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Xopenex vs. Albuterol
- Thread starter rcq925
- Start date
i switched to xopenex a couple of years back to see if that would help my PR. Then when I went to a large CF center they said they tend not to recommend xopenex because of the cost difference and they find albuterol tends to work better.....don't know if there are any studies. In my own experience, I found a very big difference in the way albuterol opened me up when I went back to it. My wheezing after Tobi at night stopped completely when I went back to albuterol. For me, it just worked better than xopenex and my PR was the same on both.
i switched to xopenex a couple of years back to see if that would help my PR. Then when I went to a large CF center they said they tend not to recommend xopenex because of the cost difference and they find albuterol tends to work better.....don't know if there are any studies. In my own experience, I found a very big difference in the way albuterol opened me up when I went back to it. My wheezing after Tobi at night stopped completely when I went back to albuterol. For me, it just worked better than xopenex and my PR was the same on both.
i switched to xopenex a couple of years back to see if that would help my PR. Then when I went to a large CF center they said they tend not to recommend xopenex because of the cost difference and they find albuterol tends to work better.....don't know if there are any studies. In my own experience, I found a very big difference in the way albuterol opened me up when I went back to it. My wheezing after Tobi at night stopped completely when I went back to albuterol. For me, it just worked better than xopenex and my PR was the same on both.
i switched to xopenex a couple of years back to see if that would help my PR. Then when I went to a large CF center they said they tend not to recommend xopenex because of the cost difference and they find albuterol tends to work better.....don't know if there are any studies. In my own experience, I found a very big difference in the way albuterol opened me up when I went back to it. My wheezing after Tobi at night stopped completely when I went back to albuterol. For me, it just worked better than xopenex and my PR was the same on both.
i switched to xopenex a couple of years back to see if that would help my PR. Then when I went to a large CF center they said they tend not to recommend xopenex because of the cost difference and they find albuterol tends to work better.....don't know if there are any studies. In my own experience, I found a very big difference in the way albuterol opened me up when I went back to it. My wheezing after Tobi at night stopped completely when I went back to albuterol. For me, it just worked better than xopenex and my PR was the same on both.
mommy2diego
New member
my kids use the xopenex. We do have some albuterol as well, but it does give the jitters. Think of it as unleaded and diesel gasoline. The xopenex is a little more refined and goes over smoother. If it doesn't bother your kids too bad with the jitters, save the money and go with the albuterol.
mommy2diego
New member
my kids use the xopenex. We do have some albuterol as well, but it does give the jitters. Think of it as unleaded and diesel gasoline. The xopenex is a little more refined and goes over smoother. If it doesn't bother your kids too bad with the jitters, save the money and go with the albuterol.
mommy2diego
New member
my kids use the xopenex. We do have some albuterol as well, but it does give the jitters. Think of it as unleaded and diesel gasoline. The xopenex is a little more refined and goes over smoother. If it doesn't bother your kids too bad with the jitters, save the money and go with the albuterol.
mommy2diego
New member
my kids use the xopenex. We do have some albuterol as well, but it does give the jitters. Think of it as unleaded and diesel gasoline. The xopenex is a little more refined and goes over smoother. If it doesn't bother your kids too bad with the jitters, save the money and go with the albuterol.
mommy2diego
New member
my kids use the xopenex. We do have some albuterol as well, but it does give the jitters. Think of it as unleaded and diesel gasoline. The xopenex is a little more refined and goes over smoother. If it doesn't bother your kids too bad with the jitters, save the money and go with the albuterol.
Nightwriter
New member
My doctor wanted me to switch from (both nebbed and spray) Albuterol to Xopenex and I initially resisted because Xoponex was more expensive. Eventually I did switch, and I liked that Xopenex lasted for up to 8 hours rather than the barely 4 for Albuterol. I now take Foridil that lasts for 12hrs. (may not be for kids) which is an inhaled powdered capsule. And when I'm sick (and have any bleeding) I switch to nebbed Brovana (12 hrs and not yet tested for kids).
