Ventolin is a brand name for albuterol (also known as salbutamol), which is a medication used to prevent and treat wheezing and shortness of breath caused by breathing problems such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) . It is also used to prevent asthma brought on by exercise. Ventolin is a quick-relief drug that belongs to a class of drugs known as bronchodilators. It works by relaxing the muscles around the airways so that they open up and you can breathe more easily. Ventolin is available as an inhaler with a built-in dose counter that tells you how many sprays of medicine you have remaining and is available in 2 sizes (200 sprays or 60 sprays) . Ventolin is a prescription medication and should only be used as directed by a doctor.