Common Questions & Answers

• What is VENTOLIN HFA with a dose counter?
• What is the dosage of VENTOLIN HFA?
• What is unique about VENTOLIN HFA with a dose counter?
• How does the dose counter work?
• What advantages does the dose counter offer?
• Who manufactures VENTOLIN HFA?
• Is VENTOLIN HFA with a dose counter available?

What is VENTOLIN HFA with a dose counter?
GlaxoSmithKline developed VENTOLIN HFA, an inhaled albuterol without chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This means it can relieve your asthma symptoms without harming the earth's ozone layer. VENTOLIN HFA acts within minutes to help relieve bronchospasm and symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, or shortness of breath for 4 to 6 hours.

VENTOLIN HFA is the first and only albuterol metered-dose inhaler with a built-in dose counter.

Patients and physicians agree — a dose counter is a great help for keeping an accurate count of how many doses are still in the inhaler. Patients’ use of albuterol is one measure of asthma control according to guidelines published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
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What is the dosage of VENTOLIN HFA?
For treatment or prevention of sudden asthma symptoms, the usual dosage for adults and children 4 years of age and older is 2 puffs repeated every 4 to 6 hours; in some patients, 1 puff every 4 hours may be enough. It is not recommended to use VENTOLIN HFA more frequently or to take a larger number of puffs.

For exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB), the usual dosage for adults and children 4 years and older is 2 puffs 15 to 30 minutes before exercise.
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What is unique about VENTOLIN HFA with a dose counter?
VENTOLIN HFA is the first and only albuterol metered-dose inhaler to have a built-in dose counter. The dose counter gives an accurate count of how many doses are remaining in the canister. Accurately tracking albuterol use — and regularly taking the Asthma Control Test^™ and talking to your doctor about this information — can help assess the need to add or change long-term controller therapy.
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How does the dose counter work?
The tamper-proof dose counter counts backwards every time the inhaler is used, showing the number of remaining doses in the canister.
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What advantages does the dose counter offer?
As the first and only albuterol metered-dose inhaler with a dose counter, VENTOLIN HFA provides an accurate count of the doses remaining in the canister. Albuterol use is an important measure of asthma control according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). According to the NIH treatment guidelines, overreliance on rescue inhalers indicates that asthma is not controlled, and there is a need to start or change long-term controller therapy. Patients should keep track of their albuterol use and discuss this with their healthcare professional.
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Who manufactures VENTOLIN HFA?
VENTOLIN HFA is manufactured and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
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Is VENTOLIN HFA with a dose counter available?
The VENTOLIN HFA canister with a dose counter has been available on the market since 2006.

Patients should check with their pharmacies to see if VENTOLIN HFA is in stock. If it is not, the pharmacy should be able to obtain it within a few days. There are several albuterol products without a built-in dose counter available to patients. Patients should consult with their healthcare professionals to determine the proper therapy.
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