My doctor doesn't love bronchodilators in spray form for a main bronchodilator because they contain a propellant which is not great for hypersensitive lungs. So while the drug is opening the airways, the propellant also has an asthmatic effect. This is why some people actually do worse on PFTs after taking a bronchodilator. So I only take Xopenex spray before exercise or if I'm feeling short of breath because there is no short acting bronchodilator (rescue medicine) without propellant on the market as of yet.
I did a quick google search that listed a study that showed Xopenex isn't any better than Albuterol, but I did find a 2001 study that found that Xopenex was the superior medicine and although this is an old study, you can see why many doctors believe Xopenex is better.
Excerpted from the article:
A new, large-scale study shows that levalbuterol (Xopenex), a purified form of the widely used asthma medication albuterol, is effective for children in much smaller doses with fewer side effects than the standard medication. Levalbuterol contains only the biologically active right isomer of albuterol. Albuterol's left isomer is inert, at best, and possibly harmful.
"Albuterol is the most widely prescribed asthma medication for children," said Henry Milgrom, M.D., senior faculty member at National Jewish Medical and Research Center and lead author of the paper appearing in the December 2001 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "It is valuable to have an alternative to the standard formulation, one that can be especially helpful for patients who use their rescue inhalers several times a day and for acute asthma attacks."
Most molecules have two mirror-image forms, known as isomers. Although the left and right isomers have the same chemical composition, they are arranged differently, much like a left hand and a right hand. Anyone who has put a left glove on the right hand can imagine how the two isomers of a single compound might interact differently with other molecules. As a result, they can have vastly different biological effects. Thalidomide is the most famous example; one isomer effectively treats morning sickness, while the other can cause horrible birth defects. Hundreds of medications contain both isomers, only one of which is truly therapeutic.
The standard formulation of albuterol, known as racemic albuterol, contains approximately even amounts of both the left and right isomers. It has been known for years that the right isomer generates all the medication's bronchodilatory effect. The left isomer lingers longer in the body, and animal evidence indicates that it actually increases the "twitchiness" of an asthmatic's airways. Its effect in humans, however, has been disputed. Racemic albuterol does become less effective at opening airways after frequent, repeated use. In fact, it seems to actually decrease lung function if used too often for too long.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2001/C/200113314.html
">http://www.scienceblog.com/com.../200113314.html
</a>
My doctor doesn't love bronchodilators in spray form for a main bronchodilator because they contain a propellant which is not great for hypersensitive lungs. So while the drug is opening the airways, the propellant also has an asthmatic effect. This is why some people actually do worse on PFTs after taking a bronchodilator. So I only take Xopenex spray before exercise or if I'm feeling short of breath because there is no short acting bronchodilator (rescue medicine) without propellant on the market as of yet.
I did a quick google search that listed a study that showed Xopenex isn't any better than Albuterol, but I did find a 2001 study that found that Xopenex was the superior medicine and although this is an old study, you can see why many doctors believe Xopenex is better.
Excerpted from the article:
A new, large-scale study shows that levalbuterol (Xopenex), a purified form of the widely used asthma medication albuterol, is effective for children in much smaller doses with fewer side effects than the standard medication. Levalbuterol contains only the biologically active right isomer of albuterol. Albuterol's left isomer is inert, at best, and possibly harmful.
"Albuterol is the most widely prescribed asthma medication for children," said Henry Milgrom, M.D., senior faculty member at National Jewish Medical and Research Center and lead author of the paper appearing in the December 2001 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "It is valuable to have an alternative to the standard formulation, one that can be especially helpful for patients who use their rescue inhalers several times a day and for acute asthma attacks."
Most molecules have two mirror-image forms, known as isomers. Although the left and right isomers have the same chemical composition, they are arranged differently, much like a left hand and a right hand. Anyone who has put a left glove on the right hand can imagine how the two isomers of a single compound might interact differently with other molecules. As a result, they can have vastly different biological effects. Thalidomide is the most famous example; one isomer effectively treats morning sickness, while the other can cause horrible birth defects. Hundreds of medications contain both isomers, only one of which is truly therapeutic.
