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Related Concept Videos

Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists

Bronchodilators are critical in managing asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway constriction due to inflammation and hyper-reactivity. Specifically, bronchodilators ease this constriction by relaxing the bronchial muscles, facilitating easier breathing.
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...
Inhaled Medications01:23

Inhaled Medications

Inhaled medications are crucial for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. They are essential for effective treatment and control, ensuring optimal respiratory health and well-being. Inhaled medication delivers drugs directly to the lungs, providing a rapid onset of action and reducing systemic side effects compared to oral or injectable medications. Three primary types of inhalation devices are used to administer these medications: nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers...
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents01:28

Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents

Mixed-action adrenergic agonists, like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, directly and indirectly affect adrenergic receptors. These agents stimulate adrenoceptors and indirectly release stored neurotransmitters, amplifying the adrenergic response.
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine lack a catecholamine group, making them less susceptible to degradation by metabolic enzymes. They have increased oral bioavailability and lipophilicity, resulting in a longer duration of action. Their response is reduced by...
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:

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Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
14:39

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Levalbuterol versus albuterol.

Bill T Ameredes1, William J Calhoun

  • 1University of Texas Medical Branch, 4.118 John Sealy Annex, Galveston, TX 77555-0568, USA.

Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
|August 13, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Albuterol, a racemic mixture, and its active isomer levalbuterol treat asthma. While both are effective, levalbuterol may offer greater benefits in severe asthma cases, influencing physician choice.

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Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System
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Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System

Published on: April 6, 2017

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
14:39

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Published on: November 4, 2010

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System
07:28

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System

Published on: April 6, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Pulmonology
  • Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

  • Albuterol has been a cornerstone in treating acute asthma exacerbations for over four decades.
  • It is administered as a racemic mixture, containing both the active (R)-albuterol (levalbuterol) and the (S)-albuterol isomer.
  • The single-isomer formulation, levalbuterol, has emerged as a therapeutic option when the racemic mixture is less preferred.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the therapeutic effects and clinical utility of racemic albuterol and levalbuterol in asthma management.
  • To investigate the pharmacological differences between the isomers and their clinical implications.
  • To analyze factors influencing the selection between racemic albuterol and levalbuterol by healthcare providers.

Main Methods:

  • Review of basic scientific investigations and clinical studies on albuterol isomers.
  • Analysis of pharmacokinetic data regarding the persistence of (S)-albuterol versus levalbuterol.
  • Examination of factors such as cost, formulation, and clinical outcomes influencing prescribing habits.

Main Results:

  • Both racemic albuterol and levalbuterol demonstrate beneficial effects in asthma, including corticosteroid amplification and reduced inflammatory mediators.
  • (S)-albuterol exhibits opposing effects to levalbuterol and persists longer in circulation, potentially causing paradoxical effects.
  • Clinical studies show no definitive superiority of levalbuterol over racemic albuterol, though benefits may be pronounced in moderate to severe asthma, especially with overuse of the racemate.

Conclusions:

  • Physician preference for racemic albuterol or levalbuterol is influenced by a combination of clinical experience, pharmaceutical knowledge, cost, and availability.
  • While levalbuterol offers a targeted approach, racemic albuterol remains widely used due to established practices and cost considerations.
  • Further research may clarify optimal patient selection for each formulation, particularly in severe asthma exacerbations.