Levalbuterol HFA

Levalbuterol HFA is a prescription medicine that is licensed for preventing and treating airway spasms in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It causes the muscles around the airways to relax, which allows more air to get into and through the lungs. The medication comes in a metered-dose inhaler and is either used on a regular basis to prevent asthma attacks or is used during an asthma attack. Sore throat, irritated or runny nose, pain, and dizziness are side effects that have been reported with levalbuterol HFA.

 

What Is Levalbuterol HFA?

Levalbuterol HFA (Xopenex HFA®) is a prescription medication used to treat or prevent airway spasms (called bronchospasms). Bronchospasms are most common in people with asthma but can also occur in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
 
(Click What Is Levalbuterol HFA Used For? for more information on what levalbuterol HFA is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Levalbuterol HFA?

Levalbuterol HFA is made by Sepracor Inc.
 

How Does Levalbuterol HFA Work?

Normally, air moves easily into and out of the lungs through a network of airways, but during an asthma attack, the muscles around these airways tighten. This narrows the airways and makes it harder to breathe. This is called bronchospasm.
 
Levalbuterol HFA is part of a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, or beta agonists for short. Beta agonists stimulate beta receptors in the body, including those on the muscles around airways. This stimulation causes the muscles to relax, which opens up the airways and allows more air to get into and through the lungs. Levalbuterol HFA also has some effects on decreasing the activity of mast cells in the lungs, which play an important role in inflammation and allergic reactions.
 
Levalbuterol HFA is similar to another medication called albuterol. Levalbuterol HFA contains the active form of the albuterol molecule, while albuterol products contain both the inactive and active forms of the molecule.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;