Blue steroid inhaler use

[Thatsnotevenmyusername]

Totally in the wrong place I know but desperation posting in aibu for traffic. Can someone please tell me if I can give another dose of the salbutamol reliever inhaler after 4 hours? Previously given 10 puffs almost 4 hours ago due to loud wheeze and rapid breathing which relieved symptoms but now 4 hours later same symptoms have returned. Thanks

Sorry the title should not read steroid inhaler. It is the reliever inhaler

Yes you can but best to ring 111 as well.

Thank you. Unfortunately I am in a part of the uk on which 111 is unavailable so my options are either another 10 puffs or a&e

Once your on 10 puffs 4 hourly you need to be reviewed medically

Yes give it, but get medical advice too. Tonight.

Oh dear, yes you can but if symptoms are reoccurring best to be safe and be seen. Might need short course of steroids /antibiotics. Hope they feel better soon x

Yes, you can xxx

Is it a child? What age?

Lifetime asthma sufferer here. My understanding is that ventolin/salbutamol is not something you can overdose on unless taking extreme amounts. Maybe someone else will come on to advise better. You may end up with a headache or shaky. I’m assuming you’re using a spacer rather than direct from the inhaler as you said 10 puffs? A couple of puffs should normally do the trick.

However, it sounds like things are not improving/ getting worse? Asthma attacks, in my experience, tend to get worse as the night comes. Perhaps you should call 111 for advice in case things get worse. You may need Prednisolone (steroids) in which case it’s better to get them into your system sooner rather than later if things are not improving. Asthma, as I’m sure you know, is not something to mess around with.

I hope you are feeling better soon. X

This is from my DD's asthma care plan.

I was advised that it’s basically impossible to overdose on.

However, it doesn’t seem to be working so I’d be getting some medical attention.

I was always told if I needed to give 10 puffs of the blue one then I need to take my son to a&e to be checked over. When this happens they add us onto a plan of how many doses per how many hours gaps.

Thanks everyone. It is for my dc 1 year old. Diagnosed with asthma 2.5 weeks ago after 3 hospital admissions with breathing problems. We were back to a&e on Friday just past with wheezing and rapid breathing again. DC was given 3 back to back nebulisers and dexomethasone steroid to take down the inflammation in their lungs which worked and we were able to go home. Dc has had wheeze on and off today with rapid breathing. 10 puffs earlier given through a spacer settled it all down to normal but 4 hours later it has returned

Sorry, just read your updates. If you can’t use 111 try your dr for the on call dr to see if they can help with steroids. If not, and things don’t improve go to A&E. That’s what it’s for. They will help.

For future, ask your dr about keeping a supply of steroids at home for emergencies.

I think you should attend A&E if there is no 111/on call GP service where you live to seek advice from.

I think you should go to A&E, your child is too young to fully communicate with you so you need some input. Is it possible these are any allergy triggers where you're staying (cat / dust mites / ...)?

A 1 yr old who is genuinely needing 10 puffs needs checking out. Tonight.

It's supposed to be ONE puff (spray of the inhaler) then you breathe it in for TEN BREATHS via the spacer, not TEN PUFFS for a one year old!

I think if 10 puffs were needed, that requires urgent medical intervention, especially for a baby. Had you tried 1/2 puffs with no relief of symptoms first?

I am aware it is one puff in the spacer for 10 breaths. However after 4 very recent hospital visits (3 admissions) the hospital staff have been very clear to me that I can administer up to 10 puffs (1 at a time and wait 10 seconds via spacer) if dc needs it

Too much ventolin can cause breathing issues and a smoker's-type cough.
www.treatasthmaathome.com/3-side-effects-of-ventolin-abuse/

As of our most recent hospital visit on Friday the emergency doctor there told me to give dc 6 puffs over the next few days as and when needed while their chest settles. I administered 6 puffs but this did not resolve the wheeze and rapid breathing after 6 so administered a further 4 one at a time

So 6 puffs wasn't cutting it. I always tell parents they can give 10 puffs in an emergency, but if they're needing to give it the child needs to be seen.

Phone the on call Dr. I've had to do this for DS (NI and no 111) and he was able to put him on a nebuliser there rather than waiting in A&E for them to do the same thing. The Dr can at least advise best course of action