Compound in ventolin inhalers could make asthma worse

A chemical used in the leading brand of asthma inhaler could actually make the allergy worse, say scientists. They fear a compound in Ventolin inhalers may react with steroids used to prevent attacks.

Millions of asthma sufferers use the inhalers also known as salbutamol or salbuterol to provide relief from wheeziness, as well as inhaled steroids to prevent the condition occuring. But the chemical byproduct in Ventolin inhalers may weaken the steroids' anti-inflammatory effect.

The findings were revealed to a meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in San Francisco yesterday.

Dr Mark Aronica, of the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, said: 'The concern is that this chemical could build up in patients who take the drug frequently. 'We need clinical studies to find out whether this is the case.'

Comments

  1. Daniel Daniel Sweden says:

    I have been using Ventolin for at least 30 years and after reading this I am a little concerned. I am now 34 years old so I would like to know if there any risks that my asthma could get worse? What other medication is there I could use instead of Ventolin? and what could I do to reduce this risk, also is there anything I should look for with regards to effects so on.

  2. dionna dionna United States says:

    Had a near fatal asthma attack after starting up advair after I had been taking ventolin woke up one night couldn't breath took ventolin and it made it a whole lot worse. I ended up having to go to the hospital.

  3. Vera Vera Australia says:

    I'm a 62 yr old woman.  I got a very bad cold and couldn't stop coughing.  I took an expectorant to make it easier to expel the phlegm.  After that I was coughing even worse and started wheezing.  I went to the doctor and he gave me Ventolin.  It didn't help.  The wheezing got worse again.

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
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