Levosalbutamol: Uses, How It Works, Medicines
Levosalbutamol is a quick-acting medicine that opens the airways. It is used as a reliever inhaler to prevent or ease wheezing and breathlessness in people with reversible airway narrowing, such as asthma. It is the active half of the salbutamol molecule. It is a prescription medicine and does not treat the inflammation behind asthma.
Also known as: Levalbuterol, Levosalbutamol inhaler, R-salbutamol, Levolin, Xopenex
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
How does Levosalbutamol work?
Levosalbutamol attaches to beta-2 receptors on the muscle around the airways. The muscle relaxes and the airways widen, so air moves more easily.
How to take Levosalbutamol
Follow the label or your doctor's advice. A reliever inhaler is used only as your doctor has explained. Follow the pack leaflet and your doctor's instructions for the inhaler technique and any spacer.
Side effects of Levosalbutamol
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 (paradoxical bronchospasm). 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 levosalbutamol, 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)
- Needing the inhaler more often than usual can mean asthma is getting worse: contact your doctor
- 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: there is limited information, but poorly controlled asthma is itself risky; talk to your doctor
- Do not use it together with another reliever inhaler without your doctor's advice
Medicines and things that interact with Levosalbutamol
Levosalbutamol 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 and heart tracings may change
- 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 much 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.
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. Fixed-dose combinations of a bronchodilator with a cough suppressant or antihistamine are banned, so check the ingredient list on the pack.
Type of medicine
Levosalbutamol belongs to this type of medicine.
Medicines that contain Levosalbutamol
These medicines sold in India contain Levosalbutamol. They are listed A to Z, not ranked.
- Levolin 50 · 50 mcg per puff metered-dose inhaler
What is Levosalbutamol used for?
Medicines that contain Levosalbutamol are used for these conditions.
Other medicines of the same type
These active ingredients are of the same type as Levosalbutamol.
Common questions
What is levosalbutamol used for?
It is a reliever medicine used to prevent or ease wheezing and breathlessness caused by narrowed airways, as in asthma. A doctor decides whether it suits you and how it should be used.
What is the difference between levosalbutamol and salbutamol?
Both are quick-acting airway-opening medicines. Salbutamol contains two mirror-image forms of the molecule; levosalbutamol contains only the active one. They should not be swapped without a doctor's advice.
Is levosalbutamol a steroid?
No. It opens the airways but does not reduce inflammation. A steroid inhaler, called a preventer, does that. Many people with asthma use both. Do not stop a prescribed preventer without your doctor's advice.
What if I need my inhaler more often than usual?
Needing a reliever more often can mean your asthma is not well controlled. Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse so that treatment can be reviewed. Do not simply use more without advice, and get emergency help if breathing is very hard.
Is Levolin the same as levosalbutamol?
Levolin is a brand name for medicines containing levosalbutamol. Check the strength and form on the pack before using a different product, and ask your doctor before switching.
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)