Key takeaways
Xopenex (levalbuterol) and Singulair (montelukast) are both used to help with breathing problems, but they work in different ways and are used for different purposes. Xopenex is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) inhaled through a nebulizer to quickly relieve sudden wheezing or shortness of breath in people with asthma. It starts working within minutes and is used three times a day. On the other hand, Singulair is a leukotriene receptor antagonist taken orally to manage long-term asthma and allergies. It is not for sudden asthma attacks and is usually taken once daily, often in the evening. Both Xopenex and Singulair are available as a lower-cost generic. Xopenex can cause side effects like headache and runny nose, while Singulair might cause mental health disturbances and common cold symptoms.
