Xopenex HFA (Levalbuterol Tartrate Inhalation Aerosol) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 21, 2012

Xopenex HFA

Asthma Complexities »

Unusual symptoms of asthma

Patients suffering from episodes of asthma do not always have the typical symptoms of asthma such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing (symptoms of airway narrowing). Instead, patients can have symptoms that may not appear to be related to asthma. These "unusual" asthma symptoms include

rapid breathing,
sighing,
fatigue and inability to exercise properly,
difficulty sleeping,
anxiety and difficulty concentrating,
chronic cough without wheezing,
protracted cough after an upper respiratory illness,
recurrent diagnosis of walking pneumonia, and
noises emanating from the chest usual during exhalation.

To complicate matters, symptoms of asthma are not consistent and often vary from time to time in an individual. In some patients, symptoms are influenced by diurnal factor...

Read the Asthma Complexities article »

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XOPENEX HFA™
(levalbuterol tartrate) Inhalation Aerosol For Oral Inhalation Only

DRUG DESCRIPTION

The active component of XOPENEX HFA (levalbuterol tartrate) Inhalation Aerosol is levalbuterol tartrate, the (R)-enantiomer of albuterol. Levalbuterol tartrate is a relatively selective beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY). Levalbuterol tartrate has the chemical name (R)-α1-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]methyl]- 4-hydroxy-1,3-benzenedimethanol L-tartrate (2:1 salt), and it has the following chemical structure:

XOPENEX HFA (levalbuterol tartrate) structural formula illustration

The molecular weight of levalbuterol tartrate is 628.71, and its empirical formula is (C₁₃H₂₁NO₃)₂ • C₄H₆O₆. It is a white to light-yellow solid, freely soluble in water and very slightly soluble in ethanol.

Levalbuterol tartrate is the generic name for (R)-albuterol tartrate in the United States. XOPENEX HFA (levalbuterol tartrate inhalation aerosol) Inhalation Aerosol is a pressurized metered-dose aerosol inhaler (MDI), which produces an aerosol for oral inhalation. It contains a suspension of micronized levalbuterol tartrate, propellant HFA-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane), Dehydrated Alcohol USP, and Oleic Acid NF.

The inhaler should be primed by releasing 4 sprays into the air, away from the face, before using it for the first time and when the inhaler has not been used for more than 3 days. After priming with 4 actuations, each actuation delivers 59 mcg of levalbuterol tartrate (equivalent to 45 mcg of levalbuterol free base) from the actuator (or mouthpiece). Each 15 g canister provides 200 actuations (or inhalations) and each 8.4 g canister provides 80 actuations (or inhalations).

This product does not contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

What are the possible side effects of levalbuterol inhalation (Xopenex, Xopenex Concentrate, Xopenex HFA)?

Stop using levalbuterol inhalation and seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
worsening of respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath, wheezing); or
chest pain or irregular heartbeats.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use levalbuterol...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Xopenex HFA »

What are the precautions when taking levalbuterol tartrate inhalation aerosol (Xopenex HFA)?

Before taking levalbuterol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol, metaproterenol, salmeterol); or to sympathomimetic drugs (e.g., epinephrine, pseudoephedrine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease (e.g., high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, coronary insufficiency), seizures, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, kidney disease, low blood potassium level (hypokalemia).

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any...

Read All Potential Precautions of Xopenex HFA »

Last reviewed on RxList: 3/6/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.