough, wheezing, tight chest, night-time awakening or limited physical ability);
• your usual dose does not provide relief of wheezing or chest tightness;
• you need to use VENTOLIN Respirator Solution more often than before.

These may be signs that your asthma or chest condition is getting worse. Your healthcare professional may want to reassess your treatment plan.

Instructions for Use of VENTOLIN Respirator Solution

1. 1. When preparing the solution for inhalation, use a graduated syringe to draw up VENTOLIN Respirator Solution from the bottle at the dose directed by your physician. Note: Close the VENTOLIN Respirator Solution bottle as soon as the solution is drawn into the syringe. Keep the bottle closed at all times and do not open it unnecessarily.
2. 2. Inject the solution into the nebulizer through the appropriate opening.
3. 3. Draw into the syringe the amount of diluting fluid (sterile normal saline) directed by your physician and add it to the nebulizer. 1 mL of VENTOLIN Respirator Solution is usually diluted with 2 to 5 mL of sterile normal saline.
4. 4. Gently shake the nebulizer and connect it with the mouthpiece or face mask.
5. 5. Connect the apparatus to the air pump or oxygen and start the treatment.
6. 6. Breathe calmly and evenly as much as possible until no more mist is formed in the nebulizing chamber. At this point, treatment is finished.
7. 7. Any unused solution in the nebulizer should be discarded.

Children: VENTOLIN Respirator Solution should be used under the supervision of an adult who understands the proper use of the nebulizer, and only as prescribed by the healthcare professional.

Care of the VENTOLIN Respirator Solution and Nebulizer

After each use, clean the syringe and nebulizer as instructed in the nebulizer manual or as follows:

To clean the nebulizer:

1. 1. Disassemble the supply tube and the nebulizer.
2. 2. Wash in warm detergent solution. Rinse the tube with water.
3. 3.

   To wash the suction tubes:

   1. a. Place 3 mL of detergent solution in the vial, assemble the unit and operate for 2 minutes.
   2. b. Disassemble and rinse the vial with warm water, place 3 mL of warm water in the vial, assemble the unit and operate for 2 minutes.
   3. c. Disassemble and rinse with warm water.
4. 4.

   To dry the external passage:

   1. a. Connect the nebulizer tube to the pump with the supply tube.
   2. b. Turn the pump and blow air through for 1 minute.
5. 5. If there is evidence of clogging, clean the openings and tube connectors with the detergent, then rinse with water.
6. 6. Reassemble.

To clean the syringe:

1. 1. Clean the syringe and needle several times in detergent solution by alternatively drawing up and expelling the detergent solution.
2. 2. Repeat using a rinse of warm water.
3. 3. Dry the needle by drawing air into the syringe several times, by moving the plunger back and forth in the barrel of the syringe. Remove the needle.
4. 4. Remove the plunger from the syringe, allow to air dry.
5. 5. Keep unassembled needle, plunger and barrel of syringe wrapped in clean tissue, stored in a refrigerator along with the VENTOLIN Respirator Solution bottle.

Follow all the instructions of the nebulizer and air pump manufacturers for the proper care and maintenance of the apparatus.

Usual dose:

Your healthcare professional will decide your dose of VENTOLIN Respirator Solution. This may depend on your condition, your age, and how you react to VENTOLIN Respirator Solution. Your dose may be repeated every 4 to 6 hours as directed.

The usual dose is as follows:

• Adults and Adolescents (13 years of age and older): 0.5 to 1 mL (2.5 to 5 mg of salbutamol) diluted in 2 to 5 mL or more of sterile normal saline. This may be repeated every 4 to 6 hours to a maximum 4 times a day if necessary.
• Children (5 to 12 years of age): 0.25 to 0.5 mL (1.25 to 2.5 mg of salbutamol) diluted in 2 to 5 mL or more of sterile normal saline. 1 mL (5 mg of salbutamol) may be used if the child’s condition has not improved. This may be repeated every 4 to 6 hours to a maximum 4 times a day if necessary.

Do not increase the dose or the number of times you use your medicine without asking your healthcare professional, as this may make you feel worse.

Overdose:

If you accidentally take a larger dose than prescribed, you are more likely to get side effects. These may include a faster heart beat, headaches, and feeling shaky or restless. These effects usually wear off within a few hours, but you should tell your healthcare professional as soon as possible.

If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much VENTOLIN Respirator Solution, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.

Missed dose:

If you miss or forget to inhale a dose, skip the missed dose. Inhale the next dose at the time you would normally take it, or inhale a dose sooner than when it is scheduled if you become wheezy.

Possible side effects from using VENTOLIN Respirator Solution:

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking VENTOLIN Respirator Solution. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

Side effects of VENTOLIN Respirator Solution may include:

• changes in behaviours such as restlessness, excitability (hyperactivity) in children;
• changes in sleep patterns in children;
• difficulty urinating;
• drowsiness;
• dry or irritated throat;
• feeling a little shaky;
• feeling anxious, irritable, or nervous;
• flushing;
• headache;
• muscle cramps;
• trouble sleeping (insomnia);
• unusual taste in your mouth;
• vertigo.

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

• Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
• Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.

NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

Storage:

• Store VENTOLIN Respirator Solution between 15°C to 25°C. Protect from light.
• Discard if not used within one month of opening.

Keep out of sight and reach of children.

If you want more information about VENTOLIN Respirator Solution:

• Talk to your healthcare professional.
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website (www.gsk.ca); or by calling 1-800-387-7374.

You may need to read this leaflet again. PLEASE DO NOT THROW IT AWAY until you have finished your medicine.

Date of Authorization: 2025-08-29

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