DuoNeb vs. Xopenex

• Are DuoNeb and Xopenex the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of DuoNeb?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Xopenex?
• What Is DuoNeb?
• What Is Xopenex?
• What Drugs Interact with DuoNeb?
• What Drugs Interact with Xopenex?
• How Should DuoNeb Be Taken?
• How Should Xopenex Be Taken?

DuoNeb (beclomethasone dipropionate) and Xopenex HFA (albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol) are used to treat asthma.

Xopenex HFA is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.

DuoNeb and Xopenex HFA belong to different drug classes. DuoNeb is a steroid and Xopenex HFA is a bronchodilator.

Side effects of DuoNeb and Xopenex HFA that are similar include nausea, vomiting, headache, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, mouth/throat dryness or irritation, unpleasant taste in the mouth/changes in taste, or hoarseness.

Side effects of DuoNeb that are different from Xopenex HFA include stomach upset, sinus pain, dry nose, or deepened voice.

Side effects of Xopenex HFA that are different from DuoNeb include nervousness, shaking (tremor), palpitations, dizziness, sleep problems (insomnia), muscle pain, or diarrhea.

DuoNeb may interact with other drugs.

Xopenex HFA may interact with diuretics (water pills), digoxin, beta-blockers, antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, or other bronchodilators.

Common side effects of DuoNeb include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• dry mouth,
• shaking (tremors),
• nervousness,
• constipation, or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, or sore throat.

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

• difficult or painful urination, or
• muscle cramps.

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.

DuoNeb (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) is a combination of bronchodilators used to treat and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD which includes bronchitis and emphysema).

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.

DuoNeb may interact with certain beta-blockers, such as propranolol. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Tell your doctor all the products you use, including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products.

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.

Two inhalations four times a day, not to exceed 12 inhalations in 24 hours.

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.