Ventamol CFC-Free 100 micrograms, Pressurised Inhalation, Suspension (Salbutamol) For inhalation use Important: Read instructions carefully Wash your inhaler once a week and allow to dry What you need to know about your Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to use your inhaler. It contains important information. If you are not sure about anything or you want to know more, ask your doctor or a pharmacist. This medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to anyone else. It may harm them, even if they seem to have the same symptoms as you have. What is in your medicine Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler contains a medicine called salbutamol. This belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators. Bronchodilators help the airways in your lungs to stay open. This makes it easier for air to get in and out. They help to relieve chest tightness, wheezing and cough. Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler is used to help prevent and treat breathing problems in people with asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease. This type of medicine is known as a reliever. You may be using another medicine to prevent you from having an asthma attack (a preventer ). You can safely use your preventer with your Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler. Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler is for use in adults, adolescents and children. Who makes your medicine Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler is made by Norton Waterford T/A IVAX Pharmaceuticals Ireland, IDA Industrial Park, Cork Road, Waterford, Ireland, who is the product authorisation holder in Ireland. What your medicine does Salbutamol is a bronchodilator and works by widening the airways in your lungs to allow air in and out. This helps you to feel less breathless, wheezy or tight-chested. Your doctor may have given you a Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler to treat asthma. It can also be used to prevent asthma caused by exercise or asthma caused by a reaction to allergens (substances to which you are allergic e.g. house dust, pollen, dogs, cats, cigarette smoke, etc.) or to treat breathing difficulties which are caused by other chest diseases.
This type of medicine is known as a reliever. You may be using another medicine to prevent you from having an asthma attack (a preventer ).You can safely use your preventer with your Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler. Before you take your medicine Please tell your doctor before you start to use your inhaler if you: are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breast-feeding; Are allergic to medicines containing salbutamol or any of the other ingredients listed in the What is in your medicine section; suffer from thyroid problems, diabetes, serious heart disease or high blood pressure; have a condition known as hypoxia (a disorder where the oxygen level in the blood is low, and may cause breathlessness); if you have a history of heart disease, irregular heart rhythm or angina; or are taking other medicines, including any inhalers, and particularly steroids such as prednisolone, diuretics (water tablets usually used to treat high blood pressure), beta-blockers such as propranolol or xanthine derivatives such as aminophylline or theophylline (drugs used to improve breathing for people with asthma). If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding do not use Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler unless your doctor has told you to do so. Do not use your Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler to treat premature labour or threatened miscarriage, as the dose of Salbutamol is too small. If at any time you find that your usual treatment is not working or you need more than 8 puffs (metered doses) per day, or that you feel your asthma is getting worse, please contact your doctor. If you see any other doctor or dentist, please tell them that you are using Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler. How to take your medicine Always use Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Adults and Adolescents (children 12 years and over) To relieve asthma One or two puffs (100 or 200 micrograms). To prevent asthma Two puffs (200 micrograms) 10-15 minutes before exercise or exposure to a recognised allergen. Long term treatment Up to two puffs (200 micrograms) 4 times a day. Children under the age of 12 years To relieve asthma
One puff (100 micrograms). Your doctor may increase this to two puffs (200 micrograms) if required. To prevent asthma One puff (100 micrograms) 10-15 minutes before exercise or exposure to a recognised allergen. Your doctor may increase this to two puffs if required. Long term treatment Up to two puffs (200 micrograms) 4 times a day. The maximum dose is 8 puffs (800 micrograms) in a 24 hour period. An adult should always supervise children when they use Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler. Children may need help to use their inhaler. Parents can help by spraying the aerosol when the child begins to breathe in. If you see another doctor or go to a hospital, take all your medicines and inhalers with you so that you can tell your doctor exactly what you are taking, including Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler. Do not stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to. If your doctor tells you to stop using your Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler, take any inhalers you have left back to your pharmacist. How to use your inhaler You must remember to clean your inhaler once a week to prevent blockage. You should sit or stand upright while taking your inhaler. It is important when using your inhaler to hold it upright as your inhaler will not work if it is not held in this position. Test spray the inhaler by firing two shots into the air before you use it for the first time and also if you have not used it for a period of five days or more. 1. Take the cap off the inhaler. Make sure the mouthpiece is clean and clear of fluff and dirt. 2. Hold the inhaler upright, with your thumb on the base and your first finger on the top of the can*. Now shake the inhaler vigorously up and down. 3. Breathe out normally as far as you comfortably can. Then hold the mouthpiece firmly between your lips. 4. Breathe in slowly and deeply. At the same time as you start to breathe in, press the aerosol can with your first finger to spray the aerosol and release the medicine. Continue to breathe in slowly and deeply.
