Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine. This provides a summary of the information available on your medicine. For further information or advice ask your doctor or pharmacist.

The name of this medicine is Ventodisks (salbutamol). This is one of a group of medicines called bronchodilators. They can relieve spasm in the small air passages in the lungs and so help to ease breathing problems in asthma and other chest illnesses.

There is more information Inside this leaflet – Please read it carefully.

The name of your medicine is Ventodisks. The active ingredient is salbutamol. This is a bronchodilator which helps to relieve chest tightness and wheezing if you have asthma or another chest illness.

• If you are pregnant (or intending to become pregnant),

• If you are breast feeding a baby,

• If you have ever had to stop taking another medicine for this illness because you were allergic to it or it caused problems,

TELL YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE. In some circumstances this medicine may not be suitable and your doctor may wish to give you a different medicine.

• Are you having treatment for a thyroid condition?

• Are you having treatment for raised blood pressure or a heart problem?

If the answer is YES to either of these questions tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have not already done so.

Make sure that your doctor knows what other medicines you are taking.

• REMEMBER the medicine in Ventodisks is not swallowed but should only be inhaled into your lungs using a special kind of inhaler called a Ventolin Diskhaler inhaler. Make sure that you have one and can use it properly. If you have any difficulties or do not understand the leaflet that comes with it ask your doctor or pharmacist.

• It is important that you inhale each dose from a Ventodisk as instructed by your doctor. The label will usually tell you what dose to take and how often. If it doesn’t or you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Usually the most you would take in a 24 hour period is:

BUT YOU MUST NOT inhale more doses or use your Diskhaler more often than your doctor advises. If your wheezing or breathing is very bad your doctor may tell you to take more as an emergency treatment.

IF YOU MISS A DOSE

• If you forget to inhale a dose do not worry; just inhale the next dose when it is due or before if you become wheezy. Your doctor may have told you to use your inhaler regularly every day or only when you are wheezy or short of breath.

IF YOU TAKE TOO MUCH

• If you accidentally take a LARGER DOSE THAN RECOMMENDED you may notice that your heart is beating faster than usual and that you feel shaky. These effects usually wear off within a few hours but you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.

AFTER TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

• If you notice a sudden worsening of your shortness of breath and wheeze shortly after using your inhaler tell your doctor as soon as possible.

• Children taking this medicine may become restless or excitable although this is very rare. Tell your doctor as soon as possible.

• Very rarely people may get dizzy spells or rashes on the skin or inside their mouth. Tell your doctor IMMEDIATELY.

• If you feel unwell or notice anything unusual or which you do not understand tell your doctor as soon as possible.

STORING YOUR MEDICINE

• Keep your medicine in a safe place where children cannot reach it. Your medicine may harm them.

• Keep Ventodisks away from direct heat or sunlight and store them below 30°C (86°F).

• Do not use this medicine after the date shown as ‘EXP’ on the carton.

• Do not puncture the blisters of the disks until you are ready to inhale a dose.

• If your doctor decides to stop your treatment, return any unused disks to your pharmacist. Only keep them if your doctor tells you to.

Ventodisks are circular foil disks each having eight blisters around the edge. Each blister represents one dose and contains Salbutamol BP and lactose in the form of a very fine powder which you inhale using a blue coloured Ventolin Diskhaler inhaler.

Ventodisks are available as 8 x 200 micrograms (light blue) or 8 x 400 micrograms (dark blue), Salbutamol BP (as sulphate). Your doctor will decide which strength you need.

This leaflet does not contain the complete information about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything then you should ask your doctor or the pharmacist.

You will be able to find more information about prescribed medicines from books which may be found in public libraries.

You may want to read this leaflet again. Please DO NOT THROW IT AWAY until you have finished your medicine.

This leaflet has been prepared in accordance with guidance from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. The information given only applies to Ventodisks.