5mg ventolin nebules

[Blue58]

Sadly GSK have ceased to manufacture the 5mg ventolin nebules. Are there any other severe brittle and unstable asthmatics out there that feel their asthma is no longer under control. I am also on fostair 200 but certainly since I was switched over to a generic salbutamol 5mg nebule which I have to nebulise 4 times a day I feel I am constantly struggling to keep on top of some very nasty asthma attacks. Dr's say it is the same drug but my body tells me a very different story.

[knitter]

I use Combivent nebules not Ventolin . I only use mine when my asthma is out of control not regularly .

I hope I can still get those , I will check . Thank you for the warning .

I was given generic blue inhaler instead of Ventolin , I am sure it doesn’t work as well .

I was given Fostair ….made my symptoms worse . It’s down out my notes .

I have Qvar , but stuck on long term oral prednisolone, gp trying to wean me off but not working .

[knitter]

just tried to find answers about Combivent on Google …not much luck .

[CDPO16]

I only use ventolin inhaler not nebules, but can confirm that salbutamol in the form of salamol doesn't help me at all. My GP who is asthmatic says the same. I wish I could help and I hope you find some solution. Best wishes.

[Blue58 in reply to CDPO16]

Thanks CDPO16. Interesting that you have a GP that says the same. All I ever get from the medical profession is that it is the same drug. I guess GSK have stopped making the 5mg nebules as the NHS have been buying cheaper versions. OK if it works but I have read of so many asthmatics now who say that the generic versions are not as good as ventolin and personally I am finding that I am having to use alot more over and above what I used to use just to stay on top of my uncontrollable asthma which in turn has a negative impact on other health issues.

[CDPO16 in reply to Blue58]

I'd try and discuss this with your GP or nurse if you can. It does seem to be a false economy. However if GSK have stopped making the 5mg nebules I don't know what the answer is.

[knitter]

I read that there is a shortage of Ventolin nebules ….don’t know if temporary.

I tried to check a list of discontinued drugs too.

[Alberta56]

I hope you find a solution to this. It really is bad that people are being denied the medicines which actually help them.

[Blue58 in reply to Alberta56]

Hi Alberta56. Hopefully I am only one of a few whose asthma is very brittle and difficult to control. I was put on 5mg Ventolin nebules some years ago by a specialist asthma unit and thankfully after that it was largely under control and remained so until GSK stopped the manufacture of the 5mg version. Ever since then I have had to use a generic salbutamol 5mg nebule which for me are just not as effective. I've never come across anyone else who uses 5mg nebules so I guess if the manufacturers are not selling many of the 5mg nebules and the NHS are using cheaper versions it was inevitable that one day they would be obsolete. Unfortunately not all progress is for the good of the patient.

[Anselm198 in reply to Blue58]

HiI use 5mg nebules and I know many people who do regularly. They are obviously used a lot in hospital and demand went up enormously during Covid. I also use Atrovent and Pulmicort in the nebulizer. If you don't use Atrovent I would ask about adding it in.

Hope that helps.

[Blue58 in reply to Anselm198]

Thank you Anselm198. I do use atrovent aswell. My prescription is 2.5mg atrovent and 5mg salbutamol 4 times a day but the 5mg nebules I now receive are just no where near as effective as the ventolin ones and it looks like I am not the only one who struggles with the cheaper generic versions

[Anselm198 in reply to Blue58]

I have 5 of Atrovent. Maybe that might help as it is longer lasting.

[Blue58 in reply to Anselm198]

Thanks Anselm198. I will speak to my GP about that.

[Patk1]

The nebs I'm currently using are made by Accord.ive no problem with them

[Blue58 in reply to Patk1]

Thank you Patk1. I too am using the accord ones but I am definitely having to use more to control my brittle asthma which for me personally means they are not as effective. I'm pleased they work for you.

[Patk1 in reply to Blue58]

Could it b the change in weather,too.not best time of year for lung disease x

[Blue58 in reply to Patk1]

Sadly my asthma hasn't been under control and properly managed since I have no longer been able to have the 5mg ventolin nebules and as many of us with long term conditions will know, the NHS services that we once relied upon are all too often not available to us anymore. You just have to keep battling on and hope for the best I'm afraid.

[Patk1 in reply to Blue58]

Yes things have changed + we have to be very proactive to access appropriate service.id b contacting both Yr gp+ consultant + chat to pharmacist.If stocks depleted now, is 2x 2.5mg ventolin available& appropriate 4u x

[Blue58 in reply to Patk1]

Plan to speak to GP next week about the possibility of using 2 x 2,5mg, assuming I can get ventolin. Sadly, not sure if it's the same in all hospitals now but consultants work on a rota basis so very rare you will see the consultant you are registered with and I find you get an awful lot of conflicting information, care and treatment by seeing so many different Doctors and Consultants. Certainly not like it used to be.

[Patk1 in reply to Blue58]

Gd luck with gp appointment.he may have suggestions xx

[Cloudancer]

Have had increasing problems getting ventolin nebulising capsules - am simply told it's out of stock.....

[Blue58 in reply to Cloudancer]

Hi Cloudancer. I had the same problem so after doing some research I discovered that GSK had stopped manufacturing the 5mg Ventolin nebules. I'm not sure if they still manufacture the 2.5mg version but my prescription was altered to 5mg some years ago whilst under the care of a specialist acute asthma hospital.

[free15years]

I agree totally and three other people among family and friends are in agreement regarding the generic salbutamol. It definitely dies not have the same effect. We can’t be all wrong. Is it a case of money before patients. Hope not.

