Ventolin is one of the most effective and popular bronchodilators sold in Singaporean pharmacies. The composition of Ventolin includes the active ingredient Albuterol, which in many countries (including Singapore) is also known under the second generic name “Salbutamol”.
The owner of the rights to manufacture and sell Ventolin in Singapore is the well-known pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Ventolin is intended for the symptomatic treatment and/or prevention of such respiratory diseases, as:
- emphysema
- asthma of any type
- chronical bronchitis
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Ventolin helps to quickly and effectively alleviate dry cough, shortness of breath or wheezing when breathing, caused by exposure to an allergen (dust, strong smells, pollen) or physical loads.
Ventolin was approved for use and sale in Singapore on May 26, 1989. In more than 27 years of sales in Singapore pharmaceutical market, Ventolin has gained a widespread popularity as one of the best drugs for alleviating the symptoms of asthma or COPD.
To date, Ventolin is sold in Singaporean pharmacies in seven dosage forms that contain a different dose of the active ingredient Albuterol:
- tablets of 2 mg
- nebules of 2,5 mg/2,5 ml
- evohalers of 100 mcg
- accuhalers of 200 mcg
- oral liquid of 2 mg/5 ml
- respirator solution of 0.5%
- solution for intravenous infusion of 5 mg/5 ml
To buy Ventolin in Singapore, you need to have a prescription for this bronchodilator. However, some online pharmacies offer Singaporeans the opportunity to order Ventolin without a prescription.
Ventolin is prescribed for asthma monotherapy, or as an additional medication in combination with corticosteroids, like Asmanex (Mometasone), Flixotide (Fluticasone), Pulmicort (Budesonide), Clenil (Beclomethasone) or Alvesco (Ciclesonide).
Ventolin quickly penetrates the respiratory tract, and helps to relieve bronchial spasms, wheezing or coughing in about five minutes after inhalation. The duration of the therapeutic effect of Ventolin is approximately four to six hours.
The therapeutic effect of Ventolin lies in the suppression bronchial spasms by relaxing and expanding the walls of the airways. For an effective treatment or prevention of asthma, use Ventolin inhalers or oral liquid in accordance with the recommended dosing schedule:
- at the beginning of the symptomatic asthma treatment, 100 mcg of Ventolin should be administered four times a day;
- if the initial dose of Ventolin is not sufficient to effectively relieve bronchial spasms, it can be increased to the maximum;
- for an emergency relief of asthma symptoms, 200 mcg of Ventolin should be used, which is equivalent to one oral inhalation;
- the maximum daily dose of Ventolin is 800 mcg, divided into four equal doses.
Ventolin tablets are recommended to be taken by 12-16 mg per day, depending on the intensity of asthma symptoms and the patient’s personal response to the therapeutic effect. Pediatric patients with asthma may be prescribed 1 or 2 tablets of Ventolin 4 mg, taken three or four times a day.
Ventolin tablets are recommended to be taken whole, without dividing them into two or more parts. Food does not affect the absorption rate or the duration of Ventolin therapeutic effect.
Ventolin inhalers are very easy to use, yet some patients may need a little practice. Recommendations for the inhaler use are available in the instructions that accompany each Ventolin package.
Ventolin has a high safety profile, and can be used not only by adults, but also by geriatric patients or children aged 4 and older. In Singapore, Ventolin is the drug of choice for emergency relief of asthma or COPD symptoms.
However, Ventolin has a teratogenic effect. For this reason, Ventolin is contraindicated in pregnant women, especially with intrauterine infection, eclampsia or bleeding. The list of Ventolin contraindications also includes:
- cardiovascular risk factors, including pulmonary hypertension;
- use to prevent pregnancy or induce labor;
- hypersensitivity to Albuterol, lactose or other Ventolin components.
Ventolin may cause dose-dependent adverse reactions, including headaches, tachycardia, or tremor. The list of the rarest adverse reactions of Ventolin includes hyperactivity, urticaria, hypokalemia, and cardiac arrhythmia.
Prolonged use Ventolin in high doses can cause heart palpitations, coronary heart disease, and lactic acidosis. To avoid these undesirable phenomena, use Ventolin inhalers or oral liquid no more than four times a day.
Patients with thyroid disorders, including thyrotoxicosis, should take precautions while going through a course of Ventolin. Titration of the daily dose of this bronchodilator may be required for patients with acute asthma, who use Ventolin concomitantly with such drugs, as:
- steroids (Prednisone, aka Deltasone)
- diuretics (Furosemide, which is manufactured under the brand Lasix)
- Xanthine derivatives (Pentoxifylline, manufactured under the Trental brand)
Additional questions about the dosage regimen and precautions can be asked to the pharmacist during the purchase of Ventolin at a local pharmacy in Singapore.
Ventolin manufacturer, GSK Company, has developed several assistance programs for patients, who have no health insurance, or are covered by Medicare Part D. These Ventolin save programs are for US residents only.
However, some online pharmacies and Singapore pharmacies provide their own discounts and/or Ventolin discount cards for patients with asthma or COPD. Thus, this drug for the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases is available today to a large number of Singaporean patients.
Before buying Ventolin directly from the manufacturer, GSK, patients can learn detailed information about the management, treatment or prevention of obstructive respiratory diseases.
GSK also provides free online consultations with a licensed pulmonologist for all patients, who wish to buy Ventolin and want to clarify how to use it correctly.