Salbutamol inhaler

Inalatur tas-salbutamol

A quick-acting reliever inhaler that opens the airways during wheeze or breathlessness.

Also known as: Ventolin, blue inhaler

Drug class: Short-acting beta-2 agonist

Forms: inhaler, nebuliser solution

What it is

Salbutamol relaxes the muscle around the airways within minutes. It relieves symptoms but does not treat the underlying inflammation.

X'inhu (Maltese)

Is-salbutamol jirrilassa l-muskolu madwar il-passaġġi tan-nifs fi ftit minuti. Itaffi s-sintomi imma ma jikkurax l-infjammazzjoni ta' taħt.

Used for

  • Asthma symptoms
  • Exercise-induced wheeze
  • COPD symptom relief
Jintuża għal (Maltese)
  • Sintomi tal-ażma
  • Tisfir ikkawżat mill-eżerċizzju
  • Serħan mis-sintomi tal-COPD

Typical use

Used as needed when symptoms occur, and before exercise where advised. Needing it often means control is poor — review treatment. Follow the local formulary or SPC.

Użu tipiku (Maltese)

Jintuża skont il-bżonn meta jinqalgħu s-sintomi, u qabel l-eżerċizzju fejn jingħata parir. Jekk ikollok bżonnu spiss, ifisser li l-kontroll mhux tajjeb — irrevedi l-kura. Segwi l-formularju lokali jew l-SPC.

Common side effects

  • Tremor
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Headache
  • Muscle cramps
Effetti sekondarji komuni (Maltese)
  • Rogħda
  • Taħbit mgħaġġel tal-qalb
  • Uġigħ ta' ras
  • Bugħawwieġ fil-muskoli

Cautions

  • Heart rhythm problems
  • Overactive thyroid
  • Low potassium with high doses
  • Poor inhaler technique reduces effect
Prekawzjonijiet (Maltese)
  • Problemi fir-ritmu tal-qalb
  • Tirojde iperattiva
  • Potassju baxx b'dożi għoljin
  • Teknika ħażina tal-inalatur tnaqqas l-effett

What to tell the patient

This is your rescue inhaler — use it when you are wheezy or short of breath. If you need it more than three times a week, come back so we can review your preventer.

X'tgħid lill-pazjent (Maltese)

Dan huwa l-inalatur ta' emerġenza tiegħek — użah meta jkollok tisfir jew qtugħ ta' nifs. Jekk ikollok bżonnu aktar minn tliet darbiet fil-ġimgħa, erġa' ejja biex nirrevedu l-inalatur ta' prevenzjoni.

Clinical codes

  • ATC R03AC02 · salbutamol

Educational reference only — not a substitute for clinical judgement, local guidelines or the SPC.