Summarised from: http://www.glaxowellcome.co.uk/fighting/medicines/mn_ventolin.html
Ventolin (also known as salbutamol) is used to dilate the bronchial passages in the lungs, thus relieving a common symptom of Asthma.
Developed at Allen and Hanburys in 1968 and released in the UK in 1969 and the US in 1982 by Glaxo Wellcome, Ventolin is available in a variety of formulations:
- Inhaler - The most common treatment for Asthmatic adults, this pressurised container delivers either 100, 200 or 400 micrograms of Salbutamol per puff.
- Rotacaps - More common with children as the medicine is released when the child breathes in. This means that the child does not need to coordinate his or her breathing with the activation of an Inhaler.
- Diskhaler
- Tablets
- Syrup
- Injection
- Infusion
- Nebules
Ventolin is a selective short acting beta2 agonist that acts on the beta2 adrenoceptors in your lungs. It is most often used (at least by me :) for an "instant fix" relief of wheezing or trouble breathing.