What is Levalbuterol: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Levalbuterol is a bronchodilator medication that helps open up your airways when you're having trouble breathing. It's commonly prescribed for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other conditions that cause your airways to narrow or become inflamed. This medication works quickly to provide relief when you're experiencing breathing difficulties, making it an important part of many people's respiratory treatment plans.

What is Levalbuterol?

Levalbuterol is a refined version of albuterol, containing only the active part of the molecule that helps your breathing. Think of it as a more targeted approach to opening your airways. While albuterol contains two mirror-image versions of the same molecule, levalbuterol uses just the one that does the therapeutic work.

This medication belongs to a class of drugs called beta-2 agonists, which specifically target the muscles around your airways. When you inhale levalbuterol, it travels directly to your lungs where it's needed most. The medication comes as a solution that you breathe in through a nebulizer machine, which turns the liquid into a fine mist.

Levalbuterol was developed to potentially reduce some of the side effects that people experience with regular albuterol. By using only the active component, researchers hoped to maintain the same breathing benefits while minimizing unwanted effects like rapid heartbeat or jitters.

What is Levalbuterol Used For?

Levalbuterol is primarily used to treat and prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway diseases. This means it helps when your airways suddenly tighten up, making it hard to breathe normally.

The most common conditions that levalbuterol treats include asthma, where your airways become inflamed and narrow during an attack. It's also prescribed for people with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, when they experience sudden worsening of their breathing symptoms.

Your doctor might prescribe levalbuterol for exercise-induced bronchospasm, which happens when physical activity triggers your airways to narrow. Some people also use it before exposure to known triggers like allergens or irritants that typically cause breathing problems.

In hospital settings, levalbuterol is sometimes used for severe asthma attacks or other acute breathing emergencies. Healthcare providers may choose it over other bronchodilators when they want to minimize certain side effects while still providing effective airway relief.

How Does Levalbuterol Work?

Levalbuterol works by relaxing the smooth muscles that surround your airways, allowing them to open wider so air can flow more easily. When you breathe in the medication, it binds to special receptors called beta-2 receptors located in your lung muscles.

Once levalbuterol attaches to these receptors, it triggers a chain reaction that tells the muscles to relax and stop squeezing your airways. This process typically begins within minutes of taking the medication, which is why it's so effective for sudden breathing problems.

As a bronchodilator, levalbuterol is considered a moderate-strength medication that's gentler than some alternatives. It's designed to provide effective relief without causing as many of the heart-related side effects that can occur with stronger or less selective bronchodilators.

The medication also helps reduce inflammation in your airways to some degree, though this isn't its primary action. This dual effect of opening airways and reducing irritation makes it particularly useful for people whose breathing problems involve both muscle constriction and inflammation.

How Should I Take Levalbuterol?

Levalbuterol is taken through inhalation using a nebulizer machine that converts the liquid medication into a breathable mist. Your doctor will prescribe a specific dose, typically measured in milligrams, that you'll mix with sterile saline solution in the nebulizer cup.

You can take levalbuterol with or without food, as eating doesn't significantly affect how well the medication works. However, you should use clean, sterile water or saline solution as directed by your healthcare provider or the medication instructions.

Here's how to properly use your levalbuterol nebulizer treatment:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the medication
• Add the prescribed amount of levalbuterol to the nebulizer cup
• Mix with sterile saline if directed by your doctor
• Sit upright and breathe normally through the mouthpiece or mask
• Continue until all the medication is used up, usually 5-15 minutes
• Clean your nebulizer equipment after each use

The timing of your doses depends on whether you're using levalbuterol for prevention or treatment of breathing problems. For ongoing management, you might take it every 6-8 hours, while for acute symptoms, you may use it as needed when breathing becomes difficult.

How Long Should I Take Levalbuterol For?

The length of time you'll use levalbuterol depends on your specific condition and how well you respond to treatment. For people with chronic conditions like asthma or COPD, levalbuterol might be part of a long-term management plan that continues for months or years.

If you're using levalbuterol for acute breathing problems, you might only need it for a few days to a few weeks until your symptoms improve. Your doctor will monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan based on how well you're breathing and whether you're experiencing any side effects.

Some people use levalbuterol on an as-needed basis, taking it only when they feel their breathing becoming difficult. Others might use it on a regular schedule to prevent breathing problems from occurring in the first place.

Never stop taking levalbuterol suddenly without talking to your doctor first, especially if you've been using it regularly. Your healthcare provider might want to gradually reduce your dose or switch you to a different medication to ensure your breathing remains stable.

What Are the Side Effects of Levalbuterol?

