I keep getting the wrong inhaler?

[Olivya_eddy]

I usually have the salamol CFC-free inhaler but every time I go to collect them I get the ventolin inhaler which doesn't help. Should I go back to my GP and ask about it?

[Chip_y2kuk]

From memory and I might be wrong.... Salamol cfc and ventolin are both salbutamol inhalers although I think the ventolin ones are better (they probably also cost the NHS more)

[shirl13]

They are the same thing. Goint back to 1967 when I was first diagnosed Ventolin was the only one, after time generics are allowed and salamol is one of them. There should be no difference in how they help

[Rachel-M in reply to shirl13]

Some people (myself included) are sensitive to the formulations of inhalers. You are correct salamol and ventolin are the same drug, however, the delivery system CFCs or non CFCs driven can really aggravate some peoples asthma. I get no relief from non CFCs salamol therefore have to have ventolin. I know of many others who have the same situation.

[Gareth57]

Hi, I also get the cfc free salbutamol and get the Ventolin Accuhaler which is a blue disc shaped device. If this is what they give you it is the correct stuff.

Hope that helps, Gareth

[Superzob]

This might be a problem with the GP prescribing the generic salbutamol rather than the brand name. From memory, GPs are able to specify the particular brand and you may be successful in arguing for it.

[Tugun]

Hi,

I live in Australia and only know of the Ventolin but if you find the Salamol more helpful ask for it. Even if the medicine is the same (salbutamol), the CFC propellant may be different. I am actually allergic to the CFC propellant in the Ventolin medihaler (It gives me asthma) so I only use the Ventolin rotacaps. You put the capsules full of powdered Ventolin in a rotahaler and breathe in deeply and you breathe in the fine powder. There are probably fillers in this but I am not allergic to them. These work well for me.

Speaking of different brands - I once was given generic salbutamol nebules for the nebuliser. I was grateful that I didn't need it straight away and it also opened my eyes to the little extra things that get designed that I don't usually notice. Firstly the alfoil packet was so tight that I needed scissors to open it (Not good in an emergency). Secondly when I did open it, a cheap plastic smell assaulted my nostrils and my lungs. The liquid salbutamol was inside this highly toxic smelling plastic. There was no way I was going to breathe that into my lungs, so I took it back to the chemist. I didn't get my money back for the opened packet but I did for the rest. I actually met another asthmatic in the chemist shop who had had the same problem.