Risks and Side Effects

What Is VENTOLIN HFA?

VENTOLIN HFA is a kind of medicine called a fast-acting bronchodilator. Fast-acting bronchodilators help to quickly open the airways in your lungs so that you can breathe more easily.

Each dose of VENTOLIN HFA should last up to 4 to 6 hours.

Take VENTOLIN HFA as directed by your doctor. Do not take extra doses or take more often without discussing this with your doctor.

Get medical help right away if VENTOLIN HFA no longer helps your symptoms. Also get medical help if your symptoms get worse or if you need to use your inhaler more often.

Possible Side Effects

If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use VENTOLIN HFA, call your doctor immediately as this reaction can be life threatening. This worsening of symptoms frequently occurs with the first use of a new canister.

Possible side effects of taking VENTOLIN HFA include fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shakiness, and nervousness. With the first use of a new canister, worsening of wheezing may occur.

Taking Other Medications With VENTOLIN HFA

While you are using VENTOLIN HFA, use other inhaled medicines and asthma medicines only as directed by your doctor.

Pregnancy

Patients who are pregnant or nursing should contact their physicians about the use of VENTOLIN HFA.

Frequency of Use

The action of VENTOLIN HFA should last up to 4 to 6 hours. VENTOLIN HFA should not be used more frequently than recommended. Do not increase the dose or frequency of doses of VENTOLIN HFA without consulting your physician.

If you find that treatment with VENTOLIN HFA becomes less effective for symptomatic relief, your symptoms become worse, and/or you need to use the product more frequently than usual, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Priming and Cleaning

Priming: It is important to prime the inhaler at certain times to make sure it will release the right amount of medicine. You should prime VENTOLIN HFA before using for the first time, when the inhaler has not been used for more than 2 weeks, or when the inhaler has been dropped. To prime VENTOLIN HFA, you should release 4 sprays into the air away from the face, shaking well before each spray.

Cleaning: The inhaler includes two parts: a plastic actuator used for spraying the medicine, and a metal canister that fits inside the actuator. It is very important to keep the plastic actuator clean so the medicine will not build up and block the spray. Wash the actuator at least once a week and dry it thoroughly. Do not try to clean the metal canister or let it get wet. Detailed cleaning instructions are included in the "Information for the Patient" leaflet found at the end of the complete Prescribing Information.

Dose Counter

VENTOLIN HFA has a dose counter that starts at 204 or 64 and counts down each time a spray is released. You should discard VENTOLIN HFA when the counter reads 000 or 12 months after removal from the moisture-protective foil pouch, whichever comes first.

When the counter reads 020, you should contact the pharmacist for a refill of medication or consult your physician to determine whether a prescription refill is needed.

You should never try to alter the numbers or remove the counter from the metal canister. You should never immerse the canister in water to determine the amount of drug remaining in the canister.