Levosalbutamol
Levosalbutamol[edit | edit source]
Levosalbutamol, also known as levalbuterol, is a medication that is used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a bronchodilator that works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing. Levosalbutamol is the R-enantiomer of salbutamol, which means it is one of two mirror-image forms of the molecule. This enantiomer is considered to be the more active form in terms of its bronchodilatory effects.
Pharmacology[edit | edit source]
Levosalbutamol acts on the beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the lungs. By stimulating these receptors, it causes the smooth muscles of the airways to relax, leading to bronchodilation. This action helps to relieve symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath in patients with obstructive airway diseases.
Administration[edit | edit source]
Levosalbutamol is commonly administered via inhalation using a nebulizer or a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). The inhalation route allows the medication to act directly on the lung tissues, providing rapid relief of symptoms. It is typically used on an as-needed basis for acute asthma attacks or as a regular treatment to prevent symptoms in chronic conditions.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
Common side effects of levosalbutamol include tremor, nervousness, and tachycardia (increased heart rate). These effects are generally mild and occur due to the stimulation of beta-2 adrenergic receptors in other parts of the body. More serious side effects are rare but can include paradoxical bronchospasm, hypokalemia, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Comparison with Salbutamol[edit | edit source]
-Salbutamol_ball-and-stick_model.png)
Levosalbutamol is the R-enantiomer of salbutamol, which is a racemic mixture containing both R- and S-enantiomers. The R-enantiomer is responsible for the bronchodilatory effects, while the S-enantiomer is thought to contribute to some of the side effects. As a result, levosalbutamol may have a more favorable side effect profile compared to racemic salbutamol, although clinical significance can vary among patients.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
