Xopenex...Alternative To Albuteral By donnabc on - Updated Oct 15, 2011
My son, now almost 9, was a premie. He was hospitalized twice for lung issues (once at 2 weeks and then again when he was 2). The first medication they attempted to give him was Albuterol. It was a liquid medication that he took by mouth. He was about 10 months probably and I seriously thought I would have to take him to the ER it made his heart race soo bad. After that experience I refused to give it to him again, in ANY form.
His doctors told me about a new medication called Xopenex which was used in a nebulizer. In layman terms, Albuterol is a double helix drug. From what I understand, most of the side effects are on one strand while most of the beneficial components are on the other. Xopenex is basically the same medication without the half which has the side effects.
It works just as well in my experience. And while it does increase the heart rate, but not NEARLY as much as Albuterol does. To give you and example, when he was 2 he got the flu. I took in him and he was a bit congested. Within 12 hours, he could not get his breath and come to find out his right lung was partly collapsed. Anyway, in the hospital, without my knowledge, the attending put him on q 3 hour breathing treatments...with ALBUTEROL! His heart rate went crazy. The nurses kept running in and out. When I began to ask WHY his heart rate was sooo high, they said it might be the ALBUTEROL!
Well, lets just say, he did not take any more albuterol (I showed my tale and he was switched to Xopenex). To this day, he still has not taken that medication. Now, thank the lord, Xopenex even comes in an inhaler!
If you can't tollerate Albuterol, ask about Xopenex.
About The Author:
Sepracor Inc Xopenex Purchased at: PCMH pharmacy Price: without insurance about $100
Cam has asthma and was a 7 month premie. Needless to say his breathing was a huge issue. And Albuterol made his poor heart race just as badly. How I wish they had had this alternative then Donna. Even now, though rare, he'll get congested and unable to breathe. I will ask my doc abut this drug. Cam is autistic which compounded the hyperactivity response associated with albuteral, making it doubly unsafe for him.
Thanks for the info, I am so fortunate that my kids never had problem with asthma.
Sounds like a great option for people who can't use Albuteral. Thankfully I don't have this trouble and when my girls were little and had asthma, medication was not available at home.
I love when companies release generics...it is so important that no one does without medicines.
Great information on a product you have a lot of experience with!
Thank goodness they found something better for your child. How scary to think that there are so many side effects to the medicine we give our children. I am happy that it comes in a form that is convenient for you now. My children never had any problems like this. I can't imagine what you must have been going through. Great and very important information!
My daughter uses albuterol all the time and she gets very shakey from it. I will ask her pediatrician about this medicine. Thanks for the information.
Wow! I'm glad you found a suitable alternative for your son to try...and that it works well for him! Thanks for the info and explanation on the difference between this and albuterol.