Key takeaways
Levalbuterol (Xopenex) and beclomethasone (Qvar RediHaler) are both inhaled medications used to manage asthma, but they work in different ways and are used for different purposes. Levalbuterol is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) that quickly relaxes the muscles in your lungs to relieve sudden wheezing or shortness of breath. It is typically used three times a day and is available as a lower-cost generic. On the other hand, beclomethasone is a long-acting inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) that helps control asthma by reducing inflammation in your lungs. It is used twice a day and is not available as a generic. Unlike levalbuterol, beclomethasone should not be used to treat sudden asthma symptoms and requires regular daily use to be effective. Additionally, beclomethasone can cause fungal infections in the mouth if you don't rinse your mouth after use, while levalbuterol can cause side effects like headache and runny nose.