The standard formulation of albuterol, known as racemic albuterol, contains approximately even amounts of both the left and right isomers. It has been known for years that the right isomer generates all the medication's bronchodilatory effect. The left isomer lingers longer in the body, and animal evidence indicates that it actually increases the "twitchiness" of an asthmatic's airways. Its effect in humans, however, has been disputed. Racemic albuterol does become less effective at opening airways after frequent, repeated use. In fact, it seems to actually decrease lung function if used too often for too long.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2001/C/200113314.html
">http://www.scienceblog.com/com.../200113314.html
</a>
Nightwriter
New member
My doctor wanted me to switch from (both nebbed and spray) Albuterol to Xopenex and I initially resisted because Xoponex was more expensive. Eventually I did switch, and I liked that Xopenex lasted for up to 8 hours rather than the barely 4 for Albuterol. I now take Foridil that lasts for 12hrs. (may not be for kids) which is an inhaled powdered capsule. And when I'm sick (and have any bleeding) I switch to nebbed Brovana (12 hrs and not yet tested for kids).
My doctor doesn't love bronchodilators in spray form for a main bronchodilator because they contain a propellant which is not great for hypersensitive lungs. So while the drug is opening the airways, the propellant also has an asthmatic effect. This is why some people actually do worse on PFTs after taking a bronchodilator. So I only take Xopenex spray before exercise or if I'm feeling short of breath because there is no short acting bronchodilator (rescue medicine) without propellant on the market as of yet.
I did a quick google search that listed a study that showed Xopenex isn't any better than Albuterol, but I did find a 2001 study that found that Xopenex was the superior medicine and although this is an old study, you can see why many doctors believe Xopenex is better.
Excerpted from the article:
A new, large-scale study shows that levalbuterol (Xopenex), a purified form of the widely used asthma medication albuterol, is effective for children in much smaller doses with fewer side effects than the standard medication. Levalbuterol contains only the biologically active right isomer of albuterol. Albuterol's left isomer is inert, at best, and possibly harmful.
"Albuterol is the most widely prescribed asthma medication for children," said Henry Milgrom, M.D., senior faculty member at National Jewish Medical and Research Center and lead author of the paper appearing in the December 2001 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "It is valuable to have an alternative to the standard formulation, one that can be especially helpful for patients who use their rescue inhalers several times a day and for acute asthma attacks."
Most molecules have two mirror-image forms, known as isomers. Although the left and right isomers have the same chemical composition, they are arranged differently, much like a left hand and a right hand. Anyone who has put a left glove on the right hand can imagine how the two isomers of a single compound might interact differently with other molecules. As a result, they can have vastly different biological effects. Thalidomide is the most famous example; one isomer effectively treats morning sickness, while the other can cause horrible birth defects. Hundreds of medications contain both isomers, only one of which is truly therapeutic.
The standard formulation of albuterol, known as racemic albuterol, contains approximately even amounts of both the left and right isomers. It has been known for years that the right isomer generates all the medication's bronchodilatory effect. The left isomer lingers longer in the body, and animal evidence indicates that it actually increases the "twitchiness" of an asthmatic's airways. Its effect in humans, however, has been disputed. Racemic albuterol does become less effective at opening airways after frequent, repeated use. In fact, it seems to actually decrease lung function if used too often for too long.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2001/C/200113314.html
">http://www.scienceblog.com/com.../200113314.html
</a>
My doctor doesn't love bronchodilators in spray form for a main bronchodilator because they contain a propellant which is not great for hypersensitive lungs. So while the drug is opening the airways, the propellant also has an asthmatic effect. This is why some people actually do worse on PFTs after taking a bronchodilator. So I only take Xopenex spray before exercise or if I'm feeling short of breath because there is no short acting bronchodilator (rescue medicine) without propellant on the market as of yet.
I did a quick google search that listed a study that showed Xopenex isn't any better than Albuterol, but I did find a 2001 study that found that Xopenex was the superior medicine and although this is an old study, you can see why many doctors believe Xopenex is better.
Excerpted from the article:
A new, large-scale study shows that levalbuterol (Xopenex), a purified form of the widely used asthma medication albuterol, is effective for children in much smaller doses with fewer side effects than the standard medication. Levalbuterol contains only the biologically active right isomer of albuterol. Albuterol's left isomer is inert, at best, and possibly harmful.
