Levalbuterol Tartrate HFA Inhalation

LEVALBUTEROL TARTRATE HFA INHALATION- levalbuterol tartrate aerosol, metered
Bryant Ranch Prepack

The following chemical structure Levalbuterol tartrate is a relatively selective beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist [see Clinical Pharmacology (12)]. Levalbuterol tartrate has the chemical name (R)-α1-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]methyl]-4-hydroxy-1,3-benzenedimethanol L-tartrate (2:1 salt).Figure 1Figure 1imageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimage

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Bronchospasm

Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol is indicated for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in adults, adolescents, and children 4 years of age and older with reversible obstructive airway disease.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Recommended Dosages

The recommended dosage of Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol for adults and children 4 years of age and older is 2 inhalations (90 mcg of levalbuterol free base) repeated every 4 to 6 hours; in some patients, 1 inhalation (45 mcg of levalbuterol free base) every 4 hours may be sufficient. More frequent administration or a larger number of inhalations is not routinely recommended.

If a previously effective dosage regimen fails to provide the usual response, this may be a marker of destabilization of asthma and requires reevaluation of the patient and the treatment regimen, giving special consideration to the possible need for anti-inflammatory treatment, e.g., corticosteroids.

2.2 Administration Information

For oral inhalation only

  • Shake well before use.
  • Avoid spraying in the eyes.
  • Prime the inhaler before using for the first time and when the inhaler has not been used for more than 3 days by releasing 4 test sprays into the air, away from the face.
  • To maintain proper use of Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol, it is critical to wash the actuator with warm water and air-dry thoroughly at least once a week. The inhaler may cease to deliver levalbuterol tartrate if not properly cleaned and dried thoroughly. Keep the plastic actuator clean to prevent medication build-up and blockage. If the actuator becomes blocked with levalbuterol tartrate, wash the actuator to remove the blockage
  • The canister is fitted with a dose indicator, which indicates how many inhalations remain. The dose indicator display will move after every tenth actuation. When nearing the end of the usable inhalations, the color behind the number in the dose indicator window changes to red. Discard the inhaler when the dose indicator display window shows zero, corresponding to the use of 200 actuations.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Inhalation aerosol: Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol is a pressurized, metered dose aerosol.

Each Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol 15 gram canister contains 200 metered actuations (or inhalations).

Each canister is fitted with a dose indicator and is supplied with a blue plastic actuator mouthpiece and a red mouthpiece cap. After priming, each actuation of the inhaler delivers 59 mcg of levalbuterol tartrate (equivalent to 45 mcg of levalbuterol free base) from the actuator mouthpiece.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to levalbuterol, racemic albuterol, or any other component of Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol. Reactions have included urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, and oropharyngeal edema.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Paradoxical Bronchospasm

Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol can produce paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life-threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted. It should be recognized that paradoxical bronchospasm, when associated with inhaled formulations, frequently occurs with the first use of a new canister.

5.2 Deterioration of Asthma

Asthma may deteriorate acutely over a period of hours or chronically over several days or longer. If the patient needs more doses of Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol than usual, this may be a marker of destabilization of asthma and requires reevaluation of the patient and treatment regimen, giving special consideration to the possible need for anti-inflammatory treatment, e.g., corticosteroids.

5.3 Use of Anti-Inflammatory Agents

The use of a beta-adrenergic agonist alone may not be adequate to control asthma in many patients. Early consideration should be given to adding anti-inflammatory agents, e.g., corticosteroids, to the therapeutic regimen.

5.4 Cardiovascular Effects

Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol, like other beta-adrenergic agonists, can produce clinically significant cardiovascular effects in some patients, as measured by heart rate, blood pressure, and symptoms. Although such effects are uncommon after administration of Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol at recommended doses, if they occur, the drug may need to be discontinued. In addition, beta-agonists have been reported to produce electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, such as flattening of the T-wave, prolongation of the QTc interval, and ST segment depression. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown. Therefore, Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol, like all sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension.

5.5 Do Not Exceed Recommended Dose

Fatalities have been reported in association with excessive use of inhaled sympathomimetic drugs in patients with asthma. The exact cause of death is unknown, but cardiac arrest following an unexpected development of a severe acute asthmatic crisis and subsequent hypoxia is suspected.

5.6 Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions

Immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur after administration of racemic albuterol, as demonstrated by rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, and oropharyngeal edema. The potential for hypersensitivity must be considered in the clinical evaluation of patients who experience immediate hypersensitivity reactions while receiving Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol.

5.7 Coexisting Conditions

Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol, like all sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias; in patients with convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes mellitus; and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines. Clinically significant changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure have been seen in individual patients and could be expected to occur in some patients after the use of any beta-adrenergic bronchodilator.

Large doses of intravenous racemic albuterol have been reported to aggravate preexisting diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis.

5.8 Hypokalemia

As with other beta-adrenergic agonist medications, Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol may produce significant hypokalemia in some patients, possibly through intracellular shunting, which has the potential to produce adverse cardiovascular effects. The decrease is usually transient, not requiring supplementation.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

Use of Levalbuterol tartrate HFA inhalation aerosol may be associated with the following:

  • Paradoxical bronchospasm [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
  • Cardiovascular effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
  • Immediate hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]
  • Hypokalemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)]

All MedLibrary.org resources are included in as near-original form as possible, meaning that the information from the original provider has been rendered here with only typographical or stylistic modifications and not with any substantive alterations of content, meaning or intent.

This site is provided for educational and informational purposes only, in accordance with our Terms of Use, and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a medical doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner or other qualified health professional.

Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.