5. Take the inhaler out of your mouth and hold your breath for 10 seconds, or as long as you comfortably can. Breathe out slowly. 6. If you need to take more than one puff, close the cap, wait about one minute and then start again from step 2. Put the cap back on the inhaler. 7. You must keep your inhaler clean, especially in the mouthpiece. This will prevent deposits from the aerosol building up. To prevent your inhaler becoming blocked you must clean it once a week. 8. What to do if your inhaler stops working properly It is important to clean your inhaler regularly to prevent deposits from the aerosol building up and blocking the inhaler. If your inhaler seems not to be working, it may be that your inhaler has become blocked and you should clean your inhaler according to the section How to clean your inhaler If your inhaler still does not work, return it to your doctor or pharmacist. Important Do not rush steps 3 and 4. It is important that you start to breathe in as slowly as possible just before using your inhaler. Practice in front of the mirror for the first few times. If you see mist coming from the top of the inhaler or the sides of your mouth you should start again from step 2. * Note Children and people with weak hands may find it easier to hold the inhaler with both hands; in this case for step 2 put your two first fingers on the top of the can and both thumbs on the base of the can. * This product is compatible with the volumetric Spacer. How to clean your inhaler Keeping the plastic mouthpiece clean is very important as it will help prevent your inhaler becoming blocked. You must clean your inhaler once a week. A. To clean your inhaler first remove the mouthpiece cap. B. Remove the metal can from the plastic mouthpiece. Do not put the metal can into water C. Rinse the plastic mouthpiece and the mouthpiece cap with warm running water for at least 30 seconds. D. Shake off any excess water and dry the plastic mouthpiece and mouthpiece cap thoroughly (leave to dry overnight if possible) but do not use direct heat. Put the metal can back in your inhaler. Replace the cap.
Failure to allow the mouthpiece to dry properly may result in your inhaler becoming blocked. If you need to use your inhaler before it is dry, shake off any water from the plastic mouthpiece and put the can back in. Test spray the inhaler by firing two puffs in the air before taking your usual dose. Wash and dry the mouthpiece again as described above. What to do if your breathing gets worse If your asthma gets worse immediately after taking a dose of your inhaler, you should stop using your inhaler and contact your doctor at once. He will need to assess your condition and if necessary change you onto a different medicine. What to do if you take too much medicine Your dose has been carefully worked out for you. It is important that you do not take too much. If you accidentally take a larger dose than recommended, you may notice that your heart is beating faster than usual and that you feel shaky. These effects usually wear off in a few hours, but you should tell your doctor as soon as possible. What to do if you forget to take a dose If you forget to use your inhaler, take your recommended number of puffs when you remember, then carry on as before. Never use more than your doctor has told you to. What might happen while you are taking your medicine Like most medicines, Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler can sometimes cause side effects. But most people use this inhaler without any problems. You may have the following side effects while you are using your Ventamol CFC- Free Inhaler: Trembling, especially your hands. Tenseness and muscle cramps. Headaches. Mouth and throat irritation may occur. Rapid heart beat or palpitations. Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions including rash, swelling of the face and throat, wheezing, and reduced blood pressure. Hyperactivity in children. Although it is not known exactly how often this happens, some people may occasionally experience chest pain (due to heart problems such as angina). Tell your doctor/midwife if you develop these symptoms whilst receiving treatment with salbutamol, but do not stop using this medicine unless told to do so. Tell your doctor if you have these or any other side effects, or you are concerned in any way. He or she may decide to change your treatment. Using Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler may lead to low potassium levels in your blood. Your doctor may want to check your blood potassium levels regularly. Looking after your medicine If your inhaler gets very cold, remove the metal can and warm it in your hand for a few minutes before you use it.
Do not warm the can in any other way. Do not store above 25 C. Do not refrigerate or freeze. The canister should not be broken, punctured or burnt even when apparently empty. The canister contains a pressurised liquid. Do not expose to temperatures higher than 50 C. Do not pierce or burn. Don t use your inhaler after the expiry date stamped on the label. Keep out of reach and sight of children. Further information Ventamol CFC-Free Inhaler does not contain CFCs. This means that your Inhaler does not use CFCs to spray the medicine. The propellant used in your inhaler is a hydrofluoroalkane (HFA-134a). HFA-134a does not damage the ozone layer, unlike CFCs. This information only applies to Ventamol CFC-Free 100 micrograms, pressurised inhalation, suspension. Date of revision December 2013