Salbutamol inhaler (Salamol)

Salbutamol is a fast-acting bronchodilator that relieves asthma symptoms, like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. It is a type of medication called a short-acting beta-2 agonist, which means it temporarily relaxes the smooth muscles in your lungs to widen the airways, making it easier to breathe.

Salbutamol is the main ingredient in a salbutamol inhaler, also known as a blue or reliever inhaler or puffer. These inhalers are used only when you need them, such as when you’re having symptoms of an asthma attack, which is different from a preventer inhaler. Preventer inhalers are used regularly to stop asthma symptoms from occurring.

A salbutamol inhaler works by relaxing your airways during an asthma attack, so you can breathe more easily. The active ingredient, salbutamol, binds to the receptors in the smooth muscles of your lungs, so they relax. This helps to widen the airways, making breathing easier.

How long does salbutamol take to work?

A salbutamol inhaler gets to work as soon as you take the first puff. It can provide relief from symptoms, including coughing and wheezing, in as little as 5 minutes.

How long does salbutamol last?

The effects of a salbutamol or Salamol inhaler last for 4 to 6 hours, which means it only temporarily relaxes the smooth muscles in the airways. It also means that any salbutamol side effects should be short-lasting.

How effective is salbutamol?

Salbutamol is a highly effective medication used in the successful management of asthma symptoms. The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists salbutamol as one of the safest and most effective essential medications available to the healthcare system.

Further research has shown that severe side effects occurred in only 2% of people, while 3% stopped treatment with a salbutamol inhaler because of side effects. This shows that reliever inhalers containing salbutamol, including Salamol and Ventolin, are safe.

A salbutamol inhaler, or Salamol inhaler, is a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). That means it contains a canister of medication and delivers a preset amount of salbutamol into the airways via your mouth through each puff (dose).

You should use your salbutamol inhaler as and when you need it – it is not intended for regular use.

Before use

Before you use the inhaler for the first time, or if you have not used it for 5 days or more, you need to test it to make sure it is working properly by releasing 2 puffs of medication into the air. Your inhaler is now ready to use.

Using your inhaler

To use your salbutamol blue inhaler, you should:

1. Make sure you are standing or sitting upright when using the inhaler.
2. Take the cap off the mouthpiece and make sure it is clean and free from any dirt inside.
3. Shake the inhaler up and down so that the medication is well mixed. Hold the inhaler upright with your thumb on the base and your first finger on the top of the canister.
4. Breathe out as far as you can. Then, hold the mouthpiece in your mouth between your lips, being careful not to bite down on it with your teeth.
5. Begin to breathe in slowly through your mouth, and as you do so, press down on the canister to release the medication. Keep breathing in slowly and deeply.
6. Hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as you comfortably can. Now remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly.
7. If you have been prescribed 2 puffs, wait 1 minute, then repeat steps 3 to 6.
8. When you have finished using the inhaler, replace the cap on the mouthpiece, making sure you hear it click into place.

When to take salbutamol

A salbutamol blue inhaler should be used as and when needed, such as:

• when you get asthma symptoms, like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath
• before being exposed to an asthma trigger, like exercise or pet hair

If you need to use your salbutamol inhaler more than twice a week, you should speak to your doctor, as your doctor may need to review your asthma treatment plan.

How often can you take salbutamol?

You can take salbutamol as and when you need it. However, it should not be used regularly, so if you need to use it more than twice a week, contact your doctor for more advice.

Salbutamol dosage

The usual salbutamol inhaler dosage for asthma management is 1 or 2 puffs as needed, and it can be used up to 4 times in 24 hours.

Like all medications, salbutamol can cause side effects, although there is no guarantee you will get them.

Salbutamol inhaler side effects include:

Common side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 people, include:

• feeling tense
• headaches
• feeling shaky
• dizziness

Uncommon side effects, affecting up to 1 in 100 people, are:

• muscle pain
• muscle cramps
• mouth and throat irritation

Rare side effects, affecting up to 1 in 1000 people, are:

• low blood potassium levels
• increased blood lactate and acid levels
• sleep disturbances
• hallucinations
• fast and irregular heartbeat
• increased blood flow to the extremities (peripheral dilatation)

Very rare side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10,000 people, are:

• difficulty sleeping
• itchy skin
• trembling

A full list of side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet that comes with your salbutamol inhaler.

