Xopenex HFA is a medicine used to treat bronchospasm, also known as the narrowing of airways, due to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Xopenex HFA is a fast-acting, handheld inhaler, which releases a measured amount of medication, and is used for quick relief of asthma symptoms. Xopenex HFA relaxes muscles around the airway passages that are tightened, and reduces coughing and shortness of breath. Xopenex HFA is available by prescription only for adults and children ages 4 years and older.
Levalbuterol Tartrate
The main and only active ingredient in Xopenex HFA is levalbuterol tartrate in the form of levalbuterol HCl. Levalbuterol tartrate, according to Rxlist.com, is a selective beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist and is categorized as a sympathomimetic. A sympathomimetic means that the medication mimics the responses of the sympathetic nervous system to release epinephrine into the body. Levalbuterol tartrate works by relaxing bronchial smooth muscles.
The levalbuterol tartrate in Xopenex HFA inhalers comes in three different solution amounts: 0.31 mg, 0.63 mg, and 1.25 mg. The prescribed amount is based on severity of symptoms.
Suspension Agents
The levalbuterol tartrate is suspended in a solution that keeps the ingredients active and at a correct pH level. The suspension ingredients are sodium chloride and sulfuric acid. Sodium chloride is added to adjust tonicity. According to Biology-Online.org, tonicity is the osmotic pressure of a solution and the amount of solution in water cells in a particular solution. Sodium chloride is used to keep the correct amount of levalbuterol tartrate in the solution. The sulfuric acid is added to keep the pH levels at or around 4.0, which aids in keeping the levalbuterol tartrate active.
Propellant Agent
The propellant agent for Xopenex HFA is propellant HFA-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane). According to an article published in "Drug Metabolism and Disposition", propellant HFA-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) is a non-ozone-depleting propellant used in pharmaceuticals, especially for delivery of respiratory medications for asthma and COPD. Propellant HFA-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) is also an inert gas used to reduce moisture in compressed air.
Other Inactive Ingredients
Since there is only one active ingredient in Xopenex HFA, the other ingredients listed are inactive, but do serve important purposes. Oleic acid is used as an emulsifier in pharmaceuticals and lotions. In Xopenex HFA, its use is to keep the respiratory passages moist. Dehydrated Alcohol USP is used in Xopenex HFA to dry out the medication after delivery into the respiratory passages.
