- Levosalbutamol
drugbox
IUPAC_name = 4- [(1"R")-2-("tert"-butylamino)-1-hydroxyethyl] - 2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoll
CAS_number = 18559-94-9
ATC_prefix = R03
ATC_suffix = AC02
ATC_supplemental = ATC|R03|CC02
PubChem = 123600
DrugBank = APRD00553
C=13 | H=21 | N=1 | O=3
molecular_weight = 239.311 g/mol
bioavailability =
protein_bound =
metabolism = Hepatic
elimination_half-life = 1.6 hours
excretion = Urinary
pregnancy_AU = A
pregnancy_US = C
pregnancy_category =
smiles = CC(C)(C)NC [C@@H] (C1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)CO)O
legal_AU =
legal_CA =
legal_UK =
legal_US = Rx-only
legal_status =
routes_of_administration = Oral, inhalational, IVLevosalbutamol (INN) or levalbuterol (USAN), trade name Xopenex, is the "R"-
enantiomer of the short-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist albuterol (salbutamol).Uses
As a
bronchodilator , it is used to treatasthma and COPD. In general, levalbuterol has similar pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties to albuterol; however, its manufacturer,Sepracor , has implied (although not directly claimed) that the presence of only the "R"-enantiomer produces fewer side effects.Physicians sometimes elect to use levalbuterol in patients with a history of
supraventricular tachycardia or otherarrhythmias because it is thought that levalbuterol may produce less direct effects on β1-adrenergic receptors in the heart.Fact|date=March 2007 For similar reasons, some pediatricians also use levalbuterol for patients who experience hyperactivity or jitteriness fromracemic albuterol.Levosalbutamol vs. albuterol
The use of levalbuterol over the more traditionally used racemic albuterol is controversial among health care professionals. That using levalbuterol instead of albuterol produces less direct effect on β1-adrenergic receptors and/or fewer cardiac side effects has been suggested, but not consistently demonstrated by long term, well-designed clinical trials.
There are differing opinions on whether there is sufficient therapeutic benefit to using levalbuterol that outweighs the 5-10 times higher price tag. [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16291438&query_hl=21&itool=pubmed_docsum Comparison of racemic albuterol and levalbuterol in the treatment of acute asthma in the ED.] ] [ [http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/full/124/3/1176 Levalbuterol is not more cost-effective than albuterol for COPD.] ] In general, it appears that if a clinician and patient feel that a low dose of racemic mixture is causing undesirable side effects, levalbuterol may be a viable alternative. [ [http://pedsinreview.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/25/3/108 Point-Counterpoint: A Comparison of Levalbuterol and Racemic Albuterol in the Treatment of Pediatric Asthma.] ]
Approval
Levalbuterol was originally available only as a solution for
nebulizer and eventually become available as a CFC-freemetered dose inhaler under the trade name "Xopenex HFA (levalbuteroltartrate ) Inhalation Aerosol". The FDA approval date was onMarch 11 ,2005 . [http://www.xopenex.com/aboutXopenex/inhaler/xopenex-mdi-FAQs.html (See Official FAQ)][
tartrate ) Inhalation Aerosolinhaler ]Additional studies
In a study conducted by Bill T. Ameredes, PhD, and colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh, that concluded that in combination corticosteroids treatments the (S)-isomer found in Albuterol had a profound nullifying effect. In the (R)- albuterol isomer it shown to enhance anti-inflammatory steroid treatment. cite journal |author=Ameredes BT, Calhoun WJ |title=Modulation of GM-CSF release by enantiomers of beta-agonists in human airway smooth muscle |journal=J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. |volume=116 |issue=1 |pages=65–72 |year=2005 |pmid=15990776 |doi=10.1016/j.jaci.2005.03.007]
In other works he considers the combination (R)(S)-Albuterol a problematic drug.cite journal |author=Ameredes BT, Calhoun WJ |title=(R)-albuterol for asthma: pro [a.k.a. (S)-albuterol for asthma: con] |journal=Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. |volume=174 |issue=9 |pages=965–9; discussion 972–4 |year=2006 |pmid=17060667 |doi=10.1164/rccm.2606001]
References
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