Xopenex

As albuterol is not going to be sold anymore soon, I was given Xopenex. Question...is this my emergency inhaler now?? Thanks:)

Thanks for the reply:) I am really terrified to change meds as the albuterol works good for me. Before I had it as a rescue inhaler I had an attack and nearly died. I was in the hospital for a week and sick at at home for a long time. I hope this works as good. My pharmacist told me stocked up on albuterol for me if it doesn't.

hi they recently changed my 6 year old over to xopenex for his emergency nebulizer treatments. And yes a new pleasant surprise no more bouncing off the walls or jitters. yeah!!

My experience with the new hfa has not been as rosy as some might say. Albuterol CFC works much better for me than the HFA type Albuterol. With HFA I have to use 3 to 4 times as much to get only half of the results that the CFC type gave. The CFC type allowed or caused the thick phlegm (part of asthma symptoms) to thin or flow which was as helpful to me as dilating the airway.

Years ago I used to do auto air-conditioning service. The CFC propellant, Refrigerant R12 in inhalers was this same refrigerant and it never aggravated my asthma. Then when the new refrigerant 134a (which is the new HFA propellant) replacement was required, I began to have severe symptoms accompanied by lots of odd tasting phlegm. For the first few weeks of using HFA products, not only Albuterol, I had the same odd tasting phlegm and a need to use inhalers more often than before.

Back to the auto air-conditioning days. When it caused asthma problems for me I did internet research on this new refrigerant 134a and found that even though it was allegedly better for the environment it was hazardous to humans. The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) sheet from the makers warned of it. This was even backed up buy some military studies. Now that information cannot be found on the web and the new refrigerant 134a MSDS states that there is no concern other than suffocation from oxygen displacement. I won’t go into any dialog on the ozone layer but, as it pertains to treating asthma symptoms, I prefer the CFCs. I still have one left for real emergencies.

I am 56 years old and was diagnosed with severe asthma five years ago.  Albuterol made me feel like I was just jumping out of my skin.  I have always used Xopenex and it works for me.  I also take an injection of Xolair every 28 days and the dreaded Prednisone when needed.

I agree with another day, try the Xopenex. It's not the same as albuterol! The Xopenex works very good for me. It's the same medication that is used in your nebulizers, so think about it.................

Sara,

Why not give Xopenex a try?  It works great for me and as you can see a few others have used it with success.

Good luck!

Carla

ceebee, I read that your pharmacist is going to sell albuterol to you when there's no more. Now nobody has more albuterol, can you tell if your pharmacist still have some to sell. I would like to buy some for myself. How are you doing with the Xopenex, are you still using it?

ceebee said...
As albuterol is not going to be sold anymore soon, I was given Xopenex. Question...is this my emergency inhaler now?? Thanks:)

One more thing for those who don't find the HFA albuterol working as well - you need to use a spacer with your inhaler.  Maybe that is why the albuterol works so well for me.  With a spacer the med gets into your lungs and does not linger on your tongue or in your throat if you don't use the inhaler correctly.  You can get a spacer at any pharmacy and your dr and pharmacist should be telling you to use a spacer.  Got all my info from my truly great pulmonologist who saved my life this summer.

Aurora

Hi Chartreux, I would guess that the xopenex used in the nebulizer is stronger than my inhaler. But I am one of I imagine a few people who do not get the jitters from albuterol. And it works fine for me.  But I am on symbicort long term and that keeps me breathing free.  Only when I over exert myself do I need my rescue inhaler. And who knows maybe they will come out with another type of rescue inhaler. Thanks for your reply.

Aurora

IWAW, have you tried using a spacer with your inhaler? This may help you not to feel as sick after using it.  Also, how bad is your asthma?  Maybe you need a long term inhaler and not just a rescue inhaler.  Have you tried xopenex?  I find it to be very mild although it doesn't help me as a rescue inhaler.  How are you feeling sick from your inhaler, and which one do you use and how often?  Rescue inhalers are not meant to be used every day.  If you have to use is several times each day then you need a long term inhaler.  Also, do you rinse out your mouth carefully after use?  Using the spacer will keep the med going into your lungs and not lingering on your tongue and throat.  You may feel sick if your med is staying in your mouth and throat.  Before I got a spacer I was so hoarse I could barely talk. But I have bad asthma that was not under control so that is why I use symbicort for long term and I have no side effects from it now, just a slight nausea when I first started but I was able to breathe freely from the start and that meant more to me than a little nausea for a week. Please post and let us know how you are doing.  Also, it might be a good idea to talk this over with your dr.

Aurora

 

  Hi Another Day, are you using the new Xopenex HFA, how is it? Does it make you nervous. My problem is that I suffer of GAD and I am too sensitive to some medication, and even with some CFC inhalers I had problems, the only one that works good for me and not made me nervous was the Warrick CFC inhaler. I heard that Xopenex doesn't give you the jittery or anxiety. Can you please let me know, I have to go to see my doctor next week to decide what to take, I was using Proventil HFA and It made feel very nervous, so my doctor wants to put me on xopenex HFA and that's why I'm trying to get all the information I can. Thank you so much.

 Cris

 Thank you so much Auroroa for your reply, It's good to know about other albuterol inhaler, I never heard about ProAir. And yes I am using another inhaler for long term,(Flovent HFA), but that's something that I have to change, I used it when it was CFC. I need to find the right inhaler HFA for both, long term and rescuer. I will continue to taste one at a time. The spacer is a good idea also.

 By the way, have you signed the petition to have the CFC back? I did and I hope we can have them back because they work better.

Thank you again.

Cris