livolin

As a bronchodilator, levalbuteral (levosalbutamol) is used to treat asthma and COPD. In general, levalbuterol has similar pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties to albuterol; however, its manufacturer, Sepracor, has implied (although not directly claimed) that levalbuterol produces fewer side effects.

Physicians sometimes elect to use levalbuterol in patients with a history of supraventricular tachycardia or other arrhythmias because it is thought that levalbuterol may produce fewer cardiac side effects than albuterol. For similar reasons, some pediatricians also use levalbuterol for patients who experience hyperactivity or jitteriness from albuterol.

There are differing opinions on whether there is sufficient therapeutic benefit to using levalbuterol that outweighs the 5-10 times higher price tag. In general, it appears that if a clinician and patient feel that a low dose of albuterol is causing undesirable side effects, levalbuterol may be a viable alternative.