Ventolin

[Shaft1952]

Sorry I can't take ventolin it causes palpitations.

[Poobah]

Looking at your other posts, you were on Symbicort and you have RLS. Symbicort can affect potassium levels (see patient leaflet) and so it's good to ensure we're getting our 4,700mg of dietary potassium every day (1 banana approx 400mg, ). Low potassium can lead to muscle cramps, RLS and even fibrillation. Symbicort is not the only inhaler in affecting potassium levels but being aware of that means we can address any potential side affects by eating a potassium rich diet. Basically, potassium is necessary for muscle health and the heart is a muscle. And dietary potassium is the best and safest way to address any shortfall. I would never take a potassium supplement unless it was recommended and supervised by a doctor.

You could also ask your asthma nurse/doctor if there's a lower dose of Ventolin available and if you can use a spacer in order to slow down the inhalation of Ventolin. Ideally the preventer inhaler is managing your asthma sufficiently well that you rarely have to use Ventolin. But if you need it more frequently than a couple of doses a week then your prevention treatment may need adjustment - something to discuss with your asthma nurse/doctor.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Palpitations and tachycardia (fast heart rate) are fairly common side effects of Ventolin and other reliever medications for asthma, because of the way they work (this also applies to the reliever component in inhalers like Symbicort - it's the same class of drugs, beta agonists, but it lasts longer).

However, the risk of not taking reliever inhalers if you need them for asthma is generally much higher than any risks from palpitations. In addition, poorly controlled and/or acute asthma itself often causes tachycardia, though that's not always acknowledged as there's often more of a focus on tachycardia and palpitations from Ventolin or other treatments.

If you have a heart condition, then this may need discussion with your GP and/or cardiologist about balancing the risks and benefits of your asthma, asthma treatment and heart condition, which we can't advise on here. Otherwise, as I mentioned, it is something that needs to be balanced against the very significant risks of not treating your asthma symptoms when needed.

As Poobah has said, ideally the preventer inhaler should be minimising your need for reliever, and if you need it more than a 2-3 times a week then this is something to discuss with your GP. I also agree that a spacer may help reduce side effects like palpitations.

But please don't just not use Ventolin because it gives you palpitations. If you're concerned or unsure about your asthma treatment you can always give the Asthma UK nurses a call on 0300 2225800 (open M-F 9-5), or WhatsApp - 07378 606728.

[Shaft1952 in reply to Lysistrata]

I use symbicort & have done for many years, prescribed by a consultant chest physician, also my background in the medical profession. Also due to this I would never stop taking my inhaler. I have Peak flows of 550 -580. My resp rate is 18-20 per minuite. Plus I do regular aerobic exercise.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Shaft1952]

Sorry, I'm a bit confused. You didn't mention any of this in your original post but just said you can't take Ventolin because you get palpitations. If your background is in medicine then you presumably know that you might still need to take reliever sometimes, even if you're generally well controlled on Symbicort.

I was responding just to your original post and saying why not taking Ventolin at all due to palpitations could be dangerous if you need it for asthma symptoms. Presumably with your medical background, you're already aware that asthma can be dangerous and why reliever is needed sometimes, but I felt it was best to emphasise this in my previous reply since I didn't know your background (and other people might read this anyway who weren't aware).

If you're on a MART regimen with Symbicort then presumably you would take that instead if you need reliever, but the reliever in that, as I said, is likely to have the same effect as Ventolin in terms of palpitations because it's in the same drug class.

[Shaft1952]

Symbicort turbohaler is a combination of prventer & treatment. I also have montelucast at night as well. I didn't answer other than don't use ventolin due to palpitations, as I don't have experience. I have seen patients struggle with palpitations from ventolin, & suggested alternative to consultant. Hence my answer no personal experience for over 40yrs.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Shaft1952]

If I've understood you correctly, you're suggesting that people who have palpitations from Ventolin shouldn't use it? My first reply has responded to that point already about why it would be dangerous to avoid using Ventolin for this reason.

I would also add that if you are suggesting people shouldn't take Ventolin for this reason, even if it was intended to be helpful, this is against the forum guidelines: You should always consult a healthcare professional if considering changing your medication or treatment. Therefore please do not try to persuade users that medications or treatments are harmful based on personal and anecdotal evidence.

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

[twinkly29 in reply to Lysistrata]

Yes I agree Lysistrata. Ventolin will cause a raised heart rate (and so maybe palpitations) in most people, it's just part of what it does. All meds have side effects and some can't be avoided when one needs the medication to do the job it's intended to do.