Description
How it works
In asthma and similar conditions, the muscles around the airways tighten, the lining can swell, and mucus may build up. This narrows the airways and causes:
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
Salamol Easi-Breathe contains salbutamol, a selective β₂-agonist bronchodilator. It works by:
- Relaxing the smooth muscle in the airway walls
- Opening (dilating) the airways so air can flow more easily
- Providing quick relief from wheeze, tight chest and breathlessness
Key points:
- Starts to work within a few minutes
- Effects usually last 4–6 hours in reversible airway obstruction
- It is a reliever only – you should still use your preventer (usually a steroid) inhaler regularly if prescribed
The Easi-Breathe device is breath-actuated: once you open the cap and breathe in through the mouthpiece, it automatically releases a dose – helpful for patients who find it hard to co-ordinate pressing and inhaling with a standard pMDI.
Who it may be suitable for
Salamol Easi-Breathe may be suitable for:
- People with asthma
- People with other conditions causing reversible airway obstruction, on a doctor’s advice
- Those who:
- Need quick relief from wheeze, chest tightness or shortness of breath
- Want help preventing symptoms before exercise or exposure to triggers (e.g. house dust, pollen, pets, cold air, cigarette smoke)
- Struggle to co-ordinate “press and breathe” with a conventional inhaler and would benefit from a breath-actuated device
Salamol Easi-Breathe is indicated for:
- Adults (including the elderly)
- Adolescents
- Children aged 4–11 years (with adult supervision)
The 24 HR Pharmacy online service is aimed at adults. Children with breathing problems must be assessed and prescribed for by their GP or a specialist.
Who it may not be suitable for
Do not use Salamol Easi-Breathe if:
- You are allergic to salbutamol or any of the inhaler ingredients
- It is being considered for threatened miscarriage or premature labour – this inhaled preparation must not be used for those purposes
Use with extra caution and seek advice from a doctor if you have:
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Heart problems (e.g. ischaemic heart disease, previous heart attack, arrhythmias, severe heart failure, aneurysm)
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Severe or untreated high blood pressure
-
Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism/thyrotoxicosis)
-
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
Phaeochromocytoma -
Diabetes (salbutamol can raise blood glucose; additional monitoring may be needed)
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History of low potassium levels
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Difficult-to-control asthma requiring frequent reliever use
Important interactions – speak to a prescriber if you’re on:
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Non-selective beta-blockers (e.g. propranolol) – can block salbutamol and may trigger bronchospasm
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Medicines that can lower potassium (certain diuretics, xanthines like theophylline, steroids, digitalis)
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MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants, some anaesthetics, anti-arrhythmics and ergot derivatives – can increase cardiovascular side-effects
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Disulfiram or metronidazole, due to the small ethanol content in each puff
Frequent reliance on Salamol (e.g. needing it more than twice a week outside of exercise use) suggests poorly controlled asthma and should trigger a clinical review.
Side Effects
Like all medicines, Salamol Easi-Breathe can cause side effects, although many people have none, or only mild symptoms.
The more common or important side effects include:
- Feeling tense or “on edge”
- Headache
- Feeling shaky or experiencing fine tremor (especially of the hands)
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
- Mouth or throat irritation
- Muscle cramps or mild muscle aches
- Raised blood glucose (hyperglycaemia)
Other side effects:
- Sleep problems, hallucinations or hyperactivity (especially in children)
- Restlessness
- Tachycardia, arrhythmias, myocardial ischaemia (heart-related problems, usually in those with existing heart disease or at high doses)
- Peripheral vasodilation (warm flushed skin)
- Nausea, vomiting, dry or sore mouth, taste changes, heartburn
- Itching or rash
- Paradoxical bronchospasm – sudden worsening of wheeze and breathlessness immediately after a dose
- Hypokalaemia (low potassium) and increased serum lactate at high doses
Stop using the inhaler and seek urgent medical help if:
- Your breathing suddenly gets worse right after using it (paradoxical bronchospasm)
- You get chest pain or signs of heart problems, especially if you already have heart disease
- You develop swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe rash
Patient Information Leaflet
Please see HERE for the Patient Information Leaflet
Additional Info
- Active ingredient: salbutamol sulfate, equivalent to 100 micrograms salbutamol per metered dose (puff)
- Form: pressurised inhalation, suspension, CFC-free, in a breath-actuated Easi-Breathe device with 200 doses
- Indication: symptomatic treatment of asthma and other conditions with reversible airways obstruction, and prevention of exercise- or allergen-induced bronchospasm.
- Excipient with known effect: each puff contains about 3.93 mg alcohol (ethanol) – less than 0.1 ml of beer or wine; the amount is too small to have noticeable effects, but there is a theoretical interaction with disulfiram/metronidazole.
- Driving & using machines: no specific studies; if you feel dizzy, shaky or unwell, avoid driving or operating machinery until you feel better.
- Pregnancy & breastfeeding:
- Should only be used when the expected benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the baby.
- Salbutamol crosses the placenta and may pass into breast milk, though harmful effects at inhaled doses are not established.