[Blue58 in reply to free15years]

Hi free15years. Sadly I tend to agree with you. I think money comes before patients in all aspects of health care today which is not helpful when you have a long term health condition to deal with.

[Donniebrasco]

Same here , absolutely mirrored your tale, have you also heard we are to be limited to 3 inhalers a year?

[Blue58 in reply to Donniebrasco]

Hi Donniebrasco. I hope not. My asthma is so brittle and difficult to control that I currently have 4 inhalers a month aswell as 4 times daily nebulisers. I can still get the ventolin inhalers just not the nebules.

[Mellywelly]

It's supposed to be the same drug but myself and everyone I have spoken to has said the same, it's rubbish compared to ventolin. I used to be able to clear my chest with ventolin before going for a walk as it worked every time. Salamol I have to take with me as there's no point doing it beforehand. 😔

[Blue58 in reply to Mellywelly]

Hi Mellywelly. I have lost count the amount of medical professionals who have stated it is the same drug and shouldn't make any difference. That might be the case but knowing how much my asthma condition has deteriorated I can definitely say that the other versions do not work as well as ventolin

[Biker88]

Ventolin is a brand name for Salbutamol, Salbutamol is the generic name the only difference may be in the propellant used in the mix.

[annaemmalucy]

I was told my inhaler and thyroxin was to be changed to a generic brand but I was very unwell. I did my own research on the inhaler and found that the replacement one should not be used with a spacer. When I rang and explained,they obviously did their own homework and I got an apology and they said they did not know that fact. You cannot make it up. The thyroxin was a different thing but I now also have that now on my prescription named. I can do my research but there are people who just become seriously unwell.

[Jambar52]

I use accord 2.5 ml 4 times a day haven had the GSK ones for ages and I live in Stevenage where they are made

[Blue58 in reply to Jambar52]

Hi Jambar52. My prescription is 5mg 4 times a day and I am using the accord ones too but finding that I am actually using twice as much as I did with the ventolin ones just to keep my asthma under some sort of control so not cost effective in my case along with the dangers of the side effects. I would buy the 5mg ventolin privately if I could but sadly they have been discontinued.

[Jack70]

My ventolin inhaler got changed to Salmol, so I changed my pharmacy and told them I only want the ventolin brand they said that was fine and now it’s written on my repeat prescription form “VENTOLIN ONLY”Ventolin seems to pack a bigger punch.

[Blue58 in reply to Jack70]

Hi Jack70. I totally agree with you. I only ever get the ventolin inhaler but sadly it is the nebules that have been discontined

[Fredelsa]

I couldn't agree more, ventolin worked so well, generic inhalers absolutely do not.

[Blue58 in reply to Fredelsa]

Hi Fredelsa. I find it very annoying that there is a drug that helped so many of us that we can no longer have access to and can only assume it is down to cost. My argument is that it is not cost effective as I certainly have to use more of other versions just to keep on top of my very brittle asthma.

[Cedricc]

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles with asthma management. While I'm not a medical professional, I can share some personal insights that might resonate with you. I personally find that the Generic Ventolin inhaler works well for me—it’s been reliable in managing acute symptoms. However, asthma is highly individual, and what works for one person may not work for another. If needed, I order the Ventolin inhaler only from this trusted pharmacy - health-delivery24.com/buy-v.... I always receive good quality, and there’s never a long wait for the order.

In your case, it’s clear that the switch to the generic salbutamol nebules has coincided with worsening control of your asthma. While doctors often emphasize that generic versions are chemically the same, some patients do report differences in efficacy, possibly due to variations in the inactive ingredients or delivery system.

Here are a few suggestions that might help:

Talk to your doctor about alternatives: Discuss trying another brand of nebulized salbutamol or even revisiting branded Ventolin if it's available in smaller doses. There might be options to order specific products through a pharmacy or supplier.

Review your asthma action plan: Ensure your management plan is up to date, especially with your current medication challenges. Your doctor might need to adjust doses or add a long-acting bronchodilator to complement your existing treatment.

Track triggers and patterns: Keeping a journal of your asthma attacks, medication use, and potential triggers might help you and your doctor identify if there’s an external factor worsening your symptoms.

Consider adjunct therapies: Depending on your condition, other treatments like biologics (e.g., omalizumab or mepolizumab) might be worth discussing if you’re a candidate.

I hope you find a solution soon, and don't hesitate to seek a second opinion if you feel your concerns aren't being fully addressed. Asthma is a tough battle, but the right care can make a significant difference. 👍

[Blue58 in reply to Cedricc]

I was under a specialist hospital for a number of years for difficult to control brittle asthma. I was always told to insist on Ventolin as a brand particularly in respect of nebulised 5mg ampules but I'm guessing that NICE will no longer fund this as I have contacted GSK directly who have informed me that they no longer supply the 5mg ventolin nebules for the British Market.

You are correct in respect of triggers as I also suffer from bronchiectasis and suffer from numerous chest infections. I am always able to tell when I have an infection brewing as my asthma becomes much more difficult to control and scarily so at times. This is when I find it extremely worrying as the generic versions do not control my asthma in the same way. I did speak to a pharmacist once who explained the difference to me between the ventolin brand and the generic versions and they weren't surprised that I was finding it more and more difficult to control my asthma in those situations.

I have had conversations with a number of other asthmatics since the ventolin 5mg nebules have been discontinued so I know I'm not the only one to struggle with this but there doesn't seem to be alot we can do about it sadly. I am still supplied with the ventolin inhaler thank goodness along with fostair.

I will look into the other treatments you have suggested. Thank you.