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What is levalbuterol inhalation?
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.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of levalbuterol inhalation?

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.

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How should I use levalbuterol inhalation?
Use levalbuterol inhalation exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. To use the solution for nebulization: Open one vial by tearing on the serrated edge along the seam of the foil pouch. Remove one unit-dose vial for immediate use. Keep the rest of the unused unit-dose vial in the foil pouch to protect them from light. Carefully twist open the top of one unit-dose vial and squeeze the entire contents into the nebulizer reservoir (drug chamber).

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What is the most important information I should know about levalbuterol inhalation?
Do not use more of this medication, or use doses more frequently, than directed by your doctor. Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than your usual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a 24-hour period. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack. It is very important that you use nebulized levalbuterol properly, so that the medicine gets into the lungs. Talk to your doctor about proper nebulizer use.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
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.

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What other drugs will affect levalbuterol inhalation?
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;

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Levalbuterol has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have demonstrated a teratogenic effect with racemic albuterol. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Levalbuterol is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.

No reports of abnormalities have been reported in women receiving levalbuterol anytime during pregnancy. Racemic albuterol has been given systemically to inhibit preterm labor. The fetus may experience the general adverse effects reported in the mother. Use of levalbuterol in pregnant women for the relief of bronchospasm may interfere with uterine contractility. Pulmonary edema has been associated with the intravenous use of racemic albuterol in pregnant women.

There are no data on the excretion of levalbuterol into human milk. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to levalbuterol or racemic albuterol or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What does my medication look like?
Levalbuterol inhalation is available with a prescription under the brand name Xopenex. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
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.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using levalbuterol inhalation?
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.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
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