Ventolin vs Salamol: I have just been... - Asthma Community ...

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Ventolin vs Salamol

34 Replies

I have just been prescribed Salamol inhalers rather than my usual Ventolin. I'm still getting used to the switch and at the moment I miss my old Ventolins but some observations:

-The canister of the inhaler is smaller. At first I thought somebody was palming me off with half-sized medication.

-The aftertaste is sweeter.

-You have to push down a little harder to get a dose.

-I am not 100% sure they are as effective for me but again it may be I'm still getting used to the differences after 27 years of using ventolin.

Anyone else got any thoughts? Apologies if this has already been covered.

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34 Replies

Hi

I have often wondered this, I thought it was inhaler snobbery on my part!

I have found they do taste very different and don't seem as powerful when sprayed, I also feel they are not as effective but like you I am sure that's all in my head after years of using Ventolin.

I did ask my doctor to prescribe Ventolin and not Salamol and was surprised when he agreed. So now I rarely get a Salamol inhaler.

That's good to know, I will specify Ventolin from now on and see how I get on.

I think Salamol is a 'generic' drug and therefore cheaper to the NHS.

Ventolin and Salamol are brand names/trade names. The generic drug in both is salbutamol.

Generic simply means a drug which is marketed under its chemical name (i.e. salbutamol) rather than a brand such as ventolin, though it will have the manufacturers name on the label.

Thus the drug in both ventolin and salamol, is salbutamol.

Lynda :)

Not only is it the same drug in both (salbutamol) but it has the same quantity per puff too. Maybe the propellant is different though, hence the different taste and maybe not as powerfull a spray

Mierens profile image
Mierens in reply to

You can buy ventolin here without a previous prescription (the online consultation is easy) europetabs.com

Evening all!

Salbutamol is indeed the main component in Ventolin and Salamol. However they appear to be the same cost.

I also really noticed a difference when I was given Salamol after lung function tests. On checking, Ventolin contains salbutamol as the active substance and HFA 134a being the propellant. Salamol also has ethanol hence the taste difference.

Of course I knew both had salbutamol in, but that's interesting about the propellant.

So does anyone prefer Salamol?

Delahunt profile image
Delahunt in reply to

I prefer Salomol give better effect for me than ventilon ( they say there the same (salbutamol . I keep insisting for Salomal it’s prescribed I find feel I get relief straight away opens airways ( others relax muscle around airways ) I get told they are the same but my consular said if you struggle to breath in a lot salomol is easi breath it’s a must ( others are a powder )

Delahunt profile image
Delahunt in reply to Delahunt

Also I meant Salomon is a mist ( others are powder ) I don’t feel think powder one ventolin help me & I use a device so powder stick on to the device & does not go to my lungs ( where as Salomol I feel it get to my lungs mist

I started off with Salamol and the last one I got was Ventolin

I have found that the salamol tastes better

ventolin is harsher, the ventolin spray has a lot more force to it and seems to deliver a lot more spray it leaves my tubes feeling raw

salamol spray is gentler so I much prefer salamol,

I won`t get ventolin again

however

the salamol dispenser does need cleaning/flushing out often as it soon stops working

I prefer Ventolin to Salamol. The taste is better I think

hey well i use both smb for preventer and ventoin for attacts only when i get bad but always use a spacer with vent i think they are both good but for attacks i fine vent is so much better but that is just me !

I certainly think ventolin delivers a bigger dose per squirt but as my asthma is almost under control and not severe I find that dose too much

I have qvar as my preventer

both salamol and ventolin deliver 100 micrograms per metered dose (puff). Ventolin delivers it faster and with greater pressure so it may feel like 'more' but the drug dose is the same ;)

I don't know what it is but I certainly feel safer with an Allen & Hanbury's inhaler in my pocket. Their products just appear to be more robust and they look better made.

Like when you buy a car, one thing you do is open and close the doors to see what sound they make lol (how have I got onto talking about cars? I do apologise)

nursefurby

I have both the inhalers here and as I pointed out, the salamol inhaler soon gets clogged up,

it delivers less than it should each day of use and completely seizes up after about 10 days

so what it should deliver and what it does deliver are two different things

the salamol container needs to be flushed through regularly

Ventolin is so expensive! I buy it without a prescription at bestrxgenerics.com if anyone would like to know. Let me know how it goes.

yaf_user681_51802 profile image
yaf_user681_51802

I have respigen. ?

Ethanol inhalers really bother me, I get a sore throat almost immediately and it just won't go away no matter what I do, and I find it makes me cough and if my lungs are especially twitchy it makes me wheeze. I used to use fostair but it's also an ethanol inhaler and I didn't realise how much it was bothering me till I stopped it! I now use the same drugs but not in the fostair inhaler and am a lot happier. My prescription always used to specify ventolin. I think the pharmacy has to give generic unless the prescription specifies otherwise (if they can), and I know hospitals only have salamol!

