Levosalbutamol
About
Levosalbutamol belongs to the class of 'bronchodilators' primarily used to treat bronchospasm and symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Levosalbutamol helps to relieve symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Bronchospasm is the tightening of the muscles that line the airways or bronchi in the lungs. Asthma is a breathing problem in which airways narrow, swell and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes).
Levosalbutamol contains 'Levosalbutamol,' which is also known as levalbuterol. Levosalbutamol is a bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Levosalbutamol thus makes breathing easier by widening the airways.
Your doctor will advise on how often you need to take Levosalbutamol based on your medical condition. The common side effects of Levosalbutamol include nausea, vomiting, restlessness, tremor (shakiness), headache, muscle tightness, dryness or soreness of the throat, dizziness, sleepiness, palpitations (irregular heartbeat), nasal congestion (stuffy nose), and increased heart rate. Most of these side effects of Levosalbutamol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, please seek medical help.
Try not to stop taking this medicine on your own. Brief your medical history to the doctor if you have any heart, liver, or kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), stomach ulcer, seizure (fits), high blood pressure and diabetes before taking Levosalbutamol. Please check with your doctor if you are pregnant, currently breastfeeding, or if you are taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines. Avoid driving or operating machines since Levosalbutamol may cause dizziness and drowsiness and affect your driving ability. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Levosalbutamol as it can worsen your sleepiness.
Uses of Levosalbutamol
Medicinal Benefits
Levosalbutamol contains 'Levosalbutamol,' which is also known as levalbuterol. Levosalbutamol is used to treat bronchospasm and symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Levosalbutamol makes breathing easier by widening the airways.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Levosalbutamol
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Tremor (shakiness)
- Headache
- Muscle tightness
- Dryness or soreness of the throat
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
- Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
- Increased heart rate
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you have any heart, liver or kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), stomach ulcer, seizures (fits), high blood pressure, and diabetes before taking Levosalbutamol. Levosalbutamol may cause hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood) in some patients leading to severe heart diseases, so Levosalbutamol should be cautiously administered. Levosalbutamol can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Please monitor your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes and inform your doctor so that the dose can be adjusted accordingly. Also, let your doctor know if you plan to become pregnant, are already pregnant or if you are a lactating mother before starting Levosalbutamol. Avoid driving or operating machines since Levosalbutamol may cause dizziness and drowsiness and affect your driving ability. Avoid drinking alcohol as it can worsen your sleepiness and affect your mental ability when you are being treated with Levosalbutamol.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Levosalbutamol may interact with fluid retention drugs (furosemide), heart-related drugs (digoxin), corticosteroids (fluticasone, budesonide), bronchodilators (salmeterol, vilanterol, formoterol, albuterol), and medicines that treat vomiting (ondansetron).
Drug-Food Interaction: Limit alcohol intake since it may worsen the side effects like sleepiness and shakiness.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have heart, liver, kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), stomach ulcer, seizure (fits), high blood pressure and diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid drinking alcohol while taking Levosalbutamol as it can worsen your sleepiness/dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Levosalbutamol in pregnant women is unknown. Please consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or already pregnant before starting Levosalbutamol.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is limited data on how Levosalbutamol affects breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor before starting Levosalbutamol.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate machinery if you experience drowsiness, increased/uneven heart rate and shakiness while using Levosalbutamol. This may affect your ability to drive. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist longer.
Liver
cautionLevosalbutamol should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Levosalbutamol.
Kidney
cautionLevosalbutamol should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Levosalbutamol.
Children
cautionLevosalbutamol is recommended for children only with a doctor's advice. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor depending upon the child's condition and age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.
- Avoid foods such as cabbage, beans, garlic, onions, shrimp, pickled food, dried fruits, fried foods, carbonated drinks, wine, and bottled lemon and lime juice as it may worsen asthma symptoms.
- Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to get relief from stress and reduce the risk of an asthma attack.
- Quit smoking as it may reduce the effectiveness of Levosalbutamol and irritate the lungs, worsening breathing problems.
- Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
Special Advise
- Monitor your blood glucose levels regularly since Levosalbutamol can raise blood sugar levels.
- Keep a check on your heart condition (if you are a heart disease patient) with an ECG if you notice any rapid heartbeat and blood pressure changes.
- Undergoing a blood examination for your potassium levels in the blood will help rule out the possibility of hypokalaemia.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bronchospasm: It is the tightening of the muscles that line the airways or bronchi in the lungs. Symptoms include wheezing, chest pain, tightness in the chest, and fatigue.
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough, especially at night. The symptoms of mild persistent asthma may occur more than 2 times a week and up to 4 nights in a month, whereas, in the case of severe persistent asthma, the symptoms occur several times every day and most nights. The treatment for asthma includes medication, breathing exercises, and self-care.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may also lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Levosalbutamol works by relaxing the muscles in the airways and increasing airflow to the lungs.
Levosalbutamol may cause central nervous system stimulation; hence Levosalbutamol should be used cautiously if prescribed by the doctor for use in patients with seizures as it might worsen the condition.
Levosalbutamol can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Hence monitor your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes and inform your doctor so that the dose can be adjusted accordingly. Your diabetologist may adjust your insulin dose or prescribe alternate diabetic medication based on your condition.
You may experience headache and shakiness after using Levosalbutamol. Drink plenty of water and take rest to manage your headache. Shakiness goes away gradually. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist longer.
Levosalbutamol can cause hypokalaemia in some patients leading to cardiovascular effects. Please consult your doctor before taking Levosalbutamol if you are a hypokalaemia patient or are more susceptible to it.
Bronchodilators like Levosalbutamol may cause rapid and irregular heartbeat, blood pressure changes and an electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. Please seek medical advice before using Levosalbutamol if you are heart disease patient.
Bronchodilators like Levosalbutamol should be cautiously used only under a doctor's supervision if you have any heart, liver, kidney diseases, hypokalaemia, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), stomach ulcer, seizure (fits), high blood pressure, and diabetes.
