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Still need answers about xopenex inhaler

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Posted 9/8/2008 8:42 PM (GMT -6)
I am trying to get information about a xopenex inhaler.  I have heard they work well.  My pharmacist says it is the same as albuterol and azmacort which is what I take.  My PCP says that it makes you very jittery and thought I should stay with albuterol and azmacort.  Has anyone used a xopenex and what is your experience.  Would really like to have any answers if you have used this one. Thanks.

Aurora

Posted 9/9/2008 2:50 AM (GMT -6)
We were told the Xopenex did not cause as much side-effects as albuterol even though both medications are in the same drug class.  My Husband cannot take Albuterol because of heart rhythm issues from the drug, but has had no trouble on the Xopenex.  Azmacort is a steroid inhaler, thus is a different medication class entirely from Albuterol or Xopenex.  So you should be able to stay on the Azmacort and switch from Albuterol to Xopenex fine...but if I were you, I'd only bother switching to Xopenex if you are having side-effects from Albuterol...otherwise, why fix something that isn't broken?  Make sure to discuss this with your doctor before making any changes in your medications or doses.

Take care,

Posted 9/9/2008 6:09 PM (GMT -6)

Thanks for your reply, Razzle.  I don't get side effects from the albuterol and it does work for me with the azmacort so I guess I will just stick with what I am using.  I am hoping with a hard freeze in the fall that it will kill all the allergens in the air and maybe I will get better. It is so annoying to always have to use the inhalers and I have to drag all the equipment with me in case of an attack.  I wonder if maybe asthma gets worse when you get older.  Also, I heard on the news that this has been a bad season for allerigies, lots of ragweed and mold.  I'm just hoping for the best.

Aurora

Posted 9/13/2008 5:21 PM (GMT -6)
I just started Xoponex today, and I have not felt jittery so far. I realize it's probably too soon to tell.

Megan
Posted 9/16/2008 1:27 AM (GMT -6)

I have been using xopenex in my nebulizer since 2004.  I was switched from albuterol to xopenex in the hospital because the albuterol raised my blood pressure and increased my heart rate.  Thats the only difference I have ever seen between the two drugs.  My regular asthma doctor likes albuterol better but the pulmonologist likes xopenex so I use xopenex and atrovent in a nebulizer twice a day and an albuterol inhaler in between. 

I have had jitters for high dose albuterol, but most people don't require the level of medicine that I do.

Posted 9/17/2008 9:30 AM (GMT -6)

Hi Allura,  I read your post with interest and would like to ask you a few questions.  I use an albuterol inhaler ( the new one with HFA) and an azmacort.  I use the albuterol 4X a day, 2 puffs each time and I use a spacer as it works better this way.  It's not as good as the old one but I do get relief.  I use the azmacort 2-3 times a day up to 8 puffs but usually 4-6 puffs and that one comes with its own spacer.  I am curious, when you say you use a high does of albuterol just how high is it?  How many puffs do you take a day?  With the xopenex do you get jittery?  My dr. and my pharmacist says as long as the two I am using work not to switch to xopenex.  My dr. says xopenex makes you really jittery.  Please reply when you get a chance.  Thanks so much for your help.

Aurora

Posted 9/17/2008 10:34 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Aurora,
I use albuterol 6-8x's a day 2 puffs each time plus xopenex and atrovent solutions for the nebulizer 2x's a day plus singulair, medrol and symbicort (new to symbicort, just switched from pulmicort and serevent). I have never been jittery from xopenex but I'm using the nebulizer solution not inhaler. That may be the difference.?.
Hope that helps

Allura
Posted 9/18/2008 12:47 PM (GMT -6)
Yes Xopenex can make you jittery just not as bad as the albuterol, I use the Xopenex rescue inhaler as needed.
For me the Xopenex is a lot better than the albuterol, so I would say give it a try.
What has you worried about Xopenex? It's been used in the nebulizers for years now...
Do a google search on Xopenex to find out more about it.
Maybe with Xopenex you might not have to use it as often.

Lots of soft hugz and keep us posted as to if you try it, okay!
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