Consumer medicine information

VENTOLIN Syrup

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 breastfeeding. 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

Published by MIMS September 2023