ProAir vs. Xopenex

ProAir (albuterol sulfate) and Xopenex (levalbuterol HCl) are bronchodilators used to prevent and treat wheezing and shortness of breath caused by breathing problems such as asthma.

ProAir is also used to treat breathing problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to prevent exercise-induced asthma.

Xopenex is also used to treat reversible obstructive airway conditions such as bronchitis and emphysema.

Side effects of ProAir and Xopenex that are similar include nervousness, shaking (tremor), headache, dizziness, dry mouth/throat, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, sleep problems (insomnia), runny or stuffy nose, muscle pain, and diarrhea.

Side effects of ProAir that are different from Xopenex include hoarseness.

Side effects of Xopenex that are different from ProAir include anxiety and stomach upset.

Both ProAir and Xopenex may interact with other inhaled medicines or bronchodilators, digoxin, diuretics (water pills), antidepressants, beta blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Xopenex may also interact with caffeine, diet pills, and decongestants.

Side effects of ProAir include:

• nervousness,
• shaking (tremor),
• headache,
• dizziness,
• mouth/throat dryness or irritation,
• sore throat,
• cough,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dizziness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• hoarseness,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• muscle pain, or
• diarrhea

Common side effects of Xopenex include:

• headache,
• nervousness,
• anxiety,
• shaking (tremors),
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• dry mouth and throat,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach upset,
• diarrhea,
• muscle pain,
• cough,
• sore throat, or
• runny or stuffy nose.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Xopenex including:

• fast or pounding heartbeat.

Proair is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs used to prevent and treat wheezing and shortness of breath caused by breathing problems such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Proair is also used to prevent exercise-induced asthma.

Xopenex (levalbuterol HCl) is a bronchodilator used to treat reversible obstructive airway conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Xopenex is available in generic form in some strengths.

ProAir may interact with other inhaled medicines, other asthma medicines, beta-blockers, diuretics, digoxin, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Xopenex may interact with beta-blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), diuretics (water pills), digoxin, other inhaled bronchodilators, caffeine, diet pills, or decongestants. Xopenex should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

ProAir is a dry powder inhaler supplied for 200 measured inhalation doses.

The recommended dosage of Xopenex Inhalation Solution for patients 6-11 years old is 0.31 mg administered three times a day, by nebulization. Routine dosing should not exceed 0.63 mg three times a day. The recommended starting dosage of Xopenex for patients 12 years of age and older is 0.63 mg administered three times a day, every 6 to 8 hours, by nebulization.