I've been using Ventolin since childhood. First time, some 15 years ago, I was prescribed Salamol by GP, I didn't realise until I got it from the Chemist. I thought maybe it's a change that made by doctor on my condition as "Salamol" was written on prescription itself not "Salbutamol" as has been previously. So I started using it. The first thing it gave was very uncomfortable funny taste that I couldn't bare. Second thing is that it started causing bad sore throat, my voice was becoming sore and husky. This never happened ever with Ventolin. Then I realised it causing me more problems than cure. So I went back to doctors and then they changed to prescribing "Salbutamol", the Chemist was always giving me Ventolin when they see "Salbutamol" written on prescription. Years passed, and now I see the Chemist try to give Salamol instead of Ventolin, have to ask, or insist. They try to argue it's the same, but I say the affect is different on me. Whether it works to clear the airways like it should is another thing, but the what it does to me instantly is my problem. It causes me sores in the throat, voice changes to become husky, etc., and of something is causing that then I shouldn't be given that.
I realise Salamol is just a cheaper version, that's why they're trying to phase it out. If there were a problem in Ventolin, the company would have thought about producing a better version of it, but they're still making it and it is in the market. They already made a change, it's CFC free.
Lot of good and better medicines that were available on NHS has been removed now from prescribing. I do not believe the reasons they give to justify it.
Years ago, in my childhood, I always used to have a condition of Hayfever, blocked and runny nose, always sneezing, watery eyes. The doctor finally prescribed a nasal pump, produce of Beconase. Taking it just once, I felt better, never had to use it again for the next 2 years, rest of the medicine was just had to be left. Never had to take separate eye drops or tablets.
I've seen better medicines that no longer available. Don't understand it, people's lives are just dictated by politics and politicians to make it difficult I feel.
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Farid21
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It is NOT the same!The propellant/ fillers are different. There are so many posts about this so if you write Salamol in the search bar they should all come up.
NHS have targeted metered dose inhalers as responsible for around 3% of the NHS carbon footprint and want patients to reduce this by using alternative inhalers with either low or zero carbon footprint. Propellants that are considered low in carbon emissions aren't universally popular with users, as some either react to the different propellant or delivery is reduced. But as all ingredients aren't listed, patients don't know if there are other components that could be problematic. The argument that the medication is exactly the same ignores the fact that patient is inhaling all the other ingredients. The fact that some low carbon inhalers are cheaper just adds to the suspicion that cost is the main driver.
Obviously every inhaler that comes to the market is deemed safe, but there will be exceptions and side effects should be taken seriously, as with any medication. GSK, who make Ventolin, are trialling a new Ventolin inhaler with a low carbon footprint propellant. It's not going to hit the market any time soon, but anyone who does better with Ventolin, or any other branded inhaler, should have access to it in the meantime.
I have used dry powder Ventolin for over 40 years and am lucky that I don't have the battle to secure my tried and tested rescue meds. I was changed to DPIs as the original propellants that were being used all those years ago were actually making my asthma unstable and attacks were being exacerbated by my rescue inhaler, to the point of being repeatedly hospitalised. Oddly, it was a known issue, but our head of respiratory didn't think screening patients was necessary. If you don't have confidence in your rescue inhaler, follow your gut feeling and stick to your guns.
It's obvious there will be some things different. Just because it has the same amount of Salbutamol in it doesn't mean it's got same other ingredients and made in the same process. I can see in the leaflet that Salamol has around 3% alcohol ethanol. I don't see that in ventolin.
I have been using Salamol for years. It gives me instant relief. I don't use it often, probably once a week, as my preventer inhaler works well - it's DuoResp Spiromax 320/9. I have no side effects from the Salamol. I use it with A short spacer, called an aero chamber.
