Xopenex (Inhalation)
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Xopenex (Inhalation)
My grandaughter is three years of age and she has been prescribed to use Xopenex for the past year. I have an x son-in-law that's been giving her a treatment every 21/2 hours rather than the 4-6 hour interval prescribed by our doctor. I need to know i...
by Harry N in Michigan USA, 01/19/2006
Xopenex (Inhalation) Drug and Prescription Information
Xopenex (Inhalation)
Xopenex (Inhalation) Medication Classification
LEVALBUTEROL (By breathing)
Xopenex (Inhalation) Brandname
Xopenex, Xopenex Pediatric
Xopenex (Inhalation) is used for the Treatment
Levalbuterol (lev-al-BYOO-ter-ol) Treats asthma and other lung problems such as chronic bronchitis.
When To Not Use Xopenex (Inhalation)
You should not use if you have had an allergic reaction to levalbuterol or albuterol (Ventolin®, Proventil®).
How Should You Use Xopenex (Inhalation)
Spray
- Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- You will use this medicine with an inhaler device called a nebulizer. The nebulizer turns the medicine into a fine mist that you breathe in through your mouth and to your lungs. Your caregiver will show you how to use your nebulizer.
- This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to use the nebulizer.
- Never share your medicine with anyone. If a dose is missed:
- If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
- Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Proper Xopenex (Inhalation) Storage
Store Xopenex (Inhalation) at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture unless otherwise stated by manufacturer's instructions or labelling. Keep Xopenex (Inhalation) and all medications out of the reach of children.
What To Avoid While Using Xopenex (Inhalation)
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using digoxin (Lanoxin®), or any blood pressure medicine or diuretics (water pills).
- Tell your doctor if you have used medicine for depression such as amitriptyline or an MAO inhibitor (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®) within the past 2 weeks.
- This medicine should not be used together with similar inhaled medicines such as metaproterenol (Alupent®), isoproterenol (Isuprel®), albuterol (Proventil®, Ventolin®), pirbuterol (Maxair®), or terbutaline (Brethaire®).
Xopenex (Inhalation) Warnings
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, heart disease, heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, or seizures.
- Your doctor may order other medicines for you to take to treat and control your asthma. Take all of your medicines as your doctor ordered.
- If you use any type of corticosteroid medicine to control your asthma, keep using it as ordered by your doctor. This includes corticosteroid medicines that are taken by mouth or inhaled (such as prednisone, Azmacort®, Deltasone®, Flovent®).
- If any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.
Xopenex (Inhalation) Side Effects
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
- Chest pain, fast heartbeat
- Fever, chills, sore throat, cough
- Lightheadedness or fainting
- Seizures
- Tremors, shaking If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
- Dry mouth
- Headache, dizziness
- Nervousness, trouble sleeping
