Ventoduo Inhaler in Spain: What It Treats and How It Differs From Ventolin

The Ventoduo inhaler treats asthma when symptoms are not controlled by a short-acting reliever inhaler alone. It combines salbutamol, which opens the airways, with beclometasone, an inhaled steroid. It needs a prescription in Spain. This guide is by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, an English-speaking GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280) who sees patients by video in English and Spanish.

What is the Ventoduo inhaler used for?

Ventoduo is used to treat asthma in people who need both a short-acting reliever and a steroid. It is used when symptoms are not controlled by a short-acting reliever taken when needed. Salbutamol eases wheeze and breathlessness. Beclometasone calms the swelling inside the airways, which is what drives asthma.

What is in Ventoduo?

Each puff has 100 micrograms of salbutamol and 50 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate. It is a pressurised can with 200 puffs. These numbers are the strength of each puff. They are not advice on how many puffs to use: your doctor sets that. Each puff also has a very small amount of alcohol.

How is Ventoduo different from Ventolin?

Ventolin has only salbutamol. It eases breathlessness but does not treat the swelling in the airways. Ventoduo adds a steroid to each puff. So each time you use it for symptoms, you also get a dose of anti-swelling treatment. Both are used when needed. If your doctor has also given you a daily preventer, keep using it every day, even when you feel well.

Do you use Ventoduo every day or only with symptoms?

The leaflet says to use it when needed and not on a fixed schedule. If you need it more than twice a week for asthma symptoms, not counting use before exercise, your asthma is not well controlled. Do not use it more often on your own. See your doctor to review your treatment. Do not stop it suddenly without talking to them.

Do you need a prescription for Ventoduo in Spain?

Yes. It is a prescription-only medicine. If you run out or lose your inhaler in Spain, read how to get an asthma inhaler prescription in Spain.

Who should not use Ventoduo, and who should check first?

Do not use it if you are allergic to salbutamol, beclometasone or anything else in it. Check with your doctor first if you:

• have heart disease, high blood pressure or an aneurysm;
• have an overactive thyroid, diabetes or a phaeochromocytoma (a rare adrenal tumour);
• have low potassium or take digoxin;
• have or have had tuberculosis, or an infection of the eyes, mouth or airways;
• compete in sport: salbutamol can show up in a doping test.

Can children use Ventoduo?

The product information covers children aged 5 to 11 and people aged 12 and over. For a child, the doctor decides if it suits them. Children on inhaled steroids for a long time have their height checked.

Can I use it when pregnant or breastfeeding?

Only if your doctor thinks the benefit to you outweighs any risk to the baby. Do not stop your asthma treatment on your own. Poorly controlled asthma is also a risk in pregnancy.

What are the side effects?

The most common is thrush in the mouth and throat. Rinsing your mouth with water after each use helps prevent it. It can also cause shaking, headache, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, a hoarse voice and a sore throat. Tell your doctor about blurred vision. If wheeze or breathlessness gets worse straight after a puff, stop using it and get help at once.

In English: what is the equivalent?

Salbutamol is called albuterol in the US. Beclometasone is spelled beclomethasone in the US. In the UK, these two medicines are usually given as two separate inhalers: a blue salbutamol reliever and a beclometasone preventer. We are not aware of a UK or US inhaler with this exact pair. In the US, a reliever that pairs albuterol with a different steroid, budesonide, is sold as Airsupra. Spanish pharmacies need a prescription from a doctor licensed in Spain, so bring your old inhaler or its box to the visit.

When to see a doctor

• You need your inhaler more than twice a week.
• Asthma wakes you at night or limits what you can do.
• The inhaler helps less, or for less than 3 hours.
• You have white patches in your mouth or a hoarse voice that does not go away.

When to call 112

• Your inhaler does not help and your breathing is getting worse.
• You are too breathless to speak in full sentences.
• Blue lips or nails, drowsiness or confusion.
• Swelling of the face, lips or tongue after using it.

Frequently asked questions about Ventoduo

Getting a medical assessment

If you have asthma and want your treatment reviewed, you can book a video consultation with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, a physician registered in Spain. You can also read about asthma care. A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.

This guide is general information. It does not replace the package leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.