xopenex?

[tatman3177]

this is a ? because when i was researching clen it naturally led me to albuterol. so i looked at albuterol, which leads me to xopenex. this after some research is albuterol just chemically changed slightly.
By subtracting the (S)-isomer from racemic albuterol, Sepracor Inc. has discovered a new inhalation solution called Xopenex for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm.
the above is from the web page xopenex.com. does any one know if this might work as a substitute for clen?

 

[bigpoppa p]

No idea, but why bother? Clen is cheap and easily acceptable. PEACE

 

[tatman3177]

No idea, but why bother? Clen is cheap and easily acceptable. PEACE

xopenex is cheap also and if one has the way then extremly accesable. just like to know if any one knows if it could be subed.


Inhaled Beta-2 Agonists work in the lungs to open your airways. They do this by stimulating the beta-2 receptors, which causes the airways to expand allowing more air to pass through them. Inhaled beta-2 agonists are available in short-acting and long-acting formulations. Short-acting beta-2 agonists are generally required for all patients with asthma as a rescue medication. They are called rescue medications because they are used to quickly stop the symptoms of an asthma exacerbation (shortness of breath and difficulty breathing). Long-acting beta-2 agonists are part of an asthma medication group called controlling medications because patients with more moderate to severe asthma use them to prevent an asthma exacerbation from ever happening. They are usually added to an asthma patient’s therapy when the patient is still symptomatic while on an inhaled corticosteroid.

Drugs in this Class
Albuterol Inhaler (Proventil HFA, Proventil Inhaler, Ventolin Inhaler)
Albuterol Nebulizer Solution (Proventil Nebulizer Solution, Ventolin Nebules, Ventolin Nebulizer Solution)
Formoterol (Foradil)
Isoproterenol Oral Inhalation (Isuprel, Medihaler-Iso)
Levalbuterol (Xopenex)
Metaproterenol Inhalation (Alupent Inhalation)
Pirbuterol Acetate Oral Inhalation (Maxair)
Salmeterol Aerosol Inhalation (Serevent)
Salmeterol Powder Inhalation (Servent Diskus)
Terbutaline Inhaler (Brethaire)

Summarizing the Evidence

Short-Acting Inhaled Beta-2 Agonists:

* Although, several clinical trials have been conducted to study the effects of short-acting inhaled bronchodilators in asthmatic patients, no large-scale trials are available for comparing the medications in this category. It does appear however, from the studies that are available, that each short-acting beta-2 agonist produces the same response when administered in equal doses.

* Among the short-acting beta-2 agonists, albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil) has been studied the most in clinical trials. Albuterol is the most commonly prescribed short-acting inhaled beta-2 aonist.

* Studies show that albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil) is comparable in effectiveness to pirbuterol (Maxair), and levalbuterol (Xopenex).

* Since most of the drugs in this class are thought to be equally effective when used in comparable doses, really the selection of a short-acting beta-2 agonist will typically depend upon your doctor's preference, other medications you may be taking (to avoid potential drug interactions), and your prescription benefits formulary.

Long-Acting Inhaled Beta-2 Agonists:

* A few studies have been conducted that directly compare the efficacy of salmeterol (Serevent) with formoterol (Foradil) in patients with asthma. In one particular study, effectiveness of each drug was compared using peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) during the last seven (7) days of treatment. A PEFR is a breathing test commonly used to measure asthma severity and lung function. Although patients in the formoterol group experienced greater improvements in lung function and fewer daytime asthma symptoms after 4 weeks of treatment, no significant differences were seen between formoterol and salmeterol by the end of the 8 weeks. The results of the study concluded that salmeterol and formoterol are equally efficacious in terms of PEFR.

* Results from another study suggest that formoterol may have a faster onset of action demonstrated by a higher initial increase in PEFR; however, the duration of action for both salmeterol and formoterol is the same.

* Based on current information, formoterol appears to be similar in safety and effectiveness to salmeterol but more studies are needed for confirmation.

Dosing and Administration

Short-Acting Inhaled Beta-2 Agonists:

* Most short-acting Beta-2 agonists come as an aerosol to inhale by mouth. For the prevention and or treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm (asthma attacks), typically dosage is 1-2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hours for albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil) and pirbuterol (Maxair). Levalbuterol (xopenex) and metaproterenol (alupent) are typically dosed three times daily. Isoetharine and epinephrine (Adrenalin, Nephron, S2) can be dosed six times a day or more.

Long-Acting Inhaled Beta-2 Agonists:

* Salmeterol and formoterol are available as dry powder inhalers. Formoterol is formulated as a capsule, in which the contents are inhaled. Salmeterol is typically inhaled twice daily while formoterol capsule can be inhaled on a once daily basis for the maintenance treatment of asthma.

Generic Availability

Short Acting Inhaled Beta-2 Agonists:

* Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil) and metaproterenol (Alupent) are available generically. Generic medications may be a less expensive but comparably effective treatment option.

Long Acting Inhaled Beta-2 Agonists:

* Salmeterol and formoterol are not available as generic products. Generic medications may be a less expensive but comparably effective treatment option.
some more info.