O General Information and Indications:
Levalbuterol is used to prevent or
relieve the wheezing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing caused
by asthma. Levalbuterol is in a class of medications called beta agonists.
It works by relaxing and opening air passages, making it easier to breathe.
O Information For Users:
Levalbuterol comes as a solution to inhale using a
nebulizer. It is usually used three times a day. Follow the directions on
your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any
questions. Use levalbuterol exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of
it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Levalbuterol controls asthma but does not cure it. Continue to use
levalbuterol even if you feel well. Do not stop using levalbuterol without
informing your doctor.
To use the solution for oral inhalation, follow these steps:
o Tear the serrated edge on the foil pouch to open and remove one vial. Look
at the solution in the vial to be sure it is colorless. If it is not
colorless, call your doctor or pharmacist and do not use the solution.
o Twist off the top of the vial and squeeze all of the liquid into the
reservoir of your nebulizer. Do not add any other medications to the
nebulizer because it may not be safe to mix them with levalbuterol. Use all
nebulized medications separately unless your doctor specifically tells you
to mix them.
o Connect the nebulizer reservoir to your mouthpiece or facemask.
o Connect the nebulizer to the compressor.
o Sit upright and place the mouthpiece in your mouth or put on the facemask.
o Turn on the compressor.
o Breathe calmly, deeply, and evenly until mist stops forming in the
nebulizer. This should take between 5 and 15 minutes.
o Clean the nebulizer according to the manufacturer's instructions.
O Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to levalbuterol, albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin, others), or any
other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and
nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal
products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: beta
blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor,
Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); digoxin (Digitek,
Lanoxin); diuretics ('water pills') such as bumetanide (Bumex),
chlorthalidone (Thalitone), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix),
and hydrochlorthiazide (HydroDIURIL, Microzide); epinephrine (Epipen,
Primatene Mist); medications for colds; and other inhaled medications for
asthma such as metaproterenol (Alupent) and pirbuterol (Maxair). Also Inform
your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or
have stopped taking them within the past two weeks: antidepressants (mood
elevators) such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine
(Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Asapin, Sinequan), imipramine
(Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and
trimipramine (Surmontil); and monoamine oxidase inhibitors including
phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your doctor may need to
change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side
effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding high blood pressure,
irregular heartbeat, any other type of heart disease, seizures, diabetes, or
hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland).
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking levalbuterol, call your
doctor.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Levalbuterol may cause adverse effects. Inform
your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o headache
o dizziness
o nervousness
o hand tremor, shaking hands
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o flu-like symptoms
o cough
o runny nose
o weakness
o fever
o diarrhea
o constipation
o frequent urination
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:
o chest pain
o fast or pounding heartbeat
o hives (Urticaria)
o skin rash
o itching
o increased difficulty breathing or difficulty swallowing
o hoarseness
o swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or
lower legs
o depression
o muscle pain, weakness, or cramping
o difficulty moving a part of the body
O Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
o seizures
o chest pain
o fainting
o dizziness
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o upset stomach
o fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
o nervousness
o headache
o dry mouth
o hand tremor, shaking hands
o extreme tiredness
o weakness
o difficulty falling or staying asleep
o frequent urination
o depression
o muscle weakness or cramps
o constipation
o vomiting
o difficulty moving a part of the body
O Brand Name(s):
o Xopenex®
O Other Name(s):
o Salbutamol-(R)
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