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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Asthma / January 2004Xopenex
Any thoughts on how Xopenex compares with Albuterol. Right now it is only available for nebulizers, but I read that it will be in a inhaler eventually. Is it worth the extra $ ? >Any thoughts on how Xopenex compares with Albuterol. Right now it is only >available for nebulizers, but I read that it will be in a inhaler eventually. > >Is it worth the extra $ ? Basically the stuff is albuterol with another tweak to make the drug more specific to the ;correct' receptor sites. IMO, it is not really worth the money unless you are bothered by albuterol side effects. But whether or not it is worth the money for yourself is really _your_ opinion, not mine. "...there is always a well-known solution to every human problem--neat, plausible, and wrong." H. L. Mencken > >Any thoughts on how Xopenex compares with Albuterol. Right now it is only > >available for nebulizers, but I read that it will be in a inhaler eventually. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > But whether or not it is worth the money for yourself is really _your_ > opinion, not mine. How much extra $ ? If you are paying out of pocket for your medications, my answer would be 'probably not worth it'. If you have a drug copay, then depending on how much extra, it probably is worth the extra $. I have been using Xopenex for the past month or so, instead of albuterol. I pay $35 for the Xopenex vs $10 for the albuterol. However, the Xopenex lasts longer for me, and does not have the side effects of either the nervousness or throat irritation. Since I use this every day, this is a meaningful benefit. If I was using this only occasionally, I think I would save the money. > "...there is always a well-known solution to every > human problem--neat, plausible, and wrong." > H. L. Mencken fyi Xopenex is levalbuterol, that is, the left handed version of the molecule. Albuterol is both the left and right handed manifestations. On 12/17/03 0:10, in article i5pvtv4qd49ee182r4obe3qmhv3qjbpul1@4ax.com, >> Any thoughts on how Xopenex compares with Albuterol. Right now it is only >> available for nebulizers, but I read that it will be in a inhaler eventually. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > more specific to the ;correct' receptor sites. IMO, it is not really > worth the money unless you are bothered by albuterol side effects. What side effects doesn't it have? >On 12/17/03 0:10, in article i5pvtv4qd49ee182r4obe3qmhv3qjbpul1@4ax.com, > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >What side effects doesn't it have? The standard albuterol side effects (such as shaking hands in some people). IIRC when albuterol is made two versions of the molecule are produced which are mirror-images of the other. The 'mirror-image' does not really do anything helpful but helps contribute to side effects. Xopenex does not contain the 'mirror image' and as a result has the same effect with fewer side effects. "It's not American foreign policy, or the plight of the Palestinians, or America's longstanding support for Israel. A group of people with money and weaponry have simply decided that we, as a civilization, are unfit to live, and want, eventally, to exterminate us." 'Christian Century' magazine > >On 12/17/03 0:10, in article i5pvtv4qd49ee182r4obe3qmhv3qjbpul1@4ax.com, > > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > people). IIRC when albuterol is made two versions of the molecule are > produced which are mirror-images of the other. yes - the R- and S- isomers (or is it enantiomers? - my organic chemistry is a but rusty). > The 'mirror-image' > does not really do anything helpful In theory it does not bind to the receptors. > but helps contribute to side > effects. Well, that is the company's story anyway. One has to wonder how it is causing epinephrine-like effects if it is not binding to epinephrine receptors. -- CBI, MD On 12/24/03 18:03, in article 6h6kuvovdkjggmghj5pd8j6netl9elab6g@4ax.com, >> What side effects doesn't it have? > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > effects. Xopenex does not contain the 'mirror image' and as a result > has the same effect with fewer side effects. Hmm, I'll have to keep track of that, I'm one of the people that gets shaky after taking it, but I can't exactly *not* take it so I don't have the problem! >Hmm, I'll have to keep track of that, I'm one of the people that gets shaky >after taking it, but I can't exactly *not* take it so I don't have the >problem! If I may offer my opinion re Xopanex - I had never had the shaky feelings, heart palps, etc., from Albuterol. I was in hospital and given Xopanex - suddenly I had problems with very, very, very and I mean "extreme" high blood pressure, the shakies, panic, all of that. Be very wary, and remember one thing, which is Medicare only pays for the highest dosage of Xopanex which is 1.25. Jessica > Be very wary, and remember one > thing, which is Medicare only pays for the highest dosage of Xopanex which is > 1.25. Nothing says you must squirt all the liquid in the machine.  SignatureCBI, MD >Nothing says you must squirt all the liquid in the machine. Oh, I know that, it is simply a matter of using what works for me, and I've been at this neb treatment business for a couple of years now. I only posted my comment to make others aware of what I have learned. Jessica |
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