I have also been prescribed Ventolin for 30 years and it works very well for me. GP changed me to generic salbutamol when they were first available years ago. Very quickly like you I was getting a sore throat, strange taste and nowhere near the Asthma relief I got from Ventolin. I relayed this to the GP and ever since they put on my prescription Salbutamol prescribed as Ventolin. So if I were you I would contact your GP and explain that you also experience these problems. They cannot refuse as we know it’s imperative that Asthma symptoms are well controlled. Also I recently called the Asthma & Lung charity as I was having a real issue getting 2 Ventolin inhalers prescribed, 1 for home and one for my handbag. They were so helpful and spoke to an Asthma Nurse who was very informed and gave me information to help me obtain 2 inhalers. Good Luck 🤞
Good for you. I cannot get two inhalers on my prescription and have been told even that it will be ‘flagged’ if I try to order more than 3 in a year. It gives me anxiety!
Why does it give you anxiety? 3 inhalers contain a total of 600 doses, the equivalent of nearly two doses a day. If you use Ventolin or Salamol on more than two occasions a week, about four doses a week, it is a sign that your asthma is uncontrolled, and you should seek medical advice.
I have a brilliant dry powder inhaler which prevents exacerbations of asthma.
Prior to the pandemic I averaged three exacerbations a year. The last year I've only had one, which required antibiotics and prednisolone. I've been asthmatic for 50 years, and also have permanent, though asymptomatic, Atrial Fibrillation, now aged 79.
I have been on dry powder inhalers since my thirties. I have been an asthma sufferer most of life, since a baby, and it subsided when I moved to Canada as a child and didn’t return until my early thirties (I’m now in my fifties). They worked fine for me but had stopped working. The puffers work much better for me at this point. Everyone is different. Regarding the anxiety you question, I may lose one, one might fail, may forget to take one out with me - I should have a back up. As it takes about a month to actually get an appointment with a nurse or GP, if it is flagged and a repeat prescription is refused, which they have done in the past, that gives me anxiety.
In your shoes, I’d put it in writing to the surgery. They can’t ignore something when you put in writing. Just explain as you have here. If you get breathless it’s obvious you can’t be ferreting about trying to find your inhaler! Stupid people
Where I live, in the west of West Yorkshire I can get an appointment at my local medical centre within 24 hours. Inhalers for asthmatics are vital. Although I rarely have need of Salamol I keep it, and a short spacer by my bed. If I go outside it goes in a zip-up pocket of my jacket. I don't understand how anyone can lose vital medication .My DuoResp Spiromax 320/9 DPI only has 60 metered doses. I have 2 every 28 days, so occasionally build up spares, with most months being 30 or 31 days, so in a year there are a total of 29 days above the 28 day interval for prescriptions.
As I have permanent Atrial Fibrillation I must never run out of anticoagulants, so they are also by my bed, along with all my medication.
I was 9 yrs on regime of steroid and ventolin. Back then the protocol was two puffs of ventolin (minute or so apart) prior to the steroid. Managing that and busy morning getting children organised and out the door meant that I kept three sets of inhalers, one upstairs, one downstairs and third in the car. Ventolin is not so expensive nowadays... perhaps you could buy privately or when abroad?
There is a reason that they changed that regime, as people relied too much on ventolin. There is now scientific proof that relying on too much ventolin, rather than being reviewed and meds tweaked is responsible for a huge number of fatal asthma attacks each year - mostly preventable.
It is interesting how the science changes the approach as the decades go by.
Yes I agree... I had a school friend married to a medic who died of asthma in her 50's. I would have been taking 4 puffs a day of ventolin and was supposed to use 'as needed' as well. But even back then if you needed ventolin for 4 out of 7 days, it was an indication of a mismanaged asthma and need for review.
That is so sad Cobham. A friend of my sisters died in his 30s - a single dad to 3 young children. So tragic and unexpected.
I have only just come across the AIR regime for mild or intermittent asthma and it's so interesting to hear the scientific reasoning behind it.
I didn't realise, this group of people are susceptible to a fatal attack because they are easily controlled with just ventolin, but are not aware of the risk still, of a severe asthma attack, if their symptoms increase, they do not know the importance to seek advice as soon as possible. (I think I have explained this correctly.)
I think it makes total sense. I know that I was on 'ventolin only' for 2 years after initial diagnosis and my asthma worsened suddenly when abroad working at a summer camp. I used copious amounts of ventolin and the camp nurse questioned heart troubles. I returned home and waited 3 months before seeking help, when my symptoms didn't improve. (In the 1980s).
