Atrovent vs. Xopenex

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide HFA) and Xopenex (levalbuterol HCl) are bronchodilators used for maintenance and treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Xopenex is also used to treat asthma.

Side effects of Atrovent HFA and Xopenex that are similar include headache, dry mouth and throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, nausea, upset stomach, and dizziness.

Side effects of Atrovent HFA that are different from Xopenex include hoarseness, sinus pain, constipation, back pain, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, and blurred vision.

Side effects of Xopenex that are different from Atrovent HFA include nervousness, anxiety, shaking (tremors), trouble sleeping (insomnia), vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and sore throat.

Both Atrovent HFA and Xopenex may interact with other bronchodilators.

Atrovent HFA may also interact with bladder or urinary medicines, cold or allergy medicines that contain an antihistamine, medications for Parkinson's disease, and medications to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Xopenex may also interact with beta-blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), diuretics (water pills), digoxin, caffeine, diet pills, or decongestants.

Common side effects of Atrovent include:

• headache
• dry mouth
• hoarseness
• cough
• stuffy nose
• sinus pain
• nausea
• upset stomach
• constipation
• back pain
• fever
• chills
• body aches
• flu symptoms
• blurred vision, and
• dizziness

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Atrovent HFA including bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing), eye pain, seeing halos around lights, pain or burning when you urinate, urinating less than usual or not at all, or worsening of your symptoms.

Common side effects of Xopenex include:

• headache,
• nervousness,
• anxiety,
• shaking (tremors),
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• dry mouth and throat,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach upset,
• diarrhea,
• muscle pain,
• cough,
• sore throat, or
• runny or stuffy nose.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Xopenex including:

• fast or pounding heartbeat.

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide HFA) is an anticholinergic bronchodilator, packaged in an inhaler, used for maintenance and treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Atrovent HFA is available as a generic termed ipratropium bromide.

Xopenex (levalbuterol HCl) is a bronchodilator used to treat reversible obstructive airway conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Xopenex is available in generic form in some strengths.

Atrovent HFA may interact with other bronchodilators. Atrovent HFA may also interact with bladder or urinary medicines, cold or allergy medicines that contain an antihistamine, medications for Parkinson's disease, or medications to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Xopenex may interact with beta-blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), diuretics (water pills), digoxin, other inhaled bronchodilators, caffeine, diet pills, or decongestants. Xopenex should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The usual starting dose of ATROVENT HFA is two inhalations four times a day. Patients may take additional inhalations as required; however, the total number of inhalations should not exceed 12 in 24 hours.

The recommended dosage of Xopenex Inhalation Solution for patients 6-11 years old is 0.31 mg administered three times a day, by nebulization. Routine dosing should not exceed 0.63 mg three times a day. The recommended starting dosage of Xopenex for patients 12 years of age and older is 0.63 mg administered three times a day, every 6 to 8 hours, by nebulization.