Levosalbutamol

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Levosalbutamol, also known as levalbuterol, is a medicine that helps open the airways in people with asthma or other reversible lung diseases. It is the pure (R)-enantiomer of salbutamol (albuterol) and mainly targets beta-2 receptors in the lungs to relax airway muscles, making it easier to breathe. It is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people aged four and older.

Some studies show that levosalbutamol is not clearly more effective or safer than albuterol, and it is usually more expensive. Common side effects include a faster heartbeat, tremor, and stomach upset. Rare but serious side effects can include allergic reactions or paradoxical bronchospasm.

Levosalbutamol is given by inhalation, either with a nebulizer or a metered-dose inhaler. It has been approved for nebulizer use in 1999 and later as an inhaler brand called Xopenex HFA. It is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency for athletes. If you have questions about whether it’s right for you, talk to your doctor.