Two years ago, my GP told me that I was fine to use Ventolin multiple times a day and that that was what it was intended for...He added that it was better to do that than to up my steroid inhaler (the dose I was on was the level a child is started on) because 'steroids are dangerous'. Fortunately, the asthma nurse is way more switched on and up-to-date, so I had an asthma review with her and she upped my steroid immediately. But if even some GPs still think Ventolin is the cure-all, it's no surprise that many patients do!
I always get two ventolin accuhalers and one evohaler when I put in a request. Nothing to do with my asthma being poorly controlled and everything to do with what is safe and sensible practice, One of the accuhalers stays by my bedside, the other stays in my bag and goes with me wherever I go in order to reduce the risk of being caught without one. The evohaler version is for if I do have a really bad flare when using an accuhaler is just too difficult (as a result of a viral infection, for example): it requires quite a sharp intake of breath which is nigh on impossible in the case of a severe attack. The disadvantage of the evohaler is that they have no counting devices in them so it is very difficult to keep track of how much is left - particularly with a medication which is used on an as and when required basis only.
I will add that this has been queried at the medical practice I attend - twonor three times now, and every time I have explained why I need them and argued my case. And every time they have backed down and admitted that my reasoning is sound. Given that my asthma is known to be very well controlled and that I have a reputation for being absolutely on top of my medication requirements I think it’s obvious to everyone there that I’m getting things right - at least as far as my asthma is concerned.
I totally agree. One of the main reasons, apart from costs, is that Salamol has less propellent in it and is part of the NHS’s Net Zero goals. I think it an utter disgrace that they risk the health and lives of asthma sufferers to this end. They are also trying to get everyone on to powder inhalers instead of the puffers for this reason. I had to insist that the powder inhaler was not working for me and I did manage to persuade my asthma nurse as she could see that my asthma was not under control, but still I am stuck with Salamol
The salamol does not give me as much relief as ventolin. I also have trouble getting GP to prescribe ventolin but I was very insistent and now have ventolin again thank goodness.
I just wish GP’s could prescribe 2 X inhalers so we always have a spare but mine only prescribe one.
I’m lucky, my surgery is happy to prescribe 2 x Ventolin a month, if I need them. Usually I don’t. I use it a lot, 5-6 times a day, sometimes 10 times, but it’s never been queried. I was happy to try Salamol, but didn’t find it worked as quickly, so they swapped me back.
Oh I’m under the severe asthma clinic at the Brompton, and maxed out on meds inc biologics. But because I have other lung conditions it’s impossible to control.
Without explanation they changed my Ventolin to Salamol, it really didn't work as well, so managed to get my Ventolin back. Since being on Flixotide preventer I so rarely use it now, maybe you could get a better preventer so you don't need it anyway? Hope when I need Ventolin again that is exactly what I get. If I want something specific and say 'I don't want to end up in hospital' I always get my way! 😁
When I was diagnosed with asthma I was prescribed ventolin as my reliever. It did work well for me. A good few years ago I was changed to salamol by my GP. I had noticed too that they used salamol in A & E. Salamol did work well for me when I needed it.
Last year I was changed onto the mart regime (fostair nexhaler 100/6) so no longer needed salamol.
Salamol is a poor product and unreliable. I've had many of them go stale which leaves a terrible taste and obviously no longer works, so have to be replaced half full - that is a false economy on many levels. I insist on Ventolin when requesting prescriptions.
Salamol is totally useless and all this rubbish about CFC is lies. Salamol is cheaper so thats why it's not being subscribed by doctors. Ventolin is CFC free and clearly states this on the cannister.
It may not work for you but it doesn't mean it is completely useless for everyone. I have severe asthma and I am ok with Salamol, though I completely understand that other people may not be and they shouldn't have to fight every time to get an inhaler that works for them.
I do think that they need to be much clearer about what the issue is with the propellant and what is in the different propellants. I would also like to see better understanding in all surgeries that Salamol isn't suitable for everyone, and to ensure people who don't react well to Salamol or other alternative propellants can still access Ventolin.
But it's quite sweeping and not accurate for everyone to say Salamol is useless and all about cost.
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