Types of Asthma Inhalers and How to Choose the Best One for You
If you have asthma, you probably use an inhaler — and you may need more than one. Learn the different types of asthma inhalers and which one you need.
levalbuterol
Used for Asthma, COPD
Used for Asthma, COPD
Levalbuterol (brand name Xopenex HFA) is a prescription rescue inhaler used to treat or prevent sudden wheezing or shortness of breath from breathing problems like asthma. It's approved for adults and children 4 years and older. You use it by inhaling 1 to 2 puffs by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Common side effects include sore throat, dizziness, and a stuffy or runny nose.
What is Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA)?
What is Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) used for?
- Treat or prevent tightening of airways in adults and children 4 years and older with certain breathing problems, such as asthma
How Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) works
Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA). It's a rescue inhaler that works quickly to relax the muscles around your airways. This helps open your lungs and makes it easier for you to breathe.
When does Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Xopenex HFA |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | SABA |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) essentials
Side effects of Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
People 12 years and older:
- Asthma (9%)
- Sore throat (8%)
- Stuffy or runny nose (7%)
- Pain (4%)
- Dizziness (3%)
Children 4 to 11 years old:
- Vomiting (11%)
- Accidental injury (9%)
- Sore throat (7%)
- Bronchitis (3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Nervousness
- Tremor
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Hoarseness
Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Sudden narrowing of the airways: worsening trouble breathing, coughing, wheezing
- Heart problems: faster heart rate, dizziness, chest pain
- Serious allergic reaction: skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of your face or tongue, difficulty breathing, chest pain
When do Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Tremors
Dizziness
Sore throat
The following Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Fast heartbeat
Incidence not known
Confusion
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty swallowing
drowsiness
extra heartbeat
fainting
fast, pounding, slow, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
hives, welts, itching, or rash
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
noisy breathing
rapid, deep breathing
redness of the skin
restlessness
stomach cramps
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
dizziness
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
impaired consciousness
irregular or fast heartbeat
lightheadedness
nervousness
seizures
sweating
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Accidental injury (in children 4 to 11 years of age)
body aches or pain
chills
congestion
dryness or soreness of the throat
general aches and pains
headache
hoarseness
increased cough
leg cramps
loss of appetite
migraines or other headaches
muscle tightness
nervousness
runny or stuffy nose
Less common
Abnormal growth filled with fluid or semisolid material
blemishes on the skin
blood in the urine
bloody nose
burning, dry, or itching eyes
burning or stinging of the skin
cough producing mucus
cramps
difficulty having a bowel movement
discharge from the eye
dry mouth or throat
ear pain
excessive tearing
eye itch
night sweats
numbness or decreased sensitivity of the hand
painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
stomach pain
tingling sensation in the arms or legs
vaginal yeast infection
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$129.15
GoodRx discount
$24.25
Pros and cons of Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA)
Pros
- Works within minutes to help you breathe easier
- Only used as needed
- Safe for children as young as 4 years old
Cons
- Not a long-term asthma control medications
- Can cause side effects like tremor or fast heart rate
- Some people might find the inhaler difficult to use
Pharmacist tips for Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA)
- Keep levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) with you at all times. It's a rescue inhaler for sudden shortness of breath if needed.
- Check the dose counter on your levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) inhaler. Refill it when the number turns red and shows 20 puffs left. Throw it away when the counter reads “0,” even if it still feels like there's medication inside.
- Get medical help if your breathing doesn't improve or gets worse after using levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA). Tell your prescriber if you need to use it more often than usual. This could mean your treatment plan needs to change.
- Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) can cause side effects like a fast heartbeat, chest pain, shaking, or feeling nervous. Tell your prescriber if these bother you or do not go away.
- Ask your prescriber or pharmacist before starting new medications while using levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA). It can interact with other medications, such as beta blockers, certain antidepressants, and digoxin. These interactions can affect how your medications work or raise your risk of side effects.
- If you have trouble using levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA), ask about using a spacer. A spacer attaches to your inhaler and makes it easier to breathe in the medication.
