Xopenex

The active ingredients in Xopenex are levalbuterol tartrate for the HFA inhaler and levalbuterol hydrochloride for the nebulizer solution. Despite having slightly different active ingredients, both forms of levalbuterol are considered short-acting beta-agonists, or SABAs. SABAs are bronchodilators that help to relax the muscles in your lungs, open up your airways, and make it easier for you to breathe.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Xopenex. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Xopenex:

• First, open the foil pouch and remove one vial. All remaining vials should be kept in the foil pouch until you are ready to use them in your next dosage.
• Remove the cap from the vial by twisting the top, and then squeezing the solution into the nebulizer reservoir.
• Next, connect the nebulizer reservoir to the mouthpiece or the facemask, and then connect the nebulizer to the compressor.
• Sit in an upright position where you are comfortable, and place the mouthpiece to your mouth or put on the facemask depending on the materials your doctor or pharmacist has given you.
• Turn on the compressor.
• Breathe evenly, calmly, and deeply until the mist has stopped forming in the nebulizer. Most typically, this will take anywhere between five to fifteen minutes.
• Read the nebulizer information and ensure that you clean your materials as frequently as they recommend.
• For the HFA inhaler, it should be at room temperature before you use it.
• You will need to prime your inhaler if you are using it for the first time or if you haven’t used it for 3 days in a row.
• Check the instructions for use to see how to prime your inhaler.
• To use your inhaler, take the cap off the mouthpiece of the actuator.
• Shake your inhaler well for at least 5 seconds before each use. Hold the inhaler upright with the mouthpiece pointing towards you. Breathe out through your mouth and push out as much air from your lungs as you can.
• Put the inhaler in your mouth and close your lips around it.
• Breathe deeply and slowly and press down on the actuator.
• When you have finished breathing in, remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Close your mouth, hold your breath for 10 seconds, and breathe out gently.
• Wait one minute and repeat these steps if you have to take a second dose.

The most common side effects of Xopenex seen in clinical trials as compared to placebo include:

• Viral infection
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Dizziness
• Tremor
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Dry mouth

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Xopenex. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Life-threatening allergic reactions. Symptoms could include:
• Hives
• Skin rash
• Swelling of your lips, face, tongue or throat
• Shortness of breath
• Worsening asthma symptoms
• This is rare but is known as a paradoxical bronchospasm, which can lead to cough, wheezing, trouble breathing, and chest discomfort.
• Low potassium levels
• Xopenex has the chance of causing potassium levels in your blood to drop too low. This is more likely to happen if you are prescribed to take it with diuretics.
• Symptoms of low potassium levels include:
• Racing heart
• Weakness
• Muscle spasms or muscle cramps
• “Pins and needles” in the feet or hands
• Tiredness
• Heart problems
• Xopenex has the chance to increase your blood pressure, causing high blood pressure.
• Xopenex can also increase your heart rate or create an irregular heartbeat.
• This side effect is less likely to happen if you take the recommended and prescribed dose given to you by your medical professional.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Xopenex. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Xopenex, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• Heart disease or other heart problems
• This includes heart failure, high blood pressure, fast heart rate, or an irregular heart rhythm.
• Seizures
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Overactive thyroid

Xopenex is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to levalbuterol or albuterol.

Xopenex typically begins to work within 5 to 10 minutes after inhalation. The peak effect is usually reached within 30 to 60 minutes, and the duration of relief can last 4 to 6 hours.

When Xopenex is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Short-acting asthma medications such as albuterol or epinephrine.
• These can increase your risk of heart-related side effects.
• Diuretics.
• Taking diuretics, especially non-potassium-sparing ones, may trigger low potassium levels while taking Xopenex.
• Digoxin.
• Using Xopenex with digoxin has the chance to decrease the level of digoxin in your body, which will make digoxin less effective in treating your condition.
• Beta-blockers.
• Taking beta-blockers with Xopenex can decrease its effectiveness in treating your breathing problems.
• Specific antidepressants including tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
• Speak to your healthcare professional openly about any antidepressants that you take. If you have taken any antidepressants within two weeks of using Xopenex, there will be an increased risk of heart-related side effects.

Xopenex can be found as a liquid inhalation that you take using a nebulizer. It can also come as an aerosol that is inhaled into your lungs through a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), which can be found under the brand name Xopenex HFA.

Each inhalation, also known as an actuation, from the inhaler delivers 59 mcg of Xopenex HFA, which carries 45 mcg of levalbuterol. Sometimes, this is referred to as a rescue inhaler or quick relief. It comes as a 15 g pressurized canister containing 200 actuations.

Xopenex should be stored at room temperature, which is considered between 20° and 25°C (68° and 77°F). The canister should be stored with the actuator mouthpiece down.

Xopenex is manufactured by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Yes, there are generics available for the nebulizer and HFA inhaler.

To stop taking Xopenex, consult your doctor to ensure it's safe and appropriate. They may adjust your treatment plan or taper your usage to avoid worsening symptoms.

Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you. According to the Prescribing Information, there currently isn’t enough information to conclude how Xopenex affects pregnant women.

Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you. According to the Prescribing Information, there currently isn’t enough information to make a conclusion about how Xopenex affects breastfeeding women or the feeding infant.