For anyone who has asthma

[JOEYZ]

Within the last few years a new drug called Xopenex (Zo-Puh-Nex) has came on the scene and began to be used much more in the place of commone brochodialators such as Proventil, Albuterol, Ventolin, Alupent, and some others. We use these drugs in the form of Clenbuterol to cut and loose weight, but dont really know that much about some of the other effects. Albuterol contains an S-isomer which is responsible for all of the bad sides that you get when you are cutting and you shake, and have a pounding heart rate. the R-isomer is what gives all of the good effects such as the brochodialation. As you will see below, the S-isomer is actually attributed to reversing the good effects of the drug and from lectures that I have been and info that I have read, there is a possibility of the S-isomer actually causing chronic lung changes in lung performance tests. The following info is from a new drug that has had the bad isomer removed which gives less side effects to patients.


Xopenex is the therapeutically-active (R)-isomer of racemic albuterol. Racemic albuterol, an equal mixture of (R) and (S) isomers, is the world's leading bronchodilator for asthma. In Sepracor's clinical trials, Xopenex demonstrated excellent safety and efficacy and a duration of action that lasted up to eight hours.


"It appears the removal of the unnecessary (S)-isomer results in a purer and more potent drug," said Harold Nelson, M.D., senior staff physician in the department of medicine at National Jewish Medical and Research Center and lead investigator in Xopenex Phase III clinical trials. "For reasons that have not yet been clarified, the (S)-isomer when exposed to the patient in racemic form has been shown to interfere with the overall efficacy of the (R)-isomer."


In a Phase III, 362-patient four-week pivotal study, patients treated with 0.63 mg of Xopenex demonstrated lung-function responses comparable to those treated with the standard clinical dose (2.5 mg) of racemic albuterol, after the first dose as well as after four weeks of therapy. Generally patients on 0.63 mg of Xopenex reported a lower incidence and severity of beta-mediated side effects, such as nervousness and tremor, compared with those taking 2.5 mg of racemic albuterol.


Efficacy, as measured by the mean percent change from baseline in FEV1, was demonstrated for all active treatment regimens compared with placebo on day one and day 29. On both day one and day 29, 1.25 mg of Xopenex demonstrated the largest mean percent change from baseline in FEV1 compared to the other active treatments.


"With the prevalence of asthma, especially in children, on the rise, there is a great need for rescue therapy with minimal side effects," said Jeffrey Drazen, M.D., professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School. "Levalbuterol is the first real advance in rescue asthma therapy in over 20 years."


The first indication for Xopenex will be for the relief and prevention of bronchospasm. The drug will be available in solution formulation used in nebulizers. This device is an electric air compressor with a mouthpiece through which the patient breathes vaporised asthma medication. Children and elderly patients with severe asthma or those who have difficulty using other drug delivery systems, primarily use nebulizers. Reflecting the increasing incidence of asthma among children, the nebulizer segment continues to grow.


Asthma is a chronic disorder of the bronchial airways. During an asthma attack, the bronchial airways become narrowed as the bronchial muscles tighten. Bronchodilators, also known as beta-agonists, are used as primary treatment for acute and chronic asthma attacks because of their immediate onset of action. In order to treat asthma effectively, beta agonists should be used in conjunction with the long-term therapy of either steroids and/or leukotriene antagonists.


According to the American Lung Association, the number of deaths attributed to asthma has increased 117 percent since 1979. More than 14.6 million Americans suffer from asthma, which is the sixth-ranking chronic condition in America. Asthma accounts for an estimated three million lost work days annually for people over 18 years of age; the annual direct health care costs of asthma is approximately $9.8 billion US; indirect costs, such as lost productivity, add another $2.8 billion US.


Side effects from Xopenex, like other beta-agonists, may include dizziness, nervousness, tremor and dyspepsia. Patients with cardiovascular and convulsive disorders should use caution when administering the drug.


Hundreds of drugs on the market today are racemic mixtures with equal amounts of two isomers, an (R)-isomer and an (S)-isomer. In racemic albuterol, the (R)-isomer is exclusively responsible for the therapeutic effect and perfectly matches the human body's receptor. The (S)-isomer has been found to have no therapeutic benefit and poorly matches the body's receptor. Scientific data have suggested the (S)-isomer may cause detrimental airway hyperactivity. Xopenex is the optically pure (R)-isomer version of racemic albuterol.

	Clen

[powerlifter]

Yeah just had a long intro at a conference by a drug rep ( she was interesting and extremely easy on the eyes ) ( and they say that you can't remember stuff when delivered a beautiful woman ) ( what was she talking about ? LOL )

[JOEYZ]

Originally Posted by powerlifter

Yeah just had a long intro at a conference by a drug rep ( she was interesting and extremely easy on the eyes ) ( and they say that you can't remember stuff when delivered a beautiful woman ) ( what was she talking about ? LOL )

I dont think that Xopenex is the miracle drug that they try to make it out to be, but it definately has less sides. The only time I dont really like to use it is in ER situations. They say that it kicks in within minutes like Albuterol, but I dont think it does.

[Naughty Nurse]

I'm curious to see if we've got this when I head back to work.

[samax64]

who makes it do you know ?

[JOEYZ]

Originally Posted by samax64

who makes it do you know ?

Sepracor makes it, and I doubt that it is available in Canada. I could be wrong though. I dont think Albuterol is available in Canada either...........I think its Salbutamol? Maybe Im wrong?

[Naughty Nurse]

Originally Posted by JOEYZ

I think its Salbutamol? Maybe Im wrong?

Nope you're right....there are a lot of drugs that are different here....though a lot of patients say albuterol.