Although mainly consistent with basic findings, clinical studies suggest no overwhelming superiority of levalbuterol over racemic albuterol; however, levalbuterol's effects may be greatest in moderate to severe asthma patients, especially with racemic albuterol overuse. Recent adoption of the hydrofluoroalkane formulation has narrowed the cost gap between levalbuterol and racemic albuterol metered-dose inhalers, but it remains for the nebulized formulations.
Thus, physician selection of these drugs has remained dependent on experience, pharmaceutical knowledge, and established prescribing habits combined with cost factors, formulary structures, and availability, such that racemic albuterol is still used significantly compared with levalbuterol to treat acute asthma exacerbations. To avoid drug interactions, let your healthcare provider know about any and all drugs and supplements you take before starting Xopenex.
This includes pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, nutritional, herbal, and recreational drugs. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Food and Drug Administration. FDA listing of authorized generics as of April 1, April 1, Airflow obstruction: is it asthma or is it COPD? Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Xopenex HFA levalbuterol tartrate inhalation aerosol, for oral inhalation use.
Updated February Do inhaled levalbuterol and racemic albuterol have different cardiac effects? Evid Based Prac. Comparison of levalbuterol and racemic albuterol based on cardiac adverse effects in children.
J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. Safety of levalbuterol compared to albuterol in patients with a tachyarrhythmia. J Pharm Technol. Krafczyk MA, Asplund C. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction: Diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. Patient education: Asthma and pregnancy Beyond the Basics. April 26, Managing asthma during pregnancy. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. Xopenex levalbuterol HCl inhalation solution concentrate, 1. Updated September Hsu E, Bajaj T. Beta 2 agonists. In: StatPearls. Updated October 29, Drug interactions with oral inhaled medications.
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Side Effects. Warnings and Interactions. How to Choose the Best Portable Nebulizer. When to Call If breathing problems worsen after using Xopenex or any other inhaled beta-agonist , call Asthma and High Blood Pressure Medications. Was this page helpful? If you need to use them more often, talk with your doctor.
Rescue medications are used as needed to treat sudden breathing problems. If you do need to use your rescue medication more than twice a week, your doctor may recommend adjusting your treatment plan.
Listed below are the maximum recommended dosages for Xopenex and Xopenex HFA, when these drugs are used to treat bronchospasm related to asthma. If you have questions about how often you should be using Xopenex or Xopenex HFA, talk with your doctor.
In people ages 12 years and older, the maximum dosage of Xopenex is usually 1. For people ages 6 through 11 years, the maximum dosage is usually 0. In people ages 4 years and older, the maximum dosage of Xopenex HFA is usually two puffs a total of 90 mcg taken once every 4 hours.
If you have certain heart problems such as blood pressure issues or heart palpitations or you drink large amounts of alcohol, you may be more likely to have side effects from these medications. Xopenex can interact with several other medications.
It can also interact with certain supplements. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Below are lists of medications that can interact with Xopenex. These lists do not contain all the drugs that may interact with Xopenex. Before taking Xopenex, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take.
Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. This includes heart-related side effects such as chest pain, palpitations feeling fluttering with your heartbeat , or changes in your blood pressure. Interactions with these drugs are described below.
Taking these medications together can further increase your risk of having a low potassium level. Symptoms of low potassium level include muscle cramps, problems with your heart rhythm, dizziness, and fainting. Typically, changes in your potassium level that are caused by taking Xopenex or Xopenex HFA are temporary.
And your potassium level usually returns to normal without being treated. If you need to take a diuretic, your doctor will likely recommend that you use a drug other than Xopenex or Xopenex HFA. Using beta-blockers with either of these drugs can also make you more prone to having bronchospasm tightening of your airways that can make it hard for you to breathe.
If you need to take a beta-blocker, your doctor will likely recommend that you use a drug other than Xopenex or Xopenex HFA. This can make digoxin less effective to treat your condition. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you use a drug other than Xopenex or Xopenex HFA if you need to take digoxin. Examples of these antidepressant medications include:. These side effects can include fast heart rate, palpitations feeling fluttering with your heartbeat , or changes in your blood pressure.