How to use levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA):
- Carefully read the instructions on how to use your inhaler and ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Priming the inhaler: If your levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) inhaler is new or hasn't been used in more than 3 days, you need to prime it. Shake it well, point it away from your face, and spray it 4 times.
- Taking a dose: Before each dose, shake it for about 5 seconds. Seal your lips around the mouthpiece, breathe in slowly and deeply, and press the canister. Hold your breath for up to 10 seconds if you can.
- If you need more than one puff of levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA), wait at least 1 minute between puffs.
- After use: Clean the mouthpiece at least once a week. To do so, remove the cap and canister and set them aside. Then rinse the mouthpiece with warm water for 30 seconds, and let it air dry completely before putting it back together.
More on Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) tips
Risks and warnings for Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA)
Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Sudden narrowing of the airways
- Risk factor: First use of a new canister
Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) can sometimes cause a sudden tightening of the airways called paradoxical bronchospasm, meaning your breathing might get worse instead of better. This can be life-threatening and often happens the first time you use a new inhaler canister. If you notice more wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath after using it, stop the medication right away and contact your prescriber.
Worsening asthma
If you're still having symptoms after using levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA), or if you need to use it more often than usual, your asthma could be getting worse. Talk to your prescriber as soon as possible so they can check your condition and adjust your treatment if needed.
Heart problems
- Risk factors: History of heart problems | High blood pressure | Using more levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) than recommended
Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) can affect your heart. It might cause a faster heartbeat, higher blood pressure, or changes in heart rhythm. Tell your prescriber if you notice these symptoms since they might tell you to stop using it.
Don't use levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) more often than recommended since this can raise your risk of heart problems. Talk to your prescriber before starting this medication if you have heart disease or high blood pressure.
Serious allergic reaction
- Risk factors: History of allergy to albuterol
In rare cases, levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) can cause a serious allergic reaction. Don't use this medication if you're allergic to albuterol since this could increase your risk of a reaction. Get medical help right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of your face or tongue, trouble breathing, or chest pain.
Worsening of certain health conditions
- Risk factors: Using too much levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) | High thyroid hormone | History of seizures | Diabetes
Speak to your prescriber before using levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) if you have health conditions like seizures, high thyroid hormone, or diabetes. This inhaler can sometimes make these conditions worse or lead to serious side effects. Be sure to share your full medical history with your prescriber before starting this medication.
Low potassium levels
- Risk factor: Taking medications that can lower potassium levels
Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) can sometimes cause low potassium levels, though this is usually temporary and doesn’t need treatment. But in some cases, low potassium can affect your heart. Let your care team know if you have muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or an irregular heartbeat — these could be signs of low potassium.
Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) dosage
The average cost for 1 inhaler of 15g of 45mcg of Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) is $55.25 with a free GoodRx coupon.
Typical dosage for Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA)
Each inhalation delivers 45 mcg of levalbuterol into the lungs.
The typical dose is 1 to 2 inhalations through the mouth every 4 to 6 hours.
Interactions between Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) and other drugs
Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
More on Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acebutolol
- Albuterol
- Amineptine
- Amitriptyline
- Amitriptylinoxide
- Amoxapine
- Arotinolol
- Atenolol
- Befunolol
- Betaxolol
- Bevantolol
- Bisoprolol
- Bopindolol
- Bucindolol
- Bupranolol
- Butriptyline
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Clomipramine
- Desipramine
- Dibenzepin
- Dilevalol
- Dothiepin
- Doxepin
- Epinephrine
- Esmolol
- Fenoterol
- Hexoprenaline
- Imipramine
- Iprindole
- Labetalol
- Landiolol
- Levobunolol
- Lofepramine
- Melitracen
- Mepindolol
- Methacholine
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Nortriptyline
- Opipramol
- Oxprenolol
- Penbutolol
- Pindolol
- Practolol
- Propizepine
- Propranolol
- Protriptyline
- Sotalol
- Talinolol
- Tertatolol
- Tianeptine
- Timolol
- Trimipramine
- Tulobuterol
How much does Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) or albuterol
What are alternatives to Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) images