How long do salbutamol side effects last?

Most salbutamol side effects will improve within 30 minutes to a few hours. The beneficial effects of salbutamol only last for 4 to 6 hours, so side effects are usually temporary.

What to do if you get salbutamol side effects

If you get side effects after using your salbutamol inhaler, there are a few things you can do, such as:

• taking over-the-counter painkillers to manage pain, such as headaches or muscle pain
• staying hydrated
• trying breathing techniques to help with dizziness or shakiness
• rinsing your mouth with water and spitting it out after each use

If you get any of the following serious side effects, stop using the Salamol inhaler and see a doctor right away or call 999 in an emergency:

• difficulty breathing
• wheezing or coughing
• swollen face or throat
• low blood pressure or collapse

A salbutamol inhaler may not be suitable for everyone. Do not use it if you:

• are allergic to salbutamol sulfate or any other ingredient listed
• unexpectedly go into early labour or threatened abortion

Tell your doctor before taking salbutamol if you have:

• high blood pressure
• an overactive thyroid
• a fast or irregular heartbeat, angina, or any other heart problems

Salbutamol and other medications

Before taking salbutamol, let your doctor know if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.

Tell your doctor if you are taking:

• xanthine derivatives or steroids to treat asthma
• water tablets, also known as diuretics
• fast or irregular heartbeat medications
• any other medications to treat asthma

Some medications can influence the effectiveness of salbutamol. These include:

• beta-blockers
• heart disease medications, like digoxin
• depression medications
• medications to treat chronic alcohol use
• metronidazole

Can I use my salbutamol inhaler if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Before using a salbutamol inhaler, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or think you might be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby.

You can buy a salbutamol inhaler from a trusted online doctor service. They are also available on the NHS, but you must have a prescription from a doctor.

Can I buy salbutamol online?

Yes, if you have already been prescribed salbutamol to treat asthma symptoms by a doctor, you can get a repeat prescription or order from Asda Online Doctor by:

1. Completing a short online health consultation.
2. One of our doctors will review your answers and make sure a repeat salbutamol inhaler is right for you.
3. If your request is approved, your medication can be posted to your home address, or you can choose to collect it from a local Asda Pharmacy.

By ordering a repeat salbutamol inhaler from us, you can save the hassle of arranging a face-to-face appointment and conveniently get your treatment delivered straight to your door.

Please note: You must already be using a salbutamol inhaler to get repeat treatment from Asda Online Doctor. If you would like to start treatment, you must make an appointment to see your usual GP.

Can I buy a salbutamol inhaler over the counter?

No, salbutamol is a prescription-only medication, so you must have a doctor's approval to obtain a salbutamol inhaler.

Can I get salbutamol on the NHS?

Yes, salbutamol is available on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with a GP to discuss your treatment options. If you have not yet been diagnosed with asthma, your doctor can assess your symptoms and check if you do have it, and what treatment would be best.

A generic salbutamol inhaler is not the only available reliever inhaler. At Asda Online Doctor, we can also provide a repeat prescription for the following:

1. Ventolin – a branded version of salbutamol, which contains exactly the same medication with the same safety profile and effectiveness. The main difference is that Ventolin tends to cost more because it is a branded medication.
2. Fostair – a combination inhaler usually used daily as a preventer inhaler, but can also be used as a reliever, as it contains a bronchodilator medication.
3. Symbicort – another combination inhaler that contains a corticosteroid to prevent asthma symptoms and a bronchodilator to relieve them.

If you need a repeat preventer or combination inhaler, check our asthma service to see if we have yours.

Salamol vs Ventolin

A Salamol CFC-free inhaler and Ventolin both contain salbutamol and are blue reliever inhalers. They work in exactly the same way, contain the same dosage, and share the same effectiveness rates. The biggest difference is that Salamol is a more cost-effective generic alternative to Ventolin, which uses less propellant gas, so it has a lower carbon footprint.

Salbutamol vs terbutaline

Both salbutamol and terbutaline are short-acting beta-2 agonists used as reliever inhalers for asthma symptoms. They both work by relaxing the muscles in the airways to make breathing easier. An early study found that salbutamol had a greater bronchodilator effect in the first hour after use than terbutaline.

A doctor can help you find the right asthma treatment for you.