Neilly71 profile image
Neilly71

Im totally the same. I have a repeat prescription and have been getting a Ventolin inhaler for as long as i can remember. I was at the doctors and she declared i should be on a Salamol inhaler, have been on this for the last two prescriptions and told the doctor yesterday i wanted it changed. Im aware the drug is the same as in Ventolin but I dont like the smaller Salamol inhalers. I find that as time goes on, even though you shake the container you can feel there is some in there it just doesnt feel like anything much is coming out. Maybe irts just psychosymatic but I prefer the Ventolin.

mattatuptonuk profile image
mattatuptonuk in reply to Neilly71

ventolin is more effective for me than salamol. Fact

mattatuptonuk profile image
mattatuptonuk

ventolin is more effective for me than solamol. i know this is not in my head as a normal dose of solamol does not relieve my symptons, where as ventolin does

Lulylu14 profile image
Lulylu14

Salamol is rubbish -since ive had it ive been using it non stop without effect even with regular preventors. However just struggled with asthma attack and a lady gave me her ventolin.-2puffs and I felt ok-normally 10 puffs and im not ok-there is a difference and id never have known till today-they are messingwith our health for cheap products. Im fully disgusted.

bess7771 profile image
bess7771 in reply to Lulylu14

yes salamol is rubbish. it is the clayton's ventolin. it doesnt wprk nearly as well. it is disgusting that we have gone backwards in giving it to people. the old ones like me who have known high standards of treatment, excellent successful treatment when presenting at hospital, for asthma, have to watch things as they are now.

the doctors dont know. they are taught by others who are into cost-cutting, and who are not themselves asthmatics. they havent a clue. they need a large thick belt ties rpund their chests, impeding the full expansion of their chests, then be told to go about their work, .....something like this, before they would EVER know what it is like to not get full air while trying tom live your life

Especially as Ventolin is so cheap I buy it for 2 or 3 € abroad..I told my GP before I left England thanks but no..Salamol is useless and as such it is dangerous.

chris100 profile image
chris100

I was given Salamol inhalers recently instead of my usual Ventolin. I am satisfied that both contain the same amount of Salbutimol Sulfate, (100 g), but am not happy about the change. The Salamol inhaler has no ridges on the bottom (where the thumb goes), and so slips out of the hand very easily when in use. I also find myself dropping it, (something I never do with the Ventolin inhalers), - as the Salamol is made from a hard smooth plastic that makes it difficult to grip. Am hoping I will be allowed to go back to Ventolin.

Nathp151 profile image
Nathp151

I have major copd. Salamol is a much more concentrated solution than ventolin (salbutamol). In a morning i can't breath for shit, I tried ventolin and still couldnt breathe so i was panicking. As soon as I got salamol it eased instantly. As for the person who said that salamol is the same as ventolin just a cheaper version hasnt got a clue.

Delahunt profile image
Delahunt in reply to Nathp151

I agree with you when you are bad breathing than you do know one inhaler from another ? Am on waiting list for double lung transplant & I prefer SALOMOL mist hand up

Hx_x_x profile image
Hx_x_x in reply to Nathp151

Reading through these comments I actually thought that part of my breathing was in mynmhesd as salamol after years of using vetnlinhas been brilliant for me.. I had a chest infection that has triggered my asthma very badly so much so I'm in a medication to reduce the mucas in my lungs..

But no I totally agree when my asthmas not too bad ventolin did it to a point it didnt and it felt like my airways were completely closing even after the ventolin. I was then prescribed salamol on too and have now found that is the only thing that's is working...ventolin could sometimes take a triple dose to just relieve a little bitter where as salamol acts faster and relieves better at the moment.

Mary489 profile image
Mary489

I have been using Ventolin inhalers for years. The last 2 inhalers that I have been given were Salamol. The Salamol is definitely not as effective as the Ventolin inhaler.

Pazza11 profile image
Pazza11 in reply to Mary489

I inow it was 3 years ago but have you managed to get Ventolin prescribed. The generic one doesnt work for me either

PeterRees profile image
PeterRees

have had my VentoIin replaced with Salamol and am finding it impossible to speak to anyone to have the Ventolin reinstated. The Salamol is definitely less effective than the Ventolin and I think it’s the reduction in the propellant which is the problem. Although they say it’s about saving the planet with CFC-free inhalers, this change is essentially down to cost.

It would seem this change is irreversible. It’s a contribution to cutting the cost of the NHS, irrespective of what patients might think and the effect on their condition/ lifestyle.

Alans724 profile image
Alans724

I have found, since using salamol that I don’t get the same relief as the power of the release is less. It also makes me cough thus more breathlessness.

Ern007 profile image
Ern007

Ventolin and not Salamol are the same along with Salbutamol they are all the same.

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