Explanation

Salbutamol is a medicine to help control your asthma. It belongs to a family of medicines called bronchodilators.

What does salbutamol do?

Salbutamol is used to help with wheezing and breathlessness if you have asthma. It works by opening up the airways in your lungs to make it easier for air to get in and out. This helps you to breathe more easily.

Taking salbutamol before doing something that you know will make you wheezy (for example, playing sport or going outside where there is lots of pollen) can also help stop attacks of wheezing from happening.

Salbutamol works fast, but the effects only last for about 4 hours.

What does it look like?

Salbutamol is a very fine powder. You breathe the powder into your lungs using an inhaler.

When do I have to take it?

You can use your inhaler any time of the day.

You should take salbutamol straight away if you feel wheezy or feel like you can't breathe properly.

You can also take salbutamol before doing something that might cause wheeziness (for example, playing sport). You should take salbutamol 10 to 15 minutes before doing anything like this.

Your doctor or asthma nurse will tell you how often you should take your salbutamol and when you should take it. Always use your inhaler exactly as your doctor or asthma nurse has told you!

But what if I don't feel like taking it?

If you don't take your salbutamol when you feel wheezy or short of breath, then you might start finding it harder and harder to breathe and you could have a full-on asthma attack.

Try to remember to carry it with you, so you always have it, just in case you need it!

What should I do if I forget to take it?

If you do forget to take your salbutamol, don't worry. Take your next dose when it is due, or if you feel wheezy.

If you don't have your salbutamol on you, make sure you tell someone right away if you start finding it difficult to breathe.

How much do I take?

This depends on how old you are and how bad your asthma is. Some kids use their inhaler at the same time every day, whereas some kids only use it when they are wheezy or short of breath. Your doctor will tell you the best way for you to take your salbutamol.

If you have a 100 mcg inhaler, you should only take one or two puffs on the inhaler at any one time. Don't take more than eight puffs in 24 hours (in other words, don't take more than eight puffs in one whole day, including the night time).

If you have a 200 mcg inhaler, you should only take one puff on the inhaler at any one time. Don't take more than four puffs in 24 hours.

Taking the right dose is important. It's the best way to stay well, without getting side effects.

What are the most likely side effects I might I get if I take salbutamol?

The side effects that you are most likely to have if you take salbutamol are:

Feeling a bit shaky

Feeling like your heart is beating fast or unevenly

What other side effects might I get?

Less likely side effects are:

Headache

Dry mouth, a cough, or a tickly mouth and throat (rinsing out your mouth with water or cleaning your teeth after using salbutamol can help to reduce these effects)

Feeling weak and thirsty)

Pain in your muscles

Feeling dizzy

Feeling restless or excitable

These effects usually wear off after you've been using salbutamol for a while. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of these side effects become really bad or start really annoying you, or if you notice any other side effects that aren't in the list.

Is it safe for me to be taking salbutamol?

Before using salbutamol, you should tell your doctor about any other medical problems that you know you have.

Especially if you have:

high blood pressure

a history of heart disease or any other disease that might affect your blood vessels

an infection in your lungs

diabetes or a problem with your blood sugar levels

phaeochromocytoma

An overactive thyroid gland

Low levels of calcium in your blood

Also, remember to tell your doctor if you have any allergies - to salbutamol or anything else. Salbutamol also contains lactose (a type of sugar), which can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Is it OK for me to take salbutamol if I'm already taking other medicines?

Make sure you tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines to help control your asthma.

You should also mention things you're taking for other medical problems, including drugs, special foods or herbal remedies.

It's especially important to tell your doctor if you're taking:

Medicines from a family of drugs called methylxanthines (for example, theophylline or aminophylline)

steroids (also called corticosteroids)

Beta-blocking drugs (for example, propranolol)

Medicines used to treat depression

Medicines that are diuretics

Do I need to know anything else about salbutamol?

If your breathing or wheezing gets worse after using the inhaler, stop using it and tell the adults looking after you or your doctor straight away. You might need a different type of medication.

You might have an allergic reaction after taking salbutamol, although this is very rare. Tell the adults looking after you or contact your doctor or hospital straight away if you notice the following signs:

Itchy rash

Swelling of your face, neck, hands, feet or lips

Difficulty breathing

Feeling faint or lightheaded

If you collapse

Also, contact your doctor as soon as you can if you find that:

You need to use the inhaler more often than usual

The medicine doesn't work as well or the effects don't last as long as they did when you first started using it

It may be that your asthma is getting worse and perhaps you need extra medicine to help.

What if I have any more questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people with asthma in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.