What is levalbuterol?
Levalbuterol is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing.
Levalbuterol inhalation is used to treat reversible obstructive airway conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.
Levalbuterol inhalation may also be used for conditions other than those listed in this medication guide.
-
Precautions
-
Instructions
-
Side Effects
-
Interactions
Precautions
Before using levalbuterol inhalation, tell your doctor if you have
- heart disease, an irregular heartbeat, or high blood pressure;
- a seizure disorder;
- diabetes; or
- an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
You may not be able to use levalbuterol inhalation or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Levalbuterol inhalation is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether levalbuterol inhalation will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether levalbuterol passes into breast milk. Do not use levalbuterol inhalation without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Levalbuterol inhalation is not approved for use by children younger than 6 years of age.
Avoid situations that may make your condition worse such as exercising in cold, dry air; smoking; breathing in dust; and exposure to allergens such as pet fur.
▲
Back to top
Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a levalbuterol overdose include angina or chest pain, irregular heartbeats or a fluttering heart, seizures, tremor, nervousness, weakness, headache, dry mouth, dizziness, sleeplessness, nausea, and vomiting.
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of this medication.
▲
Back to top
Side Effects
Stop using levalbuterol inhalation and seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- worsening of respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath, wheezing); or
- chest pain or irregular heartbeats.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use levalbuterol inhalation and talk to your doctor if you experience
- dizziness;
- tremor or nervousness;
- anxiety;
- headache;
- cough or runny nose;
- upset stomach; or
- leg cramps.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
▲
Back to top
Interactions
Before using levalbuterol inhalation, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin),acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), and others;
- a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
- a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
- a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), torsemide (Demadex), and others;
- digoxin (Lanoxin);
- another inhaled bronchodilator; or
- caffeine, diet pills, or decongestants.
You may not be able to use levalbuterol inhalation, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with levalbuterol inhalation or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
Other Names
Xopenex, Xopenex Concentrate, Xopenex HFA, and levalbuterol
▲
Back to top
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04
Updating results…
0 helpful marks
