Levalbuterol (Inhalation-Local)
Brand Names : Xopenex
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.
This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For levalbuterol, the following
should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to levalbuterol, albuterol, or other inhaled asthma medicines.
Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances,
such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Levalbuterol has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, studies in animals have shown that albuterol, a very similar medicine,
may cause birth defects or other problems. Levalbuterol has the potential
to interfere with contractions during labor. Before taking this medicine,
make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether levalbuterol passes into
breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,
many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking
this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children - This medicine has been tested in children 12 years
of age and older. In effective doses, this medicine has not been shown to
cause different side effects or problems than it does in other age groups.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same as they do in young adults. Although there is limited information
comparing the use of levalbuterol in the elderly with use in other age groups,
this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems
in older people than it does in younger adults. Your doctor may want to begin
with a lesser dose and increase the dosage as tolerated.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor and
pharmacist if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicines, including the following:
-
Aerosol bronchodilators, short-acting (albuterol [e.g., Proventil,
Ventolin], bitolterol [e.g., Tornalate], ephedrine [OTC], epinephrine [OTC,
e.g., Primatene], isoetharine [e.g., Bronkosol], isoproterenol [e.g., Isuprel],
pirbuterol [e.g., Maxair], terbutaline [e.g., Brethaire]) - Using levalbuterol
while you are using short-acting aerosol bronchodilators may cause some heart
problems
-
Beta-adrenergic blocking agents, systemic (acebutolol [e.g., Sectral],
atenolol [e.g., Tenormin], betaxolol [e.g., Kerlone], carteolol [e.g., Cartrol],
labetolol [e.g., Normodyne], metoprolol [e.g., Lopressor], nadolol [e.g.,
Corgard], oxprenolol [e.g., Trasicor], penbutolol [e.g., Levatol], pindolol
[e.g., Visken], propranolol [e.g., Inderal], sotalol [e.g., Betapace, Sotacor],
timolol [e.g., Blocadren]) - Using levalbuterol while you are using beta-adrenergic
blocking agents may block the relaxation of smooth muscle in the lungs to
ease breathing
-
Digoxin - Levalbuterol may decrease the levels of digoxin in
the blood. Blood levels of digoxin should be monitored when possible
-
Diuretics, non-potassium-sparing (bumetanide [e.g., Bumex],
ethacrynic acid [e.g., Edecrin], furosemide [e.g., Lasix], indapamide [e.g.,
Lozol], thiazide diuretics [water pills]) - Use may worsen salt imbalance
in the blood
-
Methylxanthines (caffeine, theophylline [e.g., Theo-Dur]) - Using
levalbuterol with methylxanthines may result in irregular heartbeat
-
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g.,
Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline
[e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate]) or
-
Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine
[e.g., Asendin], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Norpramin,
Pertofrane], doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline
[e.g., Aventyl, Pamelor], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [e.g.,
Surmontil]) - Taking levalbuterol while you are taking, or within 2 weeks
of taking, MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants may cause a change
in blood pressure or pulse rate
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of levalbuterol. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Heart disease (irregular heartbeat or decreased blood flow through
the heart) or
-
High blood pressure - Use of levalbuterol may worsen these conditions
-
Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) - Levalbuterol may worsen
blood glucose control
-
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
-
Seizures - Concurrent use may worsen this condition
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