Ventolin (Salbutamol) is actually a prescription drug used to treat breathing problems arising out of bronchospasms, particularly in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Salbutamol is not a chemical substance whose possession and use are controlled by law. Therefore, nobody has ever thought that the drug can be abused. As a matter of fact, Ventolin may be misused for a number of reasons, ranging from weight loss to enhancing athletic performance.

As Salbutamol is known to have a stimulatory impact on amplifying the heart rate and blood pressure, there is every possibility of some section of people abusing the medication for its stimulant properties. However, in majority of cases, users merely feel “jittery” (being in a tense state) from Salbutamol overuse. As stimulants can be a source of reducing your weight, some people may make excess use of Salbutamol with the intention to lose weight rapidly. In recent time, Ventolin is being used as a performance-enhancing drug by athletes. The medication is not sanctioned for any of these purposes.

People abusing Ventolin for unintended purposes can face dire consequences in the form of dangerous side effects such as high blood pressure, a fast heart rate, and irregular heart rhythms. These side effects may lead to an increased risk of stoke, heart attack or other health ailments. Salbutamol can prove to be fatal in patients with epilepsy, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid known as hyperthyroid. You should always use Ventolin under the proper guidance of a qualified physician.

Ventolin (Salbutamol) is a life-saving drug for patients suffering from asthma. So, it is highly imperative not to disallow people with asthma from accessing Salbutamol inhalers, even if a possibility of drug abuse is suspected. In certain cases, people resort to overdoses of Ventolin when their asthma symptoms go out of control. This may generally happen because of poorly controlled asthma. Though this kind of usage of the medication is not recommended, it can not be categorized under Salbutamol abuse.

Various symptoms of Ventolin overdose may include hypertension or hypotension, angina, a fast heart rate (tachycardia), headaches, jitteriness, heart palpitations, insomnia, nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, cardiac arrest, seizures, an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), low potassium level in the blood (hypokalemia), or even loss of life.

The treatment for a Salbutamol overdose revolves around supportive care. This type of care is all about treating the symptoms that result out of the overdose. You can weigh a number of supportive treatment options such as drugs (like beta blockers) to reverse the consequences of Ventolin, fluids through an intravenous line (IV), or other complication specific treatments.

You should consult your doctor if you’re taking Ventolin (Salbutamol) more often than recommended or without prescription. Even if it is not an abuse of the medication, your physician can guide you to treat your asthma more befittingly.