Levosalbutamol
About Levosalbutamol
Levosalbutamol is used to treat symptoms of bronchospasm, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Levosalbutamol helps 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, heartburn, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, tremors (shakiness), headache, muscle cramps, nervousness, dizziness, sleepiness, palpitations (irregular heartbeat), and fatigue. 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.
Brief your medical history to the doctor if you have any heart, liver, or kidney diseases, hypokalaemia (low blood potassium levels), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), seizure (fits), high blood pressure and diabetes before taking Levosalbutamol. Please check with your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines. Avoid driving or operating machines since Levosalbutamol may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Levosalbutamol as it can worsen your sleepiness.
Uses of Levosalbutamol
• Relief of Asthma Symptoms: Levosalbutamol is often prescribed to ease asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. It works by relaxing the airways, making breathing more comfortable.
• Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Levosalbutamol is effective for individuals with COPD, helping to reduce breathing difficulties and improve respiratory function.
• Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction: Levosalbutamol can be used to prevent breathing issues triggered by physical activity in individuals prone to exercise-induced bronchospasm.
• Short-term Relief of Bronchospasm: Levosalbutamol offers temporary relief from bronchospasm caused by conditions like bronchitis or other respiratory disorders, promoting easier breathing.
Medicinal Benefits
Levosalbutamol contains 'Levosalbutamol,' which is also known as levalbuterol. Levosalbutamol is a bronchodilator that helps to relieve 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
- Heartburn
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Tremor (shakiness)
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
- Fatigue
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you have any heart, liver or kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypokalaemia, stomach ulcer, seizures (fits), high blood pressure, and diabetes before taking Levosalbutamol. Bronchodilators may cause hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood) in some patients leading to severe heart diseases, so Levosalbutamol should be used cautiously. 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 conceive, are already pregnant or 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. Levosalbutamol is not recommended for children below six years.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Levosalbutamol may interact with antidepressants, heart-related medicines (Digoxin), anaesthetics, water pills, anti-hypertensives, and sympathomimetic agents (Epinephrine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Limit or avoid alcohol intake since it may worsen the side effects like sleepiness and shakiness.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Levosalbutamol is to be cautiously used in heart, liver, kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), seizure (fits), high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid or limit drinking alcohol while taking Levosalbutamol as it can worsen your sleepiness and dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionLevosalbutamol is not recommended during the first or second trimester of pregnancy. Please consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or are 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 not recommended for children below six years as the safety and effectiveness are not established.
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. It reduces 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 bronchodilators 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 asthma symptoms 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 two times a week and up to 4 nights 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. 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 is used to treat symptoms of bronchospasm, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps relieve symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
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 in people with seizures as it might worsen the condition. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
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 more susceptible to it.
Bronchodilators like Levosalbutamol may cause rapid and irregular heartbeat, blood pressure changes, and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. Please seek medical advice before using Levosalbutamol if you are a heart disease patient.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Overdose of Levosalbutamol may cause tachycardia and prolongation of QTc, dry mouth, shaking, chest pain, increased heart rate, convulsions, and fainting. Seek immediate medical attention in case of an overdose.
Levosalbutamol can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Hence, monitor your blood glucose levels to see 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.
Yes, Levosalbutamol may cause headaches and shakiness after using Levosalbutamol. Drink plenty of water and rest to manage your headache. Shakiness goes away gradually. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist longer.
Levosalbutamol is a medicine used to treat wheezing and shortness of breath. You should take it when you have these symptoms or as your doctor prescribes.
You should not smoke if you have been using Levosalbutamol. Smoking may worsen asthma and other respiratory disorders, making Levosalbutamol less effective. Furthermore, smoking increases the probability of medication-related side effects.
It is important to inform your doctor about all your medications, including over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and herbal supplements. Levosalbutamol may interact with certain drugs.
The common side effects of Levosalbutamol include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, tremors (shakiness), headache, muscle cramps, nervousness, dizziness, sleepiness, palpitations (irregular heartbeat), and fatigue. 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.
Levosalbutamol is not suggested for children under the age of six because its safety and efficacy have not been established. Levosalbutamol can be used in children above the age of 6 with the supervision of a healthcare practitioner. The dosage will be modified according to the child's age and weight.
No, Levosalbutamol is not addictive.
If you miss to take Levosalbutamol, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missing dose and resume your regular routine. Do not double the dose to compensate for the missed one.