"Albuterol is the most widely prescribed asthma medication for children," said Henry Milgrom, M.D., senior faculty member at National Jewish Medical and Research Center and lead author of the paper appearing in the December 2001 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "It is valuable to have an alternative to the standard formulation, one that can be especially helpful for patients who use their rescue inhalers several times a day and for acute asthma attacks."
Most molecules have two mirror-image forms, known as isomers. Although the left and right isomers have the same chemical composition, they are arranged differently, much like a left hand and a right hand. Anyone who has put a left glove on the right hand can imagine how the two isomers of a single compound might interact differently with other molecules. As a result, they can have vastly different biological effects. Thalidomide is the most famous example; one isomer effectively treats morning sickness, while the other can cause horrible birth defects. Hundreds of medications contain both isomers, only one of which is truly therapeutic.
The standard formulation of albuterol, known as racemic albuterol, contains approximately even amounts of both the left and right isomers. It has been known for years that the right isomer generates all the medication's bronchodilatory effect. The left isomer lingers longer in the body, and animal evidence indicates that it actually increases the "twitchiness" of an asthmatic's airways. Its effect in humans, however, has been disputed. Racemic albuterol does become less effective at opening airways after frequent, repeated use. In fact, it seems to actually decrease lung function if used too often for too long.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2001/C/200113314.html
">http://www.scienceblog.com/com.../200113314.html
</a>
Nightwriter
New member
My doctor wanted me to switch from (both nebbed and spray) Albuterol to Xopenex and I initially resisted because Xoponex was more expensive. Eventually I did switch, and I liked that Xopenex lasted for up to 8 hours rather than the barely 4 for Albuterol. I now take Foridil that lasts for 12hrs. (may not be for kids) which is an inhaled powdered capsule. And when I'm sick (and have any bleeding) I switch to nebbed Brovana (12 hrs and not yet tested for kids).
My doctor doesn't love bronchodilators in spray form for a main bronchodilator because they contain a propellant which is not great for hypersensitive lungs. So while the drug is opening the airways, the propellant also has an asthmatic effect. This is why some people actually do worse on PFTs after taking a bronchodilator. So I only take Xopenex spray before exercise or if I'm feeling short of breath because there is no short acting bronchodilator (rescue medicine) without propellant on the market as of yet.
I did a quick google search that listed a study that showed Xopenex isn't any better than Albuterol, but I did find a 2001 study that found that Xopenex was the superior medicine and although this is an old study, you can see why many doctors believe Xopenex is better.
Excerpted from the article:
A new, large-scale study shows that levalbuterol (Xopenex), a purified form of the widely used asthma medication albuterol, is effective for children in much smaller doses with fewer side effects than the standard medication. Levalbuterol contains only the biologically active right isomer of albuterol. Albuterol's left isomer is inert, at best, and possibly harmful.
"Albuterol is the most widely prescribed asthma medication for children," said Henry Milgrom, M.D., senior faculty member at National Jewish Medical and Research Center and lead author of the paper appearing in the December 2001 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "It is valuable to have an alternative to the standard formulation, one that can be especially helpful for patients who use their rescue inhalers several times a day and for acute asthma attacks."
Most molecules have two mirror-image forms, known as isomers. Although the left and right isomers have the same chemical composition, they are arranged differently, much like a left hand and a right hand. Anyone who has put a left glove on the right hand can imagine how the two isomers of a single compound might interact differently with other molecules. As a result, they can have vastly different biological effects. Thalidomide is the most famous example; one isomer effectively treats morning sickness, while the other can cause horrible birth defects. Hundreds of medications contain both isomers, only one of which is truly therapeutic.
The standard formulation of albuterol, known as racemic albuterol, contains approximately even amounts of both the left and right isomers. It has been known for years that the right isomer generates all the medication's bronchodilatory effect. The left isomer lingers longer in the body, and animal evidence indicates that it actually increases the "twitchiness" of an asthmatic's airways. Its effect in humans, however, has been disputed. Racemic albuterol does become less effective at opening airways after frequent, repeated use. In fact, it seems to actually decrease lung function if used too often for too long.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2001/C/200113314.html
">http://www.scienceblog.com/com.../200113314.html
</a>
My doctor doesn't love bronchodilators in spray form for a main bronchodilator because they contain a propellant which is not great for hypersensitive lungs. So while the drug is opening the airways, the propellant also has an asthmatic effect. This is why some people actually do worse on PFTs after taking a bronchodilator. So I only take Xopenex spray before exercise or if I'm feeling short of breath because there is no short acting bronchodilator (rescue medicine) without propellant on the market as of yet.
