Ventolin/Levalbuterol Severe Reaction - Options?

@kelly7232 @sueinmn @merpreb I do much better with Xopenex for my asthma than with the generics Albuterol or Levalbuterol. My doctor had explained it this way....there are often 2 versions of chemical compounds that are mirror images of each other or a "sis" and a "trans" version if I am remembering chemistry correctly. The generic form may not be the specifically correct shape to fit and solve the issue. Xopenex is the one that fits correctly being only a single version of the compound, and the generic may have both the sis and trans versions. It's more effort to manufacture the specific version for Xopenex. I find that the generics cause my heart to race and irritate my airway. Xopnex is much better, but can also cause my heart to race if at a higher dose. I had used Xopenex in a nebulizer and gotten more of it deeper into my lungs and had my heart race for about 20 minutes, after that, the dose for the nebulizer was changed to a pediatric dose and I was only using about half of it, going slowly, stopping and waiting a few minutes before continuing to nebulize. You can really control how much you inhale with a nebulizer vs. an inhaler. If I am using the Xopenex inhaler, I don't get as much irritation and less heart racing. I also use cough drops for the menthol, or something like Vick's vapo rub to inhale the eucalyptus vapors. That opens up airways because it can temporarily "paralyze" or relax the muscles constricting the airways. When you thin the phlegm with Mucinex (or its generic) that helps too. Insurance is always trying to push the cheaper medications on patients and not what is best for the patient. If you use a nebulizer, that adds lots of precautionary cleaning and sterilizing of the nebulizer to avoid risks of lung infections. I have a nebulizer that can run off rechargeable batteries or a car connection (although new cars have electric plugs and ports).

Have any of you tried medication in a nebulizer before to control your dosage?

@kelly7232 @sueinmn @merpreb I do much better with Xopenex for my asthma than with the generics Albuterol or Levalbuterol. My doctor had explained it this way....there are often 2 versions of chemical compounds that are mirror images of each other or a "sis" and a "trans" version if I am remembering chemistry correctly. The generic form may not be the specifically correct shape to fit and solve the issue. Xopenex is the one that fits correctly being only a single version of the compound, and the generic may have both the sis and trans versions. It's more effort to manufacture the specific version for Xopenex. I find that the generics cause my heart to race and irritate my airway. Xopnex is much better, but can also cause my heart to race if at a higher dose. I had used Xopenex in a nebulizer and gotten more of it deeper into my lungs and had my heart race for about 20 minutes, after that, the dose for the nebulizer was changed to a pediatric dose and I was only using about half of it, going slowly, stopping and waiting a few minutes before continuing to nebulize. You can really control how much you inhale with a nebulizer vs. an inhaler. If I am using the Xopenex inhaler, I don't get as much irritation and less heart racing. I also use cough drops for the menthol, or something like Vick's vapo rub to inhale the eucalyptus vapors. That opens up airways because it can temporarily "paralyze" or relax the muscles constricting the airways. When you thin the phlegm with Mucinex (or its generic) that helps too. Insurance is always trying to push the cheaper medications on patients and not what is best for the patient. If you use a nebulizer, that adds lots of precautionary cleaning and sterilizing of the nebulizer to avoid risks of lung infections. I have a nebulizer that can run off rechargeable batteries or a car connection (although new cars have electric plugs and ports).

Have any of you tried medication in a nebulizer before to control your dosage?

@jenniferhunter @sueinmn @merpreb WOW! Great information to have! I have always said, that genetics are not the same! They may be required to contain the same ingredients - but the devil is in the details of those ingredients - and whatever else is floating around with those required ingredients. The fillers used with generic medications made in different factories and countries, can be quite different. Digging deeper in to this issue, is worthwhile I think. There is more than just face value to these generics. (The cover of the book, does not tell the entire story!) They can be dangerous obviously..

It is not just the fillers in generics we need to be concerned about. Supplements are another culprit in adverse reactions, even if you keep buying the same brand, because they are unregulated, their composition can change from time to time.

A different dosage of the same drug, name brand or generic, can contain a different filler or dye - for example, the medication in an extended release capsule versus a tablet, or a pink pill and a white one, or the flavoring in a liquid suspension, or the carrier in an ointment or gel. It is a constant mystery for those with sensitivities and allergies.
Sue

Hi Jennifer- You bring up a great point and that is how we inhale our medications. It's very important to deep breathe, causing our very flat bellies 😏 to inflate to make sure that every drop of medication reaches the far reaches of our lungs and not just the top part!! It also makes a big difference, to me in how it makes me feel!

I do need to be more conscious about the mechanics of inhalation.! Great reminder!

It's a continual fight, especially when I'm in a rush. Also, eat before you inhale. I have to! It helps.

Please tell me, how this helps you?

Good morning Kelly- I have no idea. But it does. I was surprised when my Pulmonologist suggested it to me. Another thing is to shake your inhaler prior to using it. If you don't sometimes medications separate and could lead to trouble. I don't know if yours is the kind that you need to shake it. It can taste awful if you don't! 🤮