Albuterol inhaler

Couple days ago, my pulmonologist gave me a sample "Ventolin HFA" inhalation Aerosol to help my occasional allergy induced shortness of breath. I have yet to use it ---- due to the side effect warning of "may induce rapid heart rate." Am I being too gun-shy?
EP doc stated, "It is OK to use."

3 Comments

Hi Dave

by IAN MC - 2014-11-27 03:11:49

I used to work for the company that makes Ventolin , I can only give you a few facts and then you can make up your own mind :-

- Ventolin is a VERY widely used drug

- Here in the UK Ventolin is the number one treatment for asthma . Most of the 5 million asthmatics here take it when they have attacks . As you know it is a broncho-dilator so when you are having one of your allergy-induced breathlessness attacks the Ventolin would open up your airways and give you instant relief.

- I imagine that there must be over 25 million asthmatics in the US . A large proportion of them will be taking it.

- It can raise the heart rate in some people , probably around 1 in every 100 . The vast majority of people take it without any problems.

- the increase in heart rate is usually less than a 20 % increase and is TEMPORARY

- this particular side-effect is dose-related . People with chronic asthma who take Ventolin very frequently are far more likely to experience it

I suspect that your allergy -induced attacks of breathlessness are far more unpleasant than a transient increase in heart rate which you probably wouldn't get anyway. So I would go along with your EP 's advice that " It is OK to use " .

I am assuming of course that you don't already suffer from tachycardia.

Too gun-shy ? I think so.

Ian

Ventolin

by Alma Annie - 2014-11-27 07:11:03

Hi Dave,
I often use ventolin for mild asthma. I have never had a problem with fast heart rate, and even if I did I would rather be able to breathe well than be struggling for breath with a lower heart rate.
Hope this helps.
Alma Annie

Ventolin and Cardiac problems

by Selwyn - 2014-12-02 01:12:49

Salbutamol, the beta 2 agonist drug, sold as Ventolin can interact with other medication. I trust your doctor has taken this into account, along with your medical condition.

I have found a bit of a rapid heart rate on using the drug myself ( indeed I thought it helped my sick sinus syndrome before I had my pacemaker, as I was getting short of breath on exercise). This is not uncommon in my experience. It can make me a little tremulous.

The main thing is to get the inhaler technique right- so many people just put the inhaler in the mouth and give as many squirts as they see fit- this is an overdose. A couple of puffs of Ventolin is usually quite without problems. Fast heart rates are more common with overdose.

Practice your inhaler technique, and get your doctor's practice nurse to check that you are doing it correctly. Relief of wheezing is within a minute or two.

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