Salbutamol sulphate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet?
Please read this leaflet carefully before you take Ventolin Syrup.
This leaflet answers some common questions about Ventolin Syrup. It does not contain
all of the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Sometimes new risks are found even when a medicine
has been used for many years. Your doctor has weighed the expected benefits of you
taking Ventolin Syrup against the risks this medicine could have for you.
If there is anything you do not understand or if you have any concerns about taking
this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you want more information, ask your
doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What is Ventolin Syrup used for?
Ventolin Syrup helps you breathe more easily. Ventolin Syrup works by opening up the
airways tubes in your lungs when your chest is tight or when you are wheezing.
Ventolin Syrup belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators. Because the
medicine in your syrup gives relief from your chest symptoms, it is often called a
'reliever'.
There are other types of medicines that prevent wheezing or chest tightness. These
medicines are called 'preventers' and must be used every day. Your doctor may tell
you to use a 'preventer' in addition to your Ventolin Syrup. Ventolin Syrup is not
the only form of Ventolin available. Your doctor will decide which form of Ventolin
is right for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed Ventolin Syrup for another reason.
Ventolin Syrup is not addictive.
Before you take Ventolin Syrup
Do not take if:
You must not take Ventolin Syrup:
if you have ever had an allergic reaction to salbutamol sulphate or any of the ingredients
listed toward the end of this leaflet. (See "Ingredients)
to stop a miscarriage or premature labour.
the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
Tell your doctor if:
You must tell your doctor if:
you are allergic to foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines.
you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription.
you have had to stop taking this or any other asthma medicine for any reason.
you have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition.
you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
you have a heart condition.
you have a liver condition.
you have diabetes.
you are breastfeeding, pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
How do I take Ventolin Syrup?
How much to take
Take Ventolin Syrup as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. The pharmacist's label
will usually tell you how much Ventolin Syrup should be taken. If you are not sure,
ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If your condition suddenly gets worse, your doctor may tell you to increase your dose.
How to take it
Take Ventolin Syrup as directed by your doctor.
How long to take it for
Your doctor will decide how often and for how long you have to take Ventolin Syrup.
The pharmacist's label will usually tell you how often to take Ventolin Syrup. If
you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not stop taking Ventolin Syrup or change the dose without first checking with your
doctor.
What do I do if I take too much? (Overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (in Australia telephone
131126 and in New Zealand telephone 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) for advice, if you
think you or anyone else may have taken too much Ventolin Syrup, even if there are
no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You should contact your nearest hospital emergency
department without delay. You may need urgent medical attention.
If you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor, pharmacist or nearest hospital.
Symptoms of an overdose may include:
an increased rate of breathing due to increased acid in the blood
nausea
vomiting
Some side effects, for example changes in blood sugar (glucose) level or changes in
blood potassium level can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time
to check your progress.
While you are taking Ventolin Syrup
Things you must do
You should only take the dose of Ventolin Syrup that is directed by the doctor or
pharmacist.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as directed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not working as it should and change your
treatment unnecessarily.
If you forget a dose, do not worry. Just take the next dose at the normal time.
If your Ventolin Syrup does not help your breathing as much as usual, tell your doctor
as soon as possible. If the effect of your syrup does not last as long as usual or
lasts less than 3 hours, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
These may be signs that your chest condition is getting worse.
If your Ventolin Syrup is not having the same effect as before, your doctor may decide
to prescribe other forms of Ventolin, or another medicine, for you to use.
This medicine is only one part of a general plan to help you manage your asthma or
other chest condition. You should discuss this plan with your doctor. Ask your doctor
to check your treatment regularly.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Your doctor will tell
you which medicine you should take. It is important that asthma is managed well during
pregnancy and you should not stop your medicine without asking your doctor.
Things you must not do
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use Ventolin Syrup to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says to.
What are the side-effects?
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you think you are experiencing any side
effects or allergic reactions due to taking Ventolin Syrup, even if the problem is
not listed below.
Like other medicines, Ventolin Syrup can cause some side-effects. If they occur, they
are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical
attention.
The most commonly reported side-effects are:
headache
nausea
shaky or tense feeing
your heart beats faster than usual
'warm' feeling
Rare side effects are:
muscle cramps
restlessness
Tell your doctor or pharmacist but do not stop taking your syrup.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
skin rash
angioedema (sudden swelling under the skin)
faint or dizzy feeling.
wheezing, swelling of the lips/mouth, difficulty in breathing, hayfever, lumpy rash
(hives) or fainting. These could be a symptom of an allergic reaction.
irregular heart beat.
You should stop taking your Ventolin Syrup immediately.
In a few people, the medicine in Ventolin Syrup may affect their blood potassium and
blood sugar levels. Your doctor may do tests to check this.
This is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. Others may occur in some
people and there may be some side-effects not yet known.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any side effects from your medicine,
which are not mentioned here.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side-effects. You may not experience any
of them.
How do I store Ventolin Syrup?
Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it, such as in a locked cupboard.
Keep Ventolin Syrup away from heat (store below 30°C) and protect from light.
Do not leave in a car, on a window sill or in the bathroom.
Keep Ventolin Syrup in its bottle until time to take. You will find an expiry (or
use by) date printed on the manufacturer's label on the bottle and on the carton.
Do not take your syrup after this date.
Return any unused or expired medicine to your pharmacist.
Product description
What Ventolin Syrup looks like
The Ventolin Syrup box carton contains 150 mL Ventolin Syrup in a glass bottle with
a plastic cap. The cap has a tamper proof feature. Ventolin Syrup has no colour and
has a sweet taste with the flavour of oranges.
Ingredients
Ventolin Syrup contains the active ingredient salbutamol sulphate. Each 5 mL of syrup
contains 2 mg of salbutamol sulphate.
Ventolin Syrup also contains the following inactive ingredients: sodium citrate, citric
acid monohydrate, hypromellose, sodium benzoate, saccharin sodium, sodium chloride,
orange flavouring and water.
Supplier
Ventolin Syrup is supplied in Australia by:
GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd
Level 4
436 Johnston Street
Abbotsford Victoria 3067
Australia
Ventolin Syrup is supplied in New Zealand by:
GlaxoSmithKline NZ Limited
Private Bag 106600
Downtown
Auckland
New Zealand
Where to go for further information
Pharmaceutical companies are not in a position to give people an individual diagnosis
or medical advice. Your doctor or pharmacist is the best person to give you advice
on the treatment of your condition. You may also be able to find general information
about your disease and its treatment from patient information groups and product specific
organisations eg. asthma foundation.
This leaflet was prepared on
18 September 2019
The information provided applies only to: Ventolin Syrup.
Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.
Ventolin Syrup: AUST R 92339
© 2019 GSK group of companies or its licensor.
Version 7.0