Storage & handling:
- Keep below the temperature stated in the leaflet (usually below 30°C)
- Do not expose to heat, sunlight or freezing
- Do not puncture, break or burn the canister, even when empty
- Do not put the metal canister in water
Salamol Easi-Breathe is a prescription-only medicine. Through 24 HR Pharmacy it is supplied only after an online asthma assessment has been completed and approved by a prescriber.
Directions
How to take the drug
Always use Salamol Easi-Breathe exactly as your doctor or asthma plan tells you, and follow the patient information leaflet.
Usual doses – adults (including elderly)
Relief of acute symptoms (wheezing, chest tightness, breathlessness):
- Start with 1 puff (100 micrograms)
- If needed, this may be increased to 2 puffs (200 micrograms)
- Do not exceed 8 puffs (800 micrograms) in 24 hours
- Inhalations should not usually be repeated more often than every 4 hours
Prevention of exercise- or allergen-induced symptoms:
- 2 puffs (200 micrograms)
- Taken 10–15 minutes before exercise or exposure to a known trigger
If you need your inhaler much more frequently than usual, or find it doesn’t last at least 3–4 hours, your asthma may be worsening – seek medical advice promptly.
Children’s doses: For 4–11-year-olds, dosing is similar (1 puff, up to 2 puffs if needed; up to 2 puffs 4 times daily), but must be set and supervised by a paediatric clinician and an adult.
How to use your Salamol Easi-Breathe inhaler
- Shake the inhaler vigorously.
- Hold it upright.
- Open the inhaler by folding down the cap that fits over the mouthpiece.
- Breathe out normally as far as is comfortable.
- Place the mouthpiece firmly between your lips. Keep the inhaler upright and make sure your hand is not blocking the airholes.
- Breathe in slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece. Don’t stop breathing when the inhaler puffs the dose into your mouth – carry on until you’ve taken a deep breath.
- Remove the inhaler and hold your breath for about 10 seconds, or as long as comfortable, then breathe out slowly.
- After use, hold the inhaler upright and close the cap immediately.
- If you need a second puff, close the cap, wait about one minute, then repeat from step 1.
Extra points:
- Always sit or stand upright when using it.
- The inhaler works correctly only in a vertical position.
- If you haven’t used it for 5 days or more, test it by firing two puffs into the air.
- Clean the inhaler once a week as described in the leaflet to prevent aerosol build-up in the mouthpiece.
Missed a dose?
Salamol Easi-Breathe is used “as needed”, not on a strict schedule.
- If you forget to use it before exercise and develop symptoms, take your usual dose as soon as possible and follow your asthma action plan.
- Don’t use extra puffs “just in case” when you have no symptoms, unless your doctor has specifically advised this.
If you use more than you should
Taking too many puffs can cause:
- Shakiness or fine tremor (especially in the hands)
- Headache, restlessness, insomnia
- Fast or pounding heartbeat (tachycardia, palpitations)
- Dizziness, feeling tense, chest discomfort
- In high doses: low potassium, raised blood sugar and raised lactic acid levels
If you think you’ve used more than the maximum recommended dose, or feel very unwell, contact a doctor or NHS 111 immediately.
FAQs
What is Salamol Easi-Breathe used for?
Salamol Easi-Breathe is used quickly relieve wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness in asthma and other conditions with reversible airway narrowing. It helps prevent asthma symptoms triggered by exercise or allergens when taken before exposure
How is Salamol Easi-Breathe different from a normal Salamol puffer?
Easi-Breathe is breath-actuated – it releases a dose when you inhale through the mouthpiece, rather than when you press down with your finger. This can be easier if you struggle to time “breathe and press” together with a standard pMDI.
How quickly does it work and how long does it last?
It usually starts to work within a few minutes and it's effect typically lasts 4–6 hours in reversible airway obstruction,
How often can I use my Salamol Easi-Breathe inhaler?
1–2 puffs as needed for symptoms with a maximum 8 puffs in 24 hours.
Can I use it before exercise?
Yes. Salamol Easi-Breathe is commonly used for exercise-induced asthma:
What’s the difference between Salamol Easi-Breathe and my preventer inhaler?
Salamol Easi-Breathe is a short-acting reliever that opens airways quickly and is used as needed for symptoms or before triggers. Preventer inhaler is taken every day, even when well which reduces inflammation and sensitivity in the airways and helps prevent attacks rather than just treating them.
Can I use Salamol Easi-Breathe if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding
It can be used when clearly needed, because uncontrolled asthma can be dangerous for both mother and baby. The SmPC advises using it only where the benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk and with careful medical supervision.
What should I do if I’m using Salamol Easi-Breathe a lot or it’s not working well?
This can be a sign of poorly controlled or worsening asthma, which can be dangerous. Seek urgent medical advice if: you need your reliever inhaler more often than usual, it doesn’t relieve your symptoms as well or for as long, you wake at night with breathlessness or wheezing, or you are using more than 8 puffs per day.
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