I did a quick google search that listed a study that showed Xopenex isn't any better than Albuterol, but I did find a 2001 study that found that Xopenex was the superior medicine and although this is an old study, you can see why many doctors believe Xopenex is better.
Excerpted from the article:
A new, large-scale study shows that levalbuterol (Xopenex), a purified form of the widely used asthma medication albuterol, is effective for children in much smaller doses with fewer side effects than the standard medication. Levalbuterol contains only the biologically active right isomer of albuterol. Albuterol's left isomer is inert, at best, and possibly harmful.
"Albuterol is the most widely prescribed asthma medication for children," said Henry Milgrom, M.D., senior faculty member at National Jewish Medical and Research Center and lead author of the paper appearing in the December 2001 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "It is valuable to have an alternative to the standard formulation, one that can be especially helpful for patients who use their rescue inhalers several times a day and for acute asthma attacks."
Most molecules have two mirror-image forms, known as isomers. Although the left and right isomers have the same chemical composition, they are arranged differently, much like a left hand and a right hand. Anyone who has put a left glove on the right hand can imagine how the two isomers of a single compound might interact differently with other molecules. As a result, they can have vastly different biological effects. Thalidomide is the most famous example; one isomer effectively treats morning sickness, while the other can cause horrible birth defects. Hundreds of medications contain both isomers, only one of which is truly therapeutic.
The standard formulation of albuterol, known as racemic albuterol, contains approximately even amounts of both the left and right isomers. It has been known for years that the right isomer generates all the medication's bronchodilatory effect. The left isomer lingers longer in the body, and animal evidence indicates that it actually increases the "twitchiness" of an asthmatic's airways. Its effect in humans, however, has been disputed. Racemic albuterol does become less effective at opening airways after frequent, repeated use. In fact, it seems to actually decrease lung function if used too often for too long.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2001/C/200113314.html
">http://www.scienceblog.com/com.../200113314.html
</a>
Nightwriter
New member
My doctor wanted me to switch from (both nebbed and spray) Albuterol to Xopenex and I initially resisted because Xoponex was more expensive. Eventually I did switch, and I liked that Xopenex lasted for up to 8 hours rather than the barely 4 for Albuterol. I now take Foridil that lasts for 12hrs. (may not be for kids) which is an inhaled powdered capsule. And when I'm sick (and have any bleeding) I switch to nebbed Brovana (12 hrs and not yet tested for kids).
My doctor doesn't love bronchodilators in spray form for a main bronchodilator because they contain a propellant which is not great for hypersensitive lungs. So while the drug is opening the airways, the propellant also has an asthmatic effect. This is why some people actually do worse on PFTs after taking a bronchodilator. So I only take Xopenex spray before exercise or if I'm feeling short of breath because there is no short acting bronchodilator (rescue medicine) without propellant on the market as of yet.
I did a quick google search that listed a study that showed Xopenex isn't any better than Albuterol, but I did find a 2001 study that found that Xopenex was the superior medicine and although this is an old study, you can see why many doctors believe Xopenex is better.
Excerpted from the article:
A new, large-scale study shows that levalbuterol (Xopenex), a purified form of the widely used asthma medication albuterol, is effective for children in much smaller doses with fewer side effects than the standard medication. Levalbuterol contains only the biologically active right isomer of albuterol. Albuterol's left isomer is inert, at best, and possibly harmful.
"Albuterol is the most widely prescribed asthma medication for children," said Henry Milgrom, M.D., senior faculty member at National Jewish Medical and Research Center and lead author of the paper appearing in the December 2001 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "It is valuable to have an alternative to the standard formulation, one that can be especially helpful for patients who use their rescue inhalers several times a day and for acute asthma attacks."
