Levalbuterol is a bronchodilator used to relax muscles in the airways and encourage airflow to and from the lungs. This medication is primarily prescribed to people who have been diagnosed with asthma or lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that cause obstructed airflow to the lungs.

Common symptoms of these lung conditions include:

• Coughing
  
• Wheezing
  
• Difficulty breathing
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Chest tightness
  
  

Levalbuterol helps loosen airways in the respiratory system (like the bronchi and trachea), to prevent these symptoms and relieve them if they occur.

It is important to note that levalbuterol does not cure asthma or lung disease. Instead, it is used to manage symptoms associated with these conditions.

Similar to albuterol, levalbuterol is prescribed for the management of bronchospasm symptoms in patients who have been diagnosed with lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that narrows and irritates the airways of the lungs. Affecting nearly 24 million Americans, asthma is a very common, but non-contagious respiratory disease that usually begins in childhood and continues into adulthood. Asthma may vary in severity from person to person.

Common symptoms of asthma include:

• Chest tightness
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Difficulty breathing
  
• Coughing
  
• Wheezing
  
  

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an umbrella term for several diseases that cause blockage in airways throughout the body. This leads to symptoms such as difficulty breathing. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common diseases classified under COPD.

Common symptoms of COPD include:

• Shortness of breath
  
• Difficulty breathing
  
• Coughing
  
• Wheezing
  
  

If left untreated, COPD will get worse over time.

It is important to note that levalbuterol will not cure asthma or COPD. Instead, it mitigates the symptoms listed above by opening airways to the lungs. This manages these conditions throughout the patient’s life.

Levalbuterol belongs to a classification of medication known as beta(2)-adrenergic receptor agonists that act as bronchodilators. These medications help relax the smooth muscles that surround the airways in the lungs (known as the bronchi) during bronchospasms. Bronchospasm is the medical term for the tightening and inflammation of these airways that results in the symptoms listed above.

Bronchospasms commonly occur after exercise or exposure to an irritant (such as secondhand smoke, airborne allergens, or even seasonal viruses). Bronchodilators help people mitigate and prevent the symptoms listed above by relaxing the muscles that surround the airways, which encourages airflow to and from the lungs. Levalbuterol does not cure patients of asthma or lung disease, but it can improve quality of life and prevent potentially severe breathing problems.

Levalbuterol usage has been shown to cause some mild side effects. Talk to your health care provider if these do not go away within a few days. If you begin to experience more serious effects, seek medical attention immediately.

Common side effects reported from levalbuterol use include:

• Headache
  
• Dizziness
  
• Nervousness/ anxiety
  
• Uncontrollable shaking
  
• Dry or sore throat
  
• Hoarseness
  
• Cough
  
• Heartburn
  
• Fever
  
• Muscle tightness/ muscle pain
  
  

Serious side effects include:

• Chest pain
  
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
  
• Hives
  
• Skin rash
  
• Feeling faint
  
• Lightheadedness
  
• Increased difficulty breathing
  
• Swelling
  
  

Seek medical attention right away if you begin to notice any of these symptoms. These are signs of a serious adverse reaction and medical treatment is required.

As with all prescription medication, inform your doctor of any medical conditions you are currently managing. Tell them about any and all medication, prescription drugs, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment with levalbuterol. Levalbuterol can interact with substances in the body, causing potentially serious adverse reactions.

Let your provider know if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, seizures, irregular heartbeat, diabetes or hyperthyroidism. You should also inform your provider if you have or have had heart or kidney disease.

Finally, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant before starting treatment with levalbuterol. If you become pregnant while taking levalbuterol, inform your health care provider immediately.

Levalbuterol is commonly prescribed as an aerosol inhaler, or as a liquid to be administered through a nebulizer. For most individuals using inhalers, 2 inhalations should be taken every 4-6 hours as needed for symptoms such as wheezing, cough, or mild chest tightness. This usually comes out to about 2 inhalations 4 times a day. More frequent inhalations are not recommended and might lead to adverse side effects; moreover, if you feel you need the medicine this frequently, you should seek medical care.

To prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, it is recommended that you take 2 inhalations of levalbuterol 15 minutes before exercise, or physical activity.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your health care provider. Keep all medication bottles and containers out of reach of small children, and at room temperature. Avoid exposing the medication to excess heat or moisture. Seek medical attention right away if you begin to notice chest pain, trouble breathing, or signs of an allergic reaction (hives, rash, swelling) after taking the medicine.

Do not exceed the dosage prescribed by your health care provider or discontinue the use of levalbuterol without consulting your health care provider first.

Levalbuterol is currently only available via prescription. This means that a licensed health care provider must authorize the use of this medication.

If you are looking for a prescription, doctors on Sesame can write a prescription–or refill an existing one–during a virtual or in-person visit. Note that not all drugs can be prescribed via an online video appointment. In some cases, an in-person doctor visit is required for a prescription.

Book an appointment with a provider on Sesame today to discuss whether or not levalbuterol is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Sesame cannot guarantee that you will be provided a prescription after a video or in-person appointment. Providers on Sesame are unable to prescribe controlled substances. For more information about controlled substances, check out the Drug Enforcement Agency’s scheduling guidelines here.

Good news! If deemed clinically appropriate, providers on Sesame can write a prescription for levalbuterol to be picked up near you – often within the same day! Simply talk to a clinician and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your healthcare provider.