Levalbuterol is generally well-tolerated, but like all medications, it can cause side effects in some people. Most side effects are mild and temporary, occurring as your body adjusts to the medication.

The most common side effects you might experience include:

• Mild tremor or shakiness, especially in your hands
• Nervousness or feeling jittery
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Throat irritation or dry mouth
• Cough after inhalation
• Nausea or stomach upset

These common side effects usually improve as you continue using the medication and your body gets used to it. If they persist or become bothersome, let your doctor know so they can adjust your dose or suggest ways to minimize these effects.

Less common but more serious side effects require immediate medical attention. These might include:

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain or tightness
• Severe dizziness or fainting
• Muscle cramps or weakness
• Severe headache
• Difficulty sleeping or unusual restlessness

Very rarely, some people might experience paradoxical bronchospasm, where breathing actually gets worse after taking the medication. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

If you develop signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, swelling of your face or throat, or severe dizziness, seek emergency medical care right away. Though uncommon, allergic reactions to levalbuterol can be serious and need prompt treatment.

Who Should Not Take Levalbuterol?

Levalbuterol isn't suitable for everyone, and certain medical conditions or circumstances might make it unsafe for you to use. Your doctor will carefully review your medical history before prescribing this medication.

You should not use levalbuterol if you're allergic to it or to albuterol, as they're very similar medications. People with certain heart conditions need special consideration, as levalbuterol can affect heart rhythm and blood pressure.

Here are conditions that require careful evaluation before using levalbuterol:

• Heart disease, including irregular heartbeat or recent heart attack
• High blood pressure that's not well controlled
• Overactive thyroid gland
• Diabetes, as the medication can affect blood sugar levels
• Seizure disorders
• Low potassium levels in your blood

Pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers need special consideration when using levalbuterol. While the medication is generally considered safe during pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the risks, your doctor will want to monitor you closely.

If you're breastfeeding, small amounts of levalbuterol might pass into breast milk. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the benefits of treatment against any potential risks to your baby.

Levalbuterol Brand Names

Levalbuterol is available under several brand names, with Xopenex being the most well-known and widely prescribed version. Xopenex comes in different strengths and formulations to meet various patient needs.

Other brand names for levalbuterol include Xopenex HFA, which is an inhaler version, though the nebulizer solution remains the most commonly prescribed form. Generic versions of levalbuterol are also available and work just as effectively as the brand-name medications.

Your pharmacy might substitute a generic version unless your doctor specifically requests the brand name. Generic levalbuterol contains the same active ingredient and works the same way, often at a lower cost to you.

When getting your prescription filled, make sure to verify with your pharmacist that you're receiving the correct formulation and strength that your doctor prescribed. Different concentrations are available, and using the wrong strength could affect how well your treatment works.

Levalbuterol Alternatives

Several alternatives to levalbuterol exist for treating breathing problems, and your doctor might consider these options based on your specific needs and how well you respond to treatment.

Albuterol is the most common alternative, as it works very similarly to levalbuterol but contains both active and inactive forms of the molecule. Many people find albuterol just as effective, and it's often less expensive than levalbuterol.

Other short-acting bronchodilators include:

• Metaproterenol (Alupent), which works similarly but may have more side effects
• Terbutaline, sometimes used when other medications aren't suitable
• Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent), which works differently but can be effective

For long-term management, your doctor might suggest long-acting bronchodilators like salmeterol or formoterol. These medications provide longer-lasting relief but aren't suitable for sudden breathing problems.

Combination medications that include both a bronchodilator and an anti-inflammatory steroid might be recommended for people with more severe or persistent breathing problems. Your healthcare provider will help determine which option works best for your specific situation.

Is Levalbuterol Better Than Albuterol?

Whether levalbuterol is better than albuterol depends on your individual response to treatment and specific medical needs. Both medications are effective bronchodilators that work in very similar ways to open your airways.

Levalbuterol was developed to potentially reduce side effects by using only the active part of the albuterol molecule. Some people do experience fewer side effects like rapid heartbeat or jitters with levalbuterol compared to albuterol.

However, clinical studies show that both medications are equally effective at improving breathing and treating bronchospasm. The choice between them often comes down to how well you tolerate each medication and practical considerations like cost and availability.

Albuterol is generally less expensive and more widely available than levalbuterol. If you're doing well on albuterol without significant side effects, there may be no need to switch to levalbuterol.

Your doctor might recommend trying levalbuterol if you experience bothersome side effects from albuterol, particularly heart-related effects like rapid pulse or chest tightness. Some people find they can achieve the same breathing relief with fewer uncomfortable side effects using levalbuterol.