Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 25, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Xopenex
- Xopenex HFA
- Xopenex Pediatric
Available Dosage Forms:
- Aerosol Powder
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Bronchodilator
Pharmacologic Class: Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonist
Uses for levalbuterol
Levalbuterol is used to prevent or treat bronchospasm in patients with asthma and other lung diseases.
Levalbuterol belongs to the family of medicines known as adrenergic bronchodilators. Adrenergic bronchodilators are medicines that are breathed in through the mouth to open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) in the lungs. They relieve cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.
Levalbuterol is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using levalbuterol
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For levalbuterol, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to levalbuterol or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of levalbuterol solution and solution concentrate in children younger than 6 years of age, and levalbuterol aerosol in children younger than 4 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established in these age groups.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of levalbuterol in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving levalbuterol.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using thi...
