Question on new medicine-Xopenex Inhalation Solution

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Michelle Moreland Orlando - 02 Feb 2006 19:03 GMT

I am currently having a respiratory infection/sinus included and am on
Advair 250 and albuterol,Allegra and Nasal Cromyn. I am on antibiotics
and 20 mg. of Pred. and tapering off each day.

While at the Doctor's Tuesday morning, the Nurse Practioniner told me
about a new medthod of using a repiratory inhalation medicine called
Xopenex Inhalation Solution that is new that inserts into an inhaler,
instead of getting the portable inhalation theraphy powered by a
battery. I have not had to use the inhalation medicine as the above
meds have been addicate until this infection hit me in last week of
Thanksgiving and then another infection that I have now. I only rarely
have to have an office inhalation unless I am really sick and have to
go to the office.

Has anyone used this medicine? According to what I was told, you
should be able to use this as a replacement for the albuterol.

I have been doing great until I got these last two infections and am
still having some wheezing even tho on the antibiotics and pred. I am
to see the doc again in 10 days.

I don't need to have inhalation therapy only when the infection is
really bad. Incidently, my younger adult son came down with walking
pneumonia two wks before I got this infection and the weather down
here in SWCentral Texas has had no rain for months and the weather is
either in the 50's or in the 80's during the day on and off each week
and the Mt. Cedar has been high during this time.

Sorry about my long message, but would like to hear from someone who
is using this new inhaled by an inhaler solution and if I don't need
it when I am not having my use of an inhaler when I am clear and my
peaks are normal is it necessary to have to use the med?

Any comments welcomed,

Michelle in TX

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jackmallory@webtv.net - 03 Feb 2006 15:48 GMT

Michelle DO do yourself a big favor and get a nebulizer setup. Daily
inhalation therapy far far better than the puffers --- new version or
old.

Xopenex a brand name for Lev-albuterol.

Regular, lower priced generic albuterol, is composed of molecules of a
certain shape. Some of the molecules are the reverse shape of the
other. Chemists call them the left handed (levulo) or right handed
(dextro) to distinguish the one from the other.

Dextrose is right handed sugar (sucrose, fructose) Dexadrine is right
handed Benzadrine.
*******
I've used Xopenex but went back to the generic albuterol inhalation as
it didn' seem to make a difference.

Xopenex is reputed to be less likely to raise your heartrate. I did not
find that to be true for me They both keep me on the fast side.

Lev-albuterol fussier to store: room temperature only.

Glad they're putting it in a puffer (MDI) May be an improvement for
someone.

You really have to try it for yourself.

But do go for the daily home nebulizer treatments. It's probably time
for you.

Jack

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Nikki - 03 Feb 2006 19:35 GMT

This is a litte different but my six year old who has ongoing asthma/sinus
problems takes albuterol, he has been very sick over the last month, is
taking about six different meds at this time, anyway at his doctors apt to
have his lungs rechecked his cheast was very tight his doctor gave him a
treatment she said instead of albuterol she would use xopenex, (he uses it
in a neb not a puffer though) i did not see much of a difference he was
still tight after the treatment and his oxygen did not come up, which was
the same with the albuterol at home, she said however with some people it
works better, so who knows, i guess you got to try it to see if it works for
you.
Thanks Nikki

>I am currently having a respiratory infection/sinus included and am on
> Advair 250 and albuterol,Allegra and Nasal Cromyn. I am on antibiotics
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Michelle in TX

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00doc - 05 Feb 2006 19:48 GMT

>I am currently having a respiratory infection/sinus included and am on
> Advair 250 and albuterol,Allegra and Nasal Cromyn. I am on antibiotics
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> instead of getting the portable inhalation theraphy powered by a
> battery.

All biological molecules come in right and left handed versions. The body
usually just makes the left handed version but factories usually produce
both. The advertising "schtick" for Xopenex claims that it works better and
has fewer side effects because it only contains the active version. The rest
of the world has always thought the other version was inert. I've never been
convinced that Xopenex has less side effects for most people. I wouldn't
expect a better response. As Jack points out, it is much more expensive.

I would ask to see the doc in the practice instead of the NP (or for a
referral to a puilmonologist or allergist) and suggest that they cut back on
the drug lunches.

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