Levosalbutamol

Levosalbutamol, also commonly known by the brand name Proventil®, is a medication used to treat and prevent bronchospasm [1]. Bronchospasm is the tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways in your lungs, which narrows the airways and makes breathing difficult. Levosalbutamol belongs to a class of drugs called short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists (SABAs) [2].

Here's how Levosalbutamol works to improve breathing:

• Relaxes airway muscles: Levosalbutamol works by relaxing the smooth muscles surrounding the airways in your lungs. This widens the airways, allowing air to flow more easily and reducing wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing [1, 2].

Levosalbutamol is primarily used for:

• Relieving symptoms of asthma: It's a quick-relief medication used to treat sudden asthma attacks or episodes of wheezing and shortness of breath [1].
• Preventing exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB): Levosalbutamol can be taken before exercise to help prevent narrowing of the airways triggered by physical activity [1].

Important things to remember about Levosalbutamol:

• Not a long-term control medication: While levosalbutamol effectively relieves symptoms during an asthma attack, it's not a long-term control medication for asthma. Your doctor may prescribe other medications to manage chronic asthma symptoms [1].
• Overuse concerns: Frequent use of levosalbutamol can potentially lead to reduced effectiveness over time. It's important to use it only as directed by your doctor and to seek medical attention if your symptoms worsen or your reliever inhaler becomes less effective [1, 2].
• Potential side effects: Levosalbutamol can cause side effects such as tremor (shaking), heart palpitations, dizziness, nervousness, or mouth or throat irritation [1].