Product Details: Xopenex HFA (Levalbuterol)

Generic Options - Manufacturer: Generic

What are Generics? A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, how it is taken, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name and works the same way in the body in the same amount of time.

The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is the generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (e.g. different shape or color), as trademark laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.

Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to invent a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name drug and sell it at substantial discounts.

Description

This medicine is a sympathomimetic bronchodilator used to treat and prevent breathing problems in patients who have asthma or certain other airway diseases. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. An additional patient information leaflet is available with this medicine. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. PRIME THE INHALER before you use it for the first time. To prime it, spray 4 test sprays into the air away from your face. YOU WILL NEED TO RE-PRIME the inhaler any time it has not been used for longer than 3 days. BEFORE USING THIS MEDICINE, be sure that the canister is properly inserted into the inhaler unit. SHAKE WELL before each dose. TO USE THE INHALER, exhale slowly and completely. UNLESS YOUR DOCTOR HAS TOLD YOU OTHERWISE, position the mouthpiece between your lips and try to rest your tongue flat. Your doctor may have told you to hold the inhaler 1 or 2 inches (2 or 3 centimeters) away from the open mouth or may have instructed you to use a special spacing device. AS YOU START TO TAKE A SLOW DEEP BREATH, press the canister and mouthpiece together at exactly the same time to administer a dose of this medicine. Continue inhaling slowly and deeply and hold for 10 seconds or as long as comfortable, then exhale slowly through pursed lips or through the nose. If more than 1 inhalation is to be used, wait 1 minute, then SHAKE WELL and repeat the above process. KEEP THE SPRAY AWAY from your eyes. REPLACE THE CAP on the mouthpiece after each use. CLEAN THE PLASTIC MOUTHPIECE AND CAP as directed, at least once a week to prevent blockage. Be sure the plastic mouthpiece is completely dry before you reinsert the canister. Do NOT allow the metal canister to become wet. If you must use the inhaler before it is completely dry, shake the excess water off of the plastic mouthpiece. Insert the canister into the plastic case, shake well, and spray 2 times into the air away from yourself and others. You may then use a dose. After your dose, rewash the plastic case and air dry completely. THIS INHALER CONTAINS 200 sprays. Do not use this inhaler after 200 sprays have been used. It may not give the correct amount of medicine with each spray. Do NOT place the canister in water to try to determine how much medicine you have left. Do NOT use this medicine with any other mouthpiece. Do not use this mouthpiece with any other medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE with the mouthpiece down at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), away from heat and direct sunlight. Avoid temperatures above 120 degrees F (48 degrees C). Do not freeze. Do NOT store or use this medicine near an open flame. Do NOT puncture, break, or burn the canister even if it appears to be empty. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you are using it regularly, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT use 2 doses at once.

Cautions

NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it, to any ingredient in this product, or to albuterol. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or use this medicine more often than prescribed without checking with your doctor. The risk of severe heart problems and sometimes death may be increased with overuse of this medicine. IF YOUR USUAL DOSE does not work well or if you need to use it more often than normal, contact your doctor at once. Your asthma could be getting worse and your doctor may need to change your medicine. TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST about all of your asthma medicines and how to use them. Do NOT start, stop, or change the dose of any asthma medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including lung function tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine may cause dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. THIS MEDICINE MAY SOMETIMES CAUSE SEVERE BREATHING PROBLEMS right after you use a dose. When this problem occurs, it is often after the first use of a new canister. If this happens, seek medical care at once. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN; they may experience vomiting with use of this medicine. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while using this medicine include dizziness, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, or dry mouth or throat. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience involuntary trembling, nervousness, or trouble sleeping. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsening wheezing, coughing, or trouble breathing; sudden shortness of breath; severe headache or dizziness; swelling of your hands, legs, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness. AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THIS MEDICINE is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, hives, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or increased difficulty breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Active Ingredients

Levalbuterol