Most molecules have two mirror-image forms, known as isomers. Although the left and right isomers have the same chemical composition, they are arranged differently, much like a left hand and a right hand. Anyone who has put a left glove on the right hand can imagine how the two isomers of a single compound might interact differently with other molecules. As a result, they can have vastly different biological effects. Thalidomide is the most famous example; one isomer effectively treats morning sickness, while the other can cause horrible birth defects. Hundreds of medications contain both isomers, only one of which is truly therapeutic.
The standard formulation of albuterol, known as racemic albuterol, contains approximately even amounts of both the left and right isomers. It has been known for years that the right isomer generates all the medication's bronchodilatory effect. The left isomer lingers longer in the body, and animal evidence indicates that it actually increases the "twitchiness" of an asthmatic's airways. Its effect in humans, however, has been disputed. Racemic albuterol does become less effective at opening airways after frequent, repeated use. In fact, it seems to actually decrease lung function if used too often for too long.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2001/C/200113314.html
">http://www.scienceblog.com/com.../200113314.html
</a>
My doctor doesn't love bronchodilators in spray form for a main bronchodilator because they contain a propellant which is not great for hypersensitive lungs. So while the drug is opening the airways, the propellant also has an asthmatic effect. This is why some people actually do worse on PFTs after taking a bronchodilator. So I only take Xopenex spray before exercise or if I'm feeling short of breath because there is no short acting bronchodilator (rescue medicine) without propellant on the market as of yet.
I did a quick google search that listed a study that showed Xopenex isn't any better than Albuterol, but I did find a 2001 study that found that Xopenex was the superior medicine and although this is an old study, you can see why many doctors believe Xopenex is better.
Excerpted from the article:
A new, large-scale study shows that levalbuterol (Xopenex), a purified form of the widely used asthma medication albuterol, is effective for children in much smaller doses with fewer side effects than the standard medication. Levalbuterol contains only the biologically active right isomer of albuterol. Albuterol's left isomer is inert, at best, and possibly harmful.
"Albuterol is the most widely prescribed asthma medication for children," said Henry Milgrom, M.D., senior faculty member at National Jewish Medical and Research Center and lead author of the paper appearing in the December 2001 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "It is valuable to have an alternative to the standard formulation, one that can be especially helpful for patients who use their rescue inhalers several times a day and for acute asthma attacks."
Most molecules have two mirror-image forms, known as isomers. Although the left and right isomers have the same chemical composition, they are arranged differently, much like a left hand and a right hand. Anyone who has put a left glove on the right hand can imagine how the two isomers of a single compound might interact differently with other molecules. As a result, they can have vastly different biological effects. Thalidomide is the most famous example; one isomer effectively treats morning sickness, while the other can cause horrible birth defects. Hundreds of medications contain both isomers, only one of which is truly therapeutic.
The standard formulation of albuterol, known as racemic albuterol, contains approximately even amounts of both the left and right isomers. It has been known for years that the right isomer generates all the medication's bronchodilatory effect. The left isomer lingers longer in the body, and animal evidence indicates that it actually increases the "twitchiness" of an asthmatic's airways. Its effect in humans, however, has been disputed. Racemic albuterol does become less effective at opening airways after frequent, repeated use. In fact, it seems to actually decrease lung function if used too often for too long.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2001/C/200113314.html
">http://www.scienceblog.com/com.../200113314.html
</a>
Nightwriter
New member
My doctor wanted me to switch from (both nebbed and spray) Albuterol to Xopenex and I initially resisted because Xoponex was more expensive. Eventually I did switch, and I liked that Xopenex lasted for up to 8 hours rather than the barely 4 for Albuterol. I now take Foridil that lasts for 12hrs. (may not be for kids) which is an inhaled powdered capsule. And when I'm sick (and have any bleeding) I switch to nebbed Brovana (12 hrs and not yet tested for kids).
<br />
<br />My doctor doesn't love bronchodilators in spray form for a main bronchodilator because they contain a propellant which is not great for hypersensitive lungs. So while the drug is opening the airways, the propellant also has an asthmatic effect. This is why some people actually do worse on PFTs after taking a bronchodilator. So I only take Xopenex spray before exercise or if I'm feeling short of breath because there is no short acting bronchodilator (rescue medicine) without propellant on the market as of yet.
