Salbutamol sulphate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet?
Please read this leaflet carefully before you take Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup.
This leaflet answers some common questions about Ventolin Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free Syrup used for?
Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup helps you breathe more easily. Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup works by opening up the airways tubes in your lungs when your chest is tight or when you are wheezing.
Ventolin Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free Syrup. Ventolin Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free Syrup for another reason.
Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup is not addictive.
Before you take Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup
Do not take if:
You must not take Ventolin Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free Syrup?
How much to take
Take Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. The pharmacist's label will usually tell you how much Ventolin Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free Syrup. The pharmacist's label will usually tell you how often to take Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not stop taking Ventolin Sugar Free 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 if you think or anyone else may have taken too much Ventolin Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free Syrup
Things you must do
You should only take the dose of Ventolin Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free Syrup, even if the problem is not listed below.
Like other medicines, Ventolin Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free Syrup immediately.
In a few people, the medicine in Ventolin Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free Syrup?
Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it, such as in a locked cupboard.
Keep Ventolin Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free 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 Sugar Free Syrup looks like
The Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup box carton contains a 150 mL Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup in a glass bottle with a plastic cap. The cap has a tamper proof feature. Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup has no colour and has a sweet taste with the flavour of oranges.
Ingredients
Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup contains the active ingredient salbutamol sulphate. Each 5 mL of syrup contains 2 mg of salbutamol sulphate.
Ventolin Sugar Free Syrup also contains the following inactive ingredients: sodium citrate, citric acid monohydrate, hypromellose, sodium benzoate, saccharin sodium, sodium chloride, orange flavouring and water.
