Salbutamol Inhalers Posted or Updated on 21 Jul 2023

As part of our practice commitment to provide excellent care and protect our planet, we are reviewing the prescriptions for some inhalers.

Which of my inhalers does this affect?

This affects your reliever (blue) inhaler, which you use only when you have symptoms. You may know it as your salbutamol inhaler, or by the brand-name Ventolin. Your pharmacy may dispense a salbutamol inhaler with a different brand name. It appears on your medication list as either of the following:

• Ventolin Evohaler 100microgram/ dose
• Salbutamol CFC-Free Inhaler 100microgram/ dose

Why are you changing these inhalers?

Your reliever (blue) inhaler is a metered dose inhaler, sometimes called an aerosol spray inhaler or a ‘puffer.’ This contains a propellant gas in the canister which is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. The Ventolin inhaler has more than twice the carbon footprint of the Salamol inhaler, even though it delivers the same medication, using the same type of device at the same dose. This is because the Salamol inhaler uses less propellant gas.

• Ventolin Evohaler = 28.26kg CO2e emitted per inhaler
• Salamol = 11.95 CO2e emitted per inhaler

How will my prescription change?

The World Health Organisation has said that climate change is the greatest risk to health in the 21st century. We want to prescribe inhalers that release less greenhouse gases, to reduce the impact on climate change. From now on, all prescriptions we issue for blue reliever inhalers will be for the lower carbon footprint Salamol inhaler (Salamol CFC-Free Inhaler 100microgram/ dose).

What do I need to do?

Salamol contains the same medication as Ventolin and is used in the same way. So, you can continue using your inhaler in exactly the same way. Finish the doses in your current inhaler before starting your new Salamol inhaler.

Some people notice a change in the taste of the inhaler and this is normal.

For a reminder of how to use your inhaler, see: asthma.org.uk/advice/inhaler-videos/pmdi

Remember, if you need to use your reliever (blue) inhaler 3 or more times per week, this means your asthma may not be well controlled – so please make an appointment to speak to a healthcare professional.

What if I don’t want my prescription to change? Please contact the pharmacy team at the surgery.