Levolin general information
What is Levolin used for?
Levolin Respules are used to relieve symptoms of bronchospasm (contraction or the airways), including chest tightness, wheezing and cough caused by asthma and reversible obstructive respiratory conditions like chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Levolin Respules should be used only with a nebuliser, which creates a fine mist that can be inhaled through a face mask more easily when needed as a rescue medication in treatment of acute or severe asthma. Levolin Respules are used to help treat severe asthma, characterised by constant symptoms and frequent exacerbations, also to relieve symptoms of asthma attack. Levolin Respules also help with long-term management of chronic bronchospasm that is unresponsive to other treatments using conventional inhalers.
How does Levolin work?
Levolin Respules contain levosalbutamol, a beta 2-agonist and bronchodilator that acts directly on the small airways of the lungs (bronchioles). Levosalbutamol in Levolin binds to beta 2 receptors, which causes the smooth muscle lining the airways to relax and the airways to widen (bronchodilation). This reduces bronchospasm (contraction or the airways) and allows the airways to open making it easier to breathe, thereby relieveing symptoms of asthma, such as tightness of the chest, wheezing, cough and shortness of breath. Levosalbutamol in Levolin Respules is a rapid-acting bronchodilator but has a short duration of action, lasting 4-6 hours and is used as a reliever medication for severe asthma, delivered into the lungs as a fine mist using a nebuliser.
What does Levolin contain?
Levolin Respules comprise a plastic ampoule (respule) that contains the active ingredient levosalbutamol sulphate 1.25mg in 2.5ml (a single isomer, the R-enantiomer, unlike the racemic salbutamol), a beta 2-agonist that acts as bronchodilator to treat asthma and other respiratory conditions. Levosalbutamol sulphate is dissolved in a clear sterile, preservative-free normal saline solution. Each Levolin Respule contains a single dose of levosalbutamol.
Treating asthma attack with Levolin
Levolin Respules contain levosalbutamol, a beta 2-agonist and bronchodilator that is used to relieve symptoms of bronchospasm (contraction or the airways) that are caused by asthma and other respiratory conditions. During an acute severe asthma attack the airways contract and tighten making it difficult to breathe. Levosalbutamol in Levolin binds to beta 2 receptors in the small airways of the lungs (bronchioles), which causes the smooth muscle lining the airways to relax and the airways to widen (bronchodilation) allowing the airways to open and making it easier to breathe. Levosalbutamol in Levolin is a rapid-acting bronchodilator but has a short duration of action, lasting 4-6 hours and should be used only as a reliever medication for severe asthma and asthma attack. Levolin Respules relieve symptoms, such as tightness of the chest, wheezing, cough and shortness of breath and is delivered into the lungs as a fine mist created by a nebuliser using a face mask.
What are the side effects of Levolin?
The most commonly reported side effects when taking Levolin include: headache, tremor, tachycardia (rapid heart beat); less common side effects include, palpitations mouth and throat irritation, muscle cramp.
When should Levolin not be used?
You should not use Levolin if you:
- are allergic to levosalbutamol or any ingredients in Levolin
- are pregnant or are breastfeeding
- are taking medicines that interact with Levolin, including: beta-blockers like propranolol; digoxin for heart failure; other bronchodilators like epinephrine, the xanthines theophylline or aminophylline or other beta 2 agonists like salmeterol; corticosteroids like beclometasone and prednisolone; diuretics like furosemide
What medications interact with Levolin?
Several medications interact with Levolin and should either not be taken while you are taking Levolin or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:
- Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Levolin: other bronchodilators like epinephrine, the xanthines theophylline or aminophylline or other beta 2 agonists like salmeterol, corticosteroids like beclometasone and prednisolone, diuretics like furosemide
- Drugs that affect Levolin: beta-blockers like propranolol
- Drugs that are affected by Levolin: diuretics like furosemide, digoxin for heart failure
How should Levolin be taken?
You should take your Levolin Respules with a nebuliser as directed by your doctor and they should only be used for aspiration (breathing through the mouth), not swallowed or injected. You can use your Levolin Respules at any time of day, with or without food, up to 3 times daily (every 6-8 hours) for bronchospasm or asthma attack. You should continue to use your Levolin Respules for as long as recommended by your doctor or until your asthma attack is controlled.
How long should you take Levolin?
You should continue to use your Levolin Respules for as long as recommended by your doctor or until your asthma attack is controlled.
How should Levolin be stored?
You should store your Levolin below 25°C in a cool dry place.