Levolin 50: Uses, How It Works, Side Effects
Also known as: Levolin, Levolin inhaler, Levolin 50 mcg inhaler, Levosalbutamol 50 mcg inhaler, Levosalbutamol inhaler
Levolin 50 is a reliever inhaler containing levosalbutamol, used to prevent or relieve wheezing and breathlessness caused by narrowed airways, as in asthma. It is a prescription medicine. It opens the airways but does not treat the swelling behind asthma, so it is not meant to be the only treatment. If you need it more often than usual, or it does not help, tell your doctor.
- Active ingredient
- Levosalbutamol 50 mcg per puff
- Type of medicine
- Bronchodilators
- Used for
- Asthma
- Starts working in
- Usually works quickly after a puff; follow your doctor's advice
- Effect lasts
- A few hours; follow your doctor's advice on how often it can be used
- With or without food
- Not applicable; it is an inhaler
- Alcohol
- No direct interaction is expected; ask your doctor
- Pregnancy
- Limited information; poorly controlled asthma is itself risky, so talk to your doctor
- Habit-forming
- No
- Made by
- VERIFY on pack
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
On this page
- What is Levolin 50 used for?
- How does Levolin 50 work?
- How to take Levolin 50
- Side effects of Levolin 50
- Who should be careful
- Medicines and things that interact with Levolin 50
- If someone takes too much
- Storage
- Regulatory status in India
- Other brands with the same medicine
- Other strengths and forms
- Common questions
What is Levolin 50 used for?
Levolin 50 is a prescription medicine. It is used, on a doctor's advice, to relieve breathing symptoms caused by narrowed airways.
- Relieving wheezing and breathlessness in asthma
- Preventing or relieving airway narrowing in other reversible airway conditions, when a doctor judges it suitable
How does Levolin 50 work?
Levosalbutamol is the active half of the salbutamol molecule. It attaches to beta-2 receptors on the muscle around the airways. The muscle relaxes and the airways widen, so air moves more easily.
What happens in your body after you take it
You breathe in the puff
The inhaler releases a measured amount of levosalbutamol as a spray, which you breathe in. Follow the pack leaflet and your doctor's instructions for the technique and any spacer.
It reaches the airways
The medicine lands on the lining of the airways in the lungs, close to the muscle that tightens during an attack.
It attaches to beta-2 receptors
Levosalbutamol attaches to beta-2 receptors on the airway muscle and switches on a relaxing signal.
The airway muscle relaxes
The airways widen, so wheeze eases and breathing becomes easier.
The effect wears off
The body clears the medicine and the effect fades after some hours. If you need it again and again, or more than usual, contact your doctor.
How to take Levolin 50
Use Levolin 50 exactly as your doctor has prescribed or as printed on the pack. Your doctor decides how many puffs and how often.
- It is a reliever, used as your doctor has explained.
- Follow the pack leaflet and your doctor's instructions for how to use the inhaler, including shaking it and using a spacer if one is advised.
- Ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse to check your inhaler technique regularly.
- Needing it more often than usual can mean asthma is getting worse: contact your doctor.
- If you also use a preventer (controller) inhaler, keep using it as prescribed. Do not stop it unless your doctor tells you to.
Side effects of Levolin 50
Most people use levosalbutamol without serious problems. Some side effects are common and short-lived, but a few need medical help.
Uncommon or mild
- Shakiness or tremor
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- A faster heartbeat or palpitations
- Sore throat or runny nose
Rare but serious: get medical help
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing (a severe allergic reaction). Get medical help immediately
- Wheeze or breathlessness getting worse straight after a puff. Stop using it and get medical help immediately
- Chest pain, or a fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat
- Muscle weakness or cramps, which can be a sign of low potassium
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before using Levolin 50, or need extra care while using it.
When the label says not to use it
- Allergy to levosalbutamol, salbutamol or any ingredient of the inhaler
- Breathing that gets worse straight after using it (stop and get medical help)
- If breathing is very difficult or the inhaler does not help, get emergency medical help immediately
- Heart disease, high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, seizures, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid
- Allergy to levosalbutamol, salbutamol or any ingredient of the inhaler
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: talk to your doctor
- Do not use it together with another reliever inhaler without your doctor's advice
- Do not use it as a replacement for a prescribed preventer inhaler
Medicines and things that interact with Levolin 50
Levolin 50 can change how other medicines work, and some medicines change its effect. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take.
- Beta blockers: they can block its effect and may cause severe wheezing
- Water tablets (diuretics): potassium may fall too low
- Digoxin: its blood level may fall
- Some antidepressants (MAO inhibitors, tricyclics): heart effects may increase
- Other reliever inhalers of the same type: using both can add to side effects
If someone takes too much
Using too many puffs can cause tremor, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain and low potassium. If someone has used much more than advised, or has chest pain or fainting, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the inhaler with you.
Storage
Store as printed on the pack, away from heat and direct sunlight, with the cap on, and out of the reach of children. Do not puncture or burn the canister. Do not use after the expiry date.
Regulatory status in India
Approved for sale in India as a prescription medicine (schedule to be confirmed from the pack). Single-ingredient levosalbutamol was not found on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Levolin 50 inhaler contains levosalbutamol only, so check the ingredient list on the pack.
Other brands with the same medicine
Levosalbutamol 50 mcg per puff inhalers are sold under other brand names and as generic medicines. They contain the same medicine; check the label for the strength. Do not switch to salbutamol or another inhaler without asking your doctor.
Other strengths and forms
Levosalbutamol is sold in other forms and strengths, and some products combine it with other medicines. The form and contents are printed on the pack and are not the same across products, so check the label of the one you have.
Common questions
Is Levolin 50 a prescription medicine?
Yes. It should be used as your doctor has advised, and not in place of other treatment your doctor has prescribed. Check the schedule wording printed on your pack.
Is Levolin a reliever or a preventer?
It is a reliever. It opens the airways but does not reduce airway swelling. Many people with asthma also use a steroid preventer. Do not stop the preventer because the reliever helps.
What is the difference between Levolin and Asthalin?
Both are reliever inhalers. Levolin contains levosalbutamol, the active half of the salbutamol molecule; Asthalin contains salbutamol. Do not swap one for the other without your doctor's advice.
What if I need Levolin more often than usual?
Needing it more often can mean asthma is not well controlled. Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse so that treatment can be reviewed, and get emergency help if breathing is very hard.
Why does Levolin make me shaky?
Tremor, a faster heartbeat and nervousness are known effects of this type of medicine and usually settle. Tell your doctor if they are troublesome, or if you have chest pain or an irregular heartbeat.
What is the difference between Levolin 50 and levosalbutamol?
Levolin is a brand name, and levosalbutamol is the medicine inside it. Check the strength and ingredient list on the pack, and ask your doctor before switching products.
Sources
- XOPENEX HFA (levalbuterol tartrate) inhalation aerosol: prescribing information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
- How and when to use salbutamol inhalers. NHS (UK)
- List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)