Ventolin vs generic - help please
Does anyone know the difference between Ventolin and generic salbutamol? The leaflets say they're the same thing, same set of ingredients. Doctors and nurses generally say they're the same thing. But many patients have problems with generics when switching. My mother is struggling as she has run out of Ventolin nebules, can't get hold of them, and doesn't get on with any generic alternatives she's tried. She's getting really desperate.
Hi. Thank you for the great question. The medicine in both Ventolin (brand name) and the generic salbutamols has to be the same. This is required by law in order for a generic to gain approval to enter the market. Although, some of the contents of generics may be different from the brand Ventolin. This may explain why some people (such as your mother) do not feel the generics work as well as the brand Ventolin. That is the most common explanation I get from my pharmacy friends. Is this the type of answer you were looking for? John. asthma.net community moderator
I am so sorry to hear that your mom is struggling. First and foremost, if her current medication is not helping her asthma symptoms, she should seek medical attention immediately.
Asexplained, Ventolin and generic medicine are exactly the same. When using an inhaler, the propellant may be different. Users may prefer different propellants based on taste, allergies, and how the medicine sprays out of the inhaler. If she is using a nebulizer, there should be no difference between the brand name and the generic.
How often is she using her Ventolin? It may not be working because she has an asthma episode/attack and needs additional or different medication. May I ask why she cannot access the Ventolin? Is it an insurance issue? I'm not aware of any shortages at the moment. ~ Lorene, team memberHello and thanks for the replies. My mum is in and out of hospital, more in than out over the last few months. The medicines the hospital are giving her are not working. We're in UK so it's a supply issue rather than insurance. She uses a nebulizer nowadays but said her experience of Ventolin vs generic is the same in either inhalers or nebulizers - Ventolin works while generic doesn't. In the UK at least, Ventolin nebules have been discontinued. She only has a few boxes left and is panicking as generic doesn't work for her and she cannot get Ventolin branded - our pharmacy has tried all the UK wholesalers, there is no stock. So this is why I am asking if anyone has had similar experience and gotten to the bottom of the differences. Doctors on the asthma ward are being extremely unhelpful just saying they are the same thing. They tried to fool her by telling her that they'd given her Ventolin when they hadn't, and she told them she knew it wasn't and she was right. She definitely knows the difference. So I'm a bit lost trying to help her. Is there a propellant in nebules? I cannot see any other ingredients other than salt, water and salbutamol sulphate in all the varieties I have looked at. Sorry for the ramble. Thanks for your help.
Pharmacy tech here. Brand name and generic contain same amount of active ingredients. The only difference would be propellants, preservatives or fillers. Some people are very sensitive to the differences. In tablets, fillers are the things people mostly react to. Med either working, not working.
Not sure what to tell you except if it is all you got is generic Ventolin...give it a few days. Sometimes the inner fear of thinking something doesn't work makes it worse. I am not saying your mom is making it up! Anxiety can do weird things to our bodies.
Have you tried looking for Ventolin online? Some places deliver to UK.
Good luck!
