LEVALBUTEROL - INHALATION SOLUTION
Common Brand Name(s): Xopenex
Phonetic Pronunciation: (lev-al-BYOU-ter-ohl)
Information last revised October 2010
What does LEVALBUTEROL SOLN INHAL look like?
Xopenex 0.63 mg/3 mL Neb Solution
levalbuterol 1.25 mg/0.5 mL Neb Solution
Xopenex 1.25 mg/3 mL Neb Solution
Xopenex 0.31 mg/3 mL Neb Solution
Xopenex 1.25 mg/0.5 mL Neb Solution
Uses:
Levalbuterol is used to treat wheezing and shortness of breath that commonly occur with lung problems (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Controlling these symptoms can decrease time lost from work or school. Levalbuterol is a bronchodilator (beta-2 receptor agonist) that works by opening breathing passages to make breathing easier.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
How To Use
Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist. This product is used with special breathing equipment (nebulizer). Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist on how to inhale this medication properly with this equipment. Make sure you understand how to operate the machine and how to properly clean it to prevent infections. If a child is using this equipment, a parent or other responsible adult should supervise the child. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Do not mix this medication with other solutions or products in the nebulizer. This product does not require any mixing before use unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. This medication is inhaled into the lungs using a nebulizer, usually 3 times a day. Dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to therapy. Use this medication as directed. Do not increase your dose or use this more frequently than directed or the medication may not work as well over time, and you will be at greater risk of side effects. Do not stop using this medication without first consulting your doctor. If you take other asthma drugs by mouth or with inhaling devices, ask your doctor about how to correctly use this medication with your other asthma medicines. If you notice less effect than usual from this medication, if your symptoms get worse, or you feel you need to take any of your asthma medications more often than recommended, seek immediate medical attention.
Drug Interactions
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during, and after treatment with this medication. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: other asthma drugs (e.g., albuterol), some beta blockers (such as propranolol), digoxin, inhaled anesthetics (e.g., halothane, isoflurane), other sympathomimetic drugs (e.g., ephedrine, epinephrine), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline), certain "water pills" (diuretics that cause potassium loss such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide). This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Medical Alert
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Notes
Do not share this medication with others. Avoid allergens, irritants, smoking and other factors that make asthma worse. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, EKG) may be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. Learn to use a peak flow meter, use it daily, and promptly report worsening asthma (such as readings in the yellow/red range or increased use of quick-relief inhalers).
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: chest pain, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, headache, shaking (tremors), nervousness, weakness, severe dizziness, seizures.
Precautions
Before taking levalbuterol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol, metaproterenol, salmeterol); or to sympathomimetic drugs (e.g., epinephrine, pseudoephedrine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease (e.g., high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, coronary insufficiency), seizures, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, kidney disease, low blood potassium level (hypokalemia). This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. The elderly may be at greater risk for the effects on the heart while using this drug. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Storage
Store vials in the foil pouch at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Once the foil pouch is opened, use the vials within 2 weeks. Once vials are removed from the foil pouch, use immediately, or protect from light and use within 1 week. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Side Effects
Headache, nervousness, shaking (tremor), dizziness, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, cough, sore throat, or runny nose may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: anxiety, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, leg/muscle cramps, weakness. Seek immediate medical attention if this unlikely but serious side effect occurs: chest pain. Rarely, this medication has caused severe (rarely fatal), sudden worsening of breathing problems/asthma (paradoxical bronchospasm). If you experience sudden wheezing, seek immediate medical attention. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
The information contained in the First DataBank databases is intended to supplement the knowledge of physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals regarding drug therapy problems and patient counselling information. This information is advisory only and is not intended to replace sound clinical judgment in the delivery of healthcare services. First DataBank disclaims all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including any warranty as to the quality, accuracy, and suitability of this information for any purpose.
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