<br />
<br />I did a quick google search that listed a study that showed Xopenex isn't any better than Albuterol, but I did find a 2001 study that found that Xopenex was the superior medicine and although this is an old study, you can see why many doctors believe Xopenex is better.
<br />
<br />Excerpted from the article:
<br />A new, large-scale study shows that levalbuterol (Xopenex), a purified form of the widely used asthma medication albuterol, is effective for children in much smaller doses with fewer side effects than the standard medication. Levalbuterol contains only the biologically active right isomer of albuterol. Albuterol's left isomer is inert, at best, and possibly harmful.
<br />
<br />"Albuterol is the most widely prescribed asthma medication for children," said Henry Milgrom, M.D., senior faculty member at National Jewish Medical and Research Center and lead author of the paper appearing in the December 2001 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "It is valuable to have an alternative to the standard formulation, one that can be especially helpful for patients who use their rescue inhalers several times a day and for acute asthma attacks."
<br />
<br />Most molecules have two mirror-image forms, known as isomers. Although the left and right isomers have the same chemical composition, they are arranged differently, much like a left hand and a right hand. Anyone who has put a left glove on the right hand can imagine how the two isomers of a single compound might interact differently with other molecules. As a result, they can have vastly different biological effects. Thalidomide is the most famous example; one isomer effectively treats morning sickness, while the other can cause horrible birth defects. Hundreds of medications contain both isomers, only one of which is truly therapeutic.
<br />
<br />The standard formulation of albuterol, known as racemic albuterol, contains approximately even amounts of both the left and right isomers. It has been known for years that the right isomer generates all the medication's bronchodilatory effect. The left isomer lingers longer in the body, and animal evidence indicates that it actually increases the "twitchiness" of an asthmatic's airways. Its effect in humans, however, has been disputed. Racemic albuterol does become less effective at opening airways after frequent, repeated use. In fact, it seems to actually decrease lung function if used too often for too long.
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<br />My doctor doesn't love bronchodilators in spray form for a main bronchodilator because they contain a propellant which is not great for hypersensitive lungs. So while the drug is opening the airways, the propellant also has an asthmatic effect. This is why some people actually do worse on PFTs after taking a bronchodilator. So I only take Xopenex spray before exercise or if I'm feeling short of breath because there is no short acting bronchodilator (rescue medicine) without propellant on the market as of yet.
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<br />I did a quick google search that listed a study that showed Xopenex isn't any better than Albuterol, but I did find a 2001 study that found that Xopenex was the superior medicine and although this is an old study, you can see why many doctors believe Xopenex is better.
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<br />Excerpted from the article:
<br />A new, large-scale study shows that levalbuterol (Xopenex), a purified form of the widely used asthma medication albuterol, is effective for children in much smaller doses with fewer side effects than the standard medication. Levalbuterol contains only the biologically active right isomer of albuterol. Albuterol's left isomer is inert, at best, and possibly harmful.
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<br />"Albuterol is the most widely prescribed asthma medication for children," said Henry Milgrom, M.D., senior faculty member at National Jewish Medical and Research Center and lead author of the paper appearing in the December 2001 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "It is valuable to have an alternative to the standard formulation, one that can be especially helpful for patients who use their rescue inhalers several times a day and for acute asthma attacks."
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<br />Most molecules have two mirror-image forms, known as isomers. Although the left and right isomers have the same chemical composition, they are arranged differently, much like a left hand and a right hand. Anyone who has put a left glove on the right hand can imagine how the two isomers of a single compound might interact differently with other molecules. As a result, they can have vastly different biological effects. Thalidomide is the most famous example; one isomer effectively treats morning sickness, while the other can cause horrible birth defects. Hundreds of medications contain both isomers, only one of which is truly therapeutic.
<br />
<br />The standard formulation of albuterol, known as racemic albuterol, contains approximately even amounts of both the left and right isomers. It has been known for years that the right isomer generates all the medication's bronchodilatory effect. The left isomer lingers longer in the body, and animal evidence indicates that it actually increases the "twitchiness" of an asthmatic's airways. Its effect in humans, however, has been disputed. Racemic albuterol does become less effective at opening airways after frequent, repeated use. In fact, it seems to actually decrease lung function if used too often for too long.
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