(R)-albuterol is also called levalbuterol, and it’s the active form of the drug.
(S)-albuterol has been thought to contribute to the medication’s side effects.
Levalbuterol can sometimes cost more than albuterol and is not always the first choice for treating asthma symptoms.
However, some people may have gradually worsening asthma symptoms after long-term albuterol use.
In this case, healthcare professionals may change the treatment to levalbuterol.
What Is Levalbuterol?
Levalbuterol belongs to the group of drugs calledbeta-agonists.
It’s also called abronchodilator.
Bronchodilators are medications that help open your airways.
Short-acting beta agonists work right away and are typically taken to quickly relieve symptoms of an asthma attack.
Levalbuterol is available as a generic and brand-name version called Xopenex HFA.
The generic version comes as a liquid to be inhaled through your mouth using anebulizer.
Xopenex HFA is available as an aerosol that you inhale by mouth using ametered dose inhaler.
Xopenex HFAis FDA-approved to prevent and treat bronchospasm in adults and children as young as 4 years of age.
Bronchospasm may be due to breathing conditions such as asthma orchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
you might also use levalbuterol as soon as you feel asthma symptoms to help prevent an asthma attack.
In this case, the levalbuterol liquid for nebulizer might be a better option.
However, untreated asthma may lead to pregnancy complications, includingpreeclampsia.
Untreated asthma during pregnancy may also lead topremature birthand low birth weight in thenewborn baby.
Let your healthcare provider know if you’re pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant.
Other Precautions
Levalbuterol can cause irregular orrapid heartbeatand other heart problems.
double-check you tell your healthcare provider if you have a heart condition before taking levalbuterol.
They may recommend a different treatment for your asthma symptoms.
What Is Albuterol?
Like levalbuterol, albuterol is also a short-acting beta-agonist bronchodilator.
It works right away to open your airways by relaxing the muscles along your airways.
Albuterol is available in brand and generic versions.
ProAir RespiClickis a powder form of albuterol that’s inhaled by mouth using a metered dose inhaler.
Ventolin HFA is an aerosol form of albuterol that’s also inhaled by mouth through a metered dose inhaler.
Both inhalers work the same way.
With the powder form, you’re free to get a dose just by inhaling.
This makes taking it easier for young children and people with coordination problems.
The brand and generic metered dose inhalers are also approved to prevent symptoms ofbronchospasm during exercise.
Like levalbuterol, albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator that is typically used as a rescue treatment.
It’s possible to have some side effects from albuterol.
There have been some reports ofbirth defectsin babies born to people who took albuterol during pregnancy.
However, whether these effects were due to albuterol or other medications is unknown.
They can recommend safe ways to manage your asthma symptoms during pregnancy.
Albuterol can cause rapid heartbeat and other heart problems.
verify you tell your healthcare provider if you have a heart condition before taking albuterol.
They may recommend a different treatment for your asthma symptoms.
This is because some medications may negatively interact with levalbuterol or albuterol.
They may increase your risk of side effects or affect how the medications work.
Medications that may interact with levalbuterolor albuterolinclude:
Keep in mind that levalbuterol and albuterol are both short-acting beta-agonists.
You should not take these medications together.
Albuterol can also prevent bronchospasm during exercise.
Both medications work quickly to relax the muscles along your airways and make breathing easier.
Albuterol is also available in these forms as well as a tablet and syrup that you swallow by mouth.
Both medications are approved for use in adults and young children.
The side effects of levalbuterol and albuterol are similar and can include rapid heartbeat and headache.
Both medications can interact with other drugs and may worsen heart conditions.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma: symptoms.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is asthma?
DailyMed.Label: Xopenex HFA- levalbuterol tartrate aerosol, metered.
DailyMed.Label: Levalbuterol- levalbuterol hydrochloride solution.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Orange Book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.
DailyMed.Label: ProAir RespiClick- albuterol sulfate powder, metered.
DailyMed.Label: Ventolin HFA- albuterol sulfate aerosol, metered.
DailyMed.Label: Albuterol sulfate syrup.
DailyMed.Label: Albuterol sulfate HFA- albuterol sulfate aerosol, metered.
DailyMed.Label: Albuterol- albuterol sulfate tablet.
