Salbutamol change to Salamol

Re: Change to your medication - Salbutamol CFC free change to SALAMOL CFC free metered dose inhaler

The NHS is committed to lowering it’s carbon footprint and reducing our impact on the climate crisis and our environment.

Did you know that the NHS is responsible for 4% of the UK’s carbon footprint?

In general practice, most of our carbon emissions are associated with prescribing, and in particular the prescribing of inhalers for asthma and COPD

To help reduce our carbon emissions, Norwood Medical Centre we will changing your Salbutamol CFC free metered dose inhaler to the brand SALAMOL CFC free metered dose inhaler.

This is because although the medicine is exactly the same, the gases used to propel the active ingredient cause much less global warming which is better for the environment.

Both preparations contain the same active ingredients, and you should not notice any difference in their effectiveness. You may notice a change in taste – this is normal.

There have been no changes made to your strength or dosage

The changes will be made automatically to your repeat list, and you may order your next prescription in the usual way. Please continue to use any remaining salbutamol inhaler before ordering your new Salamol inhaler.

Used inhalers should not be put in your household waste as even when ‘empty’ some gases remain which are harmful to the environment.

Please return all used inhalers to a community pharmacy for safe disposal.

If you have any concerns regarding this letter please contact 01229 402525 and the surgery can arrange a phone call with it’s pharmacist.

Thank you for your co-operation

Yours sincerely,

Norwood Medical Centre

Information

In general practice, most of our carbon emissions are associated with prescribing, and in particular the prescribing of inhalers for asthma and COPD.

Salamol MDI is a brand of salbutamol inhaler. It contains the same active ingredient (salbutamol) as your previous inhaler and will work in the same way.

We are changing to this brand because it is better for the environment. It produces 50% less carbon emissions than your previous salbutamol/Ventolin inhaler. It has less impact on global warming.

It is not a change to save money it is to reduce our carbon emissions (try and lower our carbon footprint)

The only difference is the ‘propellant or gas’ in Salamol which is used to propel the drug into your lungs is better for the environment.

The Co2 emissions from a ventolin inhaler is equivalent to the emissions caused by driving a car for 175 miles!

For Salamol it is equivalent to 74 miles.

Because the propellant is different you may notice,

A change of taste with your new salamol inhaler – This is normal and nothing to be concerned about.

The force at which the ‘propellant’ comes out of the inhaler may feel different to what you have been used to, but this does not mean it is working less well. It is giving out less gas, so it is better for the environment, but it is still delivering the medication to your lungs.

Keeping plastic mouthpiece clean is important to prevent inhaler becoming blocked. Salamol MDI should be cleaned once a week

•            Remove the mouthpiece cap.
•            Remove the metal canister from the plastic mouthpiece. Do not put the metal canister into water.
•            Rinse the inhaler mouthpiece and the mouthpiece cap with warm running water for at least 30 seconds.
•            Shake off any excess water and dry the plastic mouthpiece and mouthpiece cap thoroughly (leave to dry overnight if possible) but do not use direct heat. Put the metal canister back  in your inhaler. Replace the cap.
•            Failure to allow the mouthpiece to dry properly will result in an increase in blockage problems.

If you need to use your inhaler before it is dry, shake off any water from the plastic mouthpiece and put the canister back in. Test spray the inhaler by firing two puffs in the air before taking your usual dose. Wash and dry the mouthpiece again as described above.

If you are needing to use your salbutamol/ Ventolin/ Salamol inhaler 3 or more times per week, this means your asthma may not be well controlled – so please make an appointment to speak to a healthcare professional.