However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking Xopenex. Sometimes severe, life-threatening side effects can occur with overuse or misuse of these drugs. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at or use their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Studies are currently being done to better understand if these drugs have an effect on pregnant women or on their developing fetuses.
The doses of these drugs given in the studies were higher than typical doses given to humans. No negative effects were seen in fetuses exposed to either drug. More studies are needed to know if these drugs affect human pregnancies. They can discuss with you the risks and benefits of different treatment options. Your doctor can recommend healthy and safe ways to feed your child. Your insurance plan may require you to get prior authorization before they approve coverage for Xopenex.
This means that your doctor will need to send a request to your insurance company asking them to cover the drug. The insurance company will review the request and let you and your doctor know if your plan will cover Xopenex. If you need financial support to pay for Xopenex HFA, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. For more information, call Xopenex and Xopenex HFA are each used as needed to treat and prevent bronchospasm caused by certain breathing conditions.
With bronchospasm, your airways becomes tight and narrow, which makes it hard for you to breathe. It generally takes about 5 to 15 minutes for each treatment. Instructions for how to use your nebulizer will be specific to your machine. Children or older adults who are taking Xopenex may need help to set up and use their nebulizer.
With an MDI, the drug is released in puffs, which are inhaled. For some people, using an MDI is more difficult than using a nebulizer. Xopenex and Xopenex HFA are short-acting beta-agonists beta agonists. Examples of reversible obstructive airway disease include conditions such as asthma and certain other breathing problems that are related to allergies.
Xopenex and Xopenex HFA work by quickly relaxing the muscles in your airways, which makes it easier for you to breathe. After taking each dose of Xopenex or Xopenex HFA, your breathing symptoms should be noticeably improved within about 15 minutes. Xopenex and Xopenex HFA are considered rescue medications because they work quickly to treat symptoms when they occur.
Xopenex may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:. When you get Xopenex from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the container. The expiration date helps guarantee the effectiveness of the medication during this time. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it. How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.
Vials of Xopenex liquid solution come in a foil pouch. Canisters of Xopenex HFA aerosol spray come in a box. Do not puncture or burn canisters of Xopenex HFA. Also, avoid storing them near heat.
This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.
The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication. Canisters containing Xopenex HFA should never be disposed of in a fire or incinerator. The medication inside the canisters is stored under pressure. If heated, the canisters may burst open. Xopenex and Xopenex HFA are beta2 adrenergic-agonists, which activate receptors on the smooth muscle tissue of airways.
This in turn activates adenylate cyclase to increase concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate AMP. Increased concentrations of cyclic AMP activates protein kinase A, which interferes with the phosphorylation of myosin and decreases calcium concentrations in smooth muscle cells.
This leads to relaxation in the muscles and provides relief of bronchospasm symptoms. Xopenex and Xopenex HFA relax the airways from the trachea down to the terminal bronchioles. Because beta2-adrenergic receptors are also present in the heart, Xopenex may cause heart-related side effects. Xopenex and Xopenex HFA are metabolized in the gastrointestinal tract via sulfotransferase SULT1A3 and are eliminated primarily in the urine as unchanged drug and metabolite. The elimination half-life of Xopenex is estimated to be 3 to 4 hours.
Xopenex and Xopenex HFA are contraindicated in people with a previous hypersensitivity reaction to levalbuterol or albuterol. Several different precautions exist. Vials containing Xopenex liquid solution are supplied in a foil pouch. Once a foil pouch is opened, the vials must be used within 2 weeks. If vials are removed from the pouch, they must be protected from light and used within 1 week. Canisters containing Xopenex HFA aerosol spray are supplied in a box.
The actuator mouthpiece should be facing down when stored. Do not puncture, burn, or store canisters near heat. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.
However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD support groups can give people a place to talk, share resources, and make friends.
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It measures the amount of breath a person can exhale in 1 second. The symptoms of end stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD include frequent lung infections, difficulty eating, and shortness of breath…. Xopenex levalbuterol. What is Xopenex? Xopenex is available in two forms, which are described below. Xopenex vs. Xopenex generic. Xopenex dosage. The Xopenex dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. Drug forms and strengths Xopenex comes in these two forms: a liquid solution, called Xopenex an aerosol spray, called Xopenex HFA The strengths and dosages for each of these forms are described below.
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