Lesal

Indications

Levosalbutamol is used to relieve and prevent narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm) that causes wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath in:

• Asthma.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis.
• Wheezy chest infections.

It is available as an inhaler, nebuliser solution, tablets and syrup. Some syrups combine it with Ambroxol or Guaifenesin to loosen mucus.

How It Works

Levosalbutamol is the active form of Salbutamol. It is a bronchodilator: it relaxes the muscles around the airways so they open up and air flows more easily. Inhaled, it starts working within minutes.

Dosage and Administration

• Inhaler: usually 1 to 2 puffs when needed for breathlessness or wheeze, not more often than every 4 to 6 hours, or as the doctor advises.
• Tablets or syrup, adults: usually 1 to 2 mg three times a day, or as prescribed.
• Nebuliser solution: as prescribed by the doctor.
• Children: as prescribed, according to age and weight.

Shake the inhaler before use and learn the correct technique; a spacer can help. If you need your reliever more often than usual, or it does not help as much, see your doctor, as your asthma may be getting worse.

Interactions

• Beta blockers such as Propranolol can block its effect and may worsen asthma.
• Diuretics (water tablets), steroids and Theophylline can add to the fall in blood potassium.
• Older antidepressants (tricyclics and MAOIs) can increase effects on the heart and blood pressure.
• Other bronchodilators of the same type add to side effects such as fast heartbeat.
• Use with care with Digoxin.

Contraindications

Allergy to levosalbutamol, salbutamol or any ingredient of the product.

Side Effects

Common: shaking of the hands (tremor), fast heartbeat or palpitations, nervousness, headache, muscle cramps and difficulty sleeping.

Get urgent medical help if breathing gets worse straight after using it, if your usual dose does not relieve a severe asthma attack, or if you have chest pain, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or swelling of the face or throat.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy: use if a doctor advises it; poorly controlled asthma is a greater risk to mother and baby than the medicine. Breastfeeding: inhaled doses are unlikely to harm the baby; ask your doctor before using tablets or syrup.

Precautions and Warnings

Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid, diabetes (blood sugar may rise) or low blood potassium. A reliever is not a replacement for a preventer inhaler if your doctor has prescribed one. Do not use more than prescribed.

Overdose

Too much can cause severe shaking, a very fast heartbeat, chest pain, agitation, low blood potassium and high blood sugar. Seek medical help straight away.

Therapeutic Class

Short-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator.

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children. Do not puncture or burn the inhaler, even when empty, and keep it away from direct heat. Keep nebuliser ampoules in their foil until use.