Ventmax SR 4 mg & 8 mg Capsules
salbutamol
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
- 1. What Ventmax is and what it is used for
- 2. Before you take Ventmax
- 3. How to take Ventmax
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Ventmax
- 6. Further information
What Ventmax is and what it is used for
Ventmax SR Capsules are used to help relieve the symptoms of asthma and other conditions that cause breathing problems. The active ingredient, salbutamol, is one of a group of medicines called bronchodilators or ‘relievers’. Salbutamol relaxes the muscles in the walls of the small air passages in the lungs. This helps to open up the airways and so helps to relieve chest tightness, wheezing and cough so that you can breathe more easily.
The capsules are manufactured in a way that allows the salbutamol to be released and slowly absorbed by your body so that you get relief over a period of several hours.
Taking Ventmax at the same time as other prescribed anti-inflammatory medicines, such as steroids, will help you to breathe more easily.
Before you take Ventmax
Do not take Ventmax:
- if you are allergic to salbutamol or any of the other ingredients contained in Ventmax.
Take special care with Ventmax and always tell your doctor if:
- you suffer from an over active thyroid gland
- you suffer from high blood pressure
- you suffer from any disease of the heart
- you suffer from an irregular heart beat
- you are diabetic
- you suffer from low levels of potassium in your blood
- your asthma seems to be getting worse. Perhaps you are more wheezy and short of breath than usual, your capsules or ‘reliever’ inhaler seems to be less effective, you require more capsules or more puffs from your ‘reliever’ inhaler than usual, or you do not seem to be getting better. Your doctor may reassess your asthma and may change your treatment or give you an extra medicine.
If you experience breathing difficulties while taking Ventmax, you may need to use a quick-acting ‘reliever’ inhaler to help relieve your symptoms.
If you are an athlete it is important that you know that the salbutamol in these capsules may produce a positive dope test reaction.
Taking other medicines
Before starting treatment, please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. Remember to take these medicines and your inhalers with you if you have to go into hospital.
In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking:
- beta-blockers (such as propanolol) or water tablets (diuretics), used to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition
- theophylline, aminophylline or steroids, used to treat asthma.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or could become pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking your capsules.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Ventmax
Ventmax contains sucrose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
How to take Ventmax
Always take your capsules exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The label on the carton will tell you how many capsules you should take and when. It is very important that you take your capsules regularly. Do not stop treatment even if you feel better unless told to do so by your doctor.
While you are taking Ventmax your doctor will want to check your asthma regularly by carrying out simple breathing tests and may need to carry out blood tests from time to time (see also: Section 4 - Possible side effects).
Dosage
Ventmax is formulated so that you only have to take your capsules twice a day. It is important that you take your capsules 12 hours apart, preferably one in the morning when you get up and one in the evening. Your capsules must be swallowed whole with a glass of water while you are sitting or standing. Do not break or chew your capsules.
For Adults, the elderly and children over the age of 12 years
The usual dose is one 8 mg capsule twice a day.
For Children aged 3 to 12 years
The usual dose is one 4 mg capsule twice a day.
If you take more Ventmax than you should
If you take more Ventmax than you should, contact your nearest casualty department or tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately. If you take too much
Ventmax it will cause your heart to beat faster than normal, affect your blood pressure and make you feel shaky, nervous and mentally calm or peaceful.
If you forget to take Ventmax
If you forget to take Ventmax, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until this dose is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Ventmax can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Very rare allergic reactions, including nettle rash or hives, wheezing, fall in blood pressure, collapse or painless swelling of the skin on the face, neck, hands, feet and lips have been reported. If you experience any of these, contact your doctor or casualty department immediately.
Abnormally low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalaemia) can be caused by the regular taking of salbutamol, such as Ventmax. The low levels of potassium, which can cause you to feel weak and thirsty, can worsen during an acute asthma attack. Therefore, while you are taking Ventmax your doctor may need to carry out blood tests from time to time.
The following side effects have been reported. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you suffer from any of these side effects but do not stop treatment unless told to do so:
- rapid heart beats with or without flushing, may occur at high doses
- irregular heart beats or an extra beat of the heart
- feeling shaky
- nausea
- vomiting
- headaches
- very rare reports of muscle cramps
- rare reports of hyperactivity in children
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store Ventmax
- Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
- Do not use Ventmax after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not store above 30ºC.
- Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These
measures will help protect the environment.
Further information
What Ventmax contains:
The active substance in your capsules is salbutamol. Each capsule contains 4 mg or 8 mg of salbutamol.
The other ingredients are sucrose, maize starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, methacrylic copolymer, ethylcellulose, dibutyl sebacate, talc, gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), black iron oxide (E172), yellow iron oxide (E172), erythrosine (E127), patent blue V (E131), shellac, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, water, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide.
What Ventmax looks like and the contents of the pack:
Ventmax SR 4 mg capsules are opaque grey and pale green, marked ‘4 mg’.
Ventmax SR 8 mg capsules are opaque white, marked ‘8 mg’. They are packed in blister packs of 28, 30, 56 and 60 capsules. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer:
The Marketing Authorisation Holder and manufacturer of Ventmax is
Is this leaflet hard to see or read? Phone 0161 488 5555 for help.
This leaflet was last approved in 02/2010
00265 V4 / CP0009/2
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