Xopenex HFA®
(levalbuterol tartrate)
Xopenex HFA®
(levalbuterol tartrate)

Xopenex HFA is an effective short-acting rescue inhaler for the treatment of asthma in children, adolescents, and adults

What is XOPENEX HFA?
XOPENEX HFA is an inhaled prescription medicine used for the treatment and prevention of asthma in people 4 years of age and older.
XOPENEX HFA has not been shown to be safe and effective in children under 4 years of age.
Learn About Xopenex HFA

Xopenex HFA (pronounced zō-pen-eks) is a kind of medication known as a rescue bronchodilator, which is a quick-relief treatment option to relieve symptoms during an asthma attack. The medicine, taken via inhaler, works by relaxing tightened muscles around the airway passages, helping to relieve coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness caused by asthma.

Xopenex works within minutes to relieve symptoms (around 5.5–10.2 minutes in adults and adolescents, and 4.5 minutes in children 4–11 years old).

Watch the Step-by-Step Video to Learn How to Use Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler

How to Use Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler

Parts of Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler

How to Prepare Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler for Use

How to Use Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler

How to Clean Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler

Special Cases When Using Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler

Always use Xopenex HFA exactly as your doctor has instructed you. Xopenex HFA is for oral inhalation use only. Keep Xopenex HFA and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Parts of Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler

Canister: The canister fits into the actuator. Do not place the canister under water to find out the amount of medicine left in the canister.

Actuator: The actuator holds the canister. Do not use the Xopenex HFA actuator with a canister of medicine from any other inhaler.

Dose Indicator: The dose indicator display window will show you how many sprays of medicine you have left in your inhaler. Each canister of Xopenex HFA contains enough medicine for you to spray your medicine 200 times. When the dose indicator display window shows a red zone, approximately 20 inhalations are left, and a refill is required.

Mouthpiece: The mouthpiece releases the medicine when you press down on the center of the dose indicator.

Cap: Keep the cap on between uses of Xopenex HFA.

How to Prepare Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler for Use
  • Your inhaler should be at room temperature before you use it.
  • Shake the inhaler well before each use.
  • Before you use Xopenex HFA for the first time, or if you haven't taken your medicine for 3 days in a row, you must prime the inhaler.
How to Prime Your Inhaler:
Take the cap off the mouthpiece of the actuator. Check inside the mouthpiece for objects before use.
Hold the inhaler in the upright position away from the face and shake the inhaler well.
Press down fully on the center of the dose indicator to release a spray of medicine from the mouthpiece. You may hear a soft click from the dose indicator as it counts down during use.
  • Avoid spraying in your eyes
  • Repeat the steps to prime 3 more times to finish priming your inhaler.
How to Use Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler Properly
Take the cap off the mouthpiece of the actuator. Check inside the mouthpiece for objects. Make sure the canister fits firmly in the actuator.
Shake the inhaler well for 5 seconds before use.
Hold the inhaler upright with mouthpiece pointing towards you. Before you put the mouthpiece in your mouth, breathe out through your mouth and push out as much air from your lungs as you can.
Hold the inhaler upright with mouthpiece pointing towards you. Before you put the mouthpiece in your mouth, breathe out through your mouth and push out as much air from your lungs as you can.
Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips around it.
Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips around it.
While breathing in deeply and slowly, press down on the center of the targeting rings until a spray of medicine has been released. Then stop pressing the dose indicator.
When you have finished breathing in, remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Close your mouth and hold your breath for 10 seconds if possible. Then breathe out gently.
Wait about 1 minute, then shake the inhaler well. Repeat steps 3 through 6 to take your second spray of Xopenex HFA.
Put the cap back on the mouthpiece right away after use, making sure the cap snaps firmly back into place.
How to Clean Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler
Clean the inhaler once per week. It is important to keep the actuator clean so that medicine will not build up and block the spray from the mouthpiece.
Take the canister out of the actuator. Do not clean the canister or let it get wet.
Take the canister out of the actuator. Do not clean the canister or let it get wet.
Take the cap off the mouthpiece.
Hold the actuator under the faucet and run warm water through it for at least 30 seconds. Turn the actuator upside down and rinse the actuator again through the mouthpiece for at least 30 seconds.
Hold the actuator under the faucet and run warm water through it for at least 30 seconds. Turn the actuator upside down and rinse the actuator again through the mouthpiece for at least 30 seconds.
Shake off as much water from the actuator as you can.
Look inside the actuator and mouthpiece to make sure any medicine build-up has been completely washed away. Medicine build-up is more likley to happen if the actuator is not allowed to air-dry completely.
Let the actuator air-dry overnight. Do not put the canister back into the actuator if it's still wet.
When the actuator is dry, put the canister back in the actuator and put the cap back on the mouthpiece. Make sure to firmly press the canister down in the actuator.
Special Cases When Using Your Xopenex HFA Inhaler

What if I need to use my inhaler before the plastic actuator is completely dry?

  • First, shake off as much water from the actuator as you can.
  • Put the canister back into the actuator and shake the inhaler well.
  • To remove most of the water from your inhaler, press down on the center of the targeting ring 2 times to release a total of 2 sprays into the air away from your face.
  • Take your prescribed dose of medicine.
  • Repeat steps 1 through 7 to clean your inhaler.

What if the actuator is blocked?

  • If the actuator is blocked, that means little to no medicine is coming out of the mouthpiece.
  • Repeat steps 1 through 7 to clean your inhaler.

Read Less

What is XOPENEX HFA?
  • XOPENEX HFA is an inhaled prescription medicine used for the treatment and prevention of asthma in people 4 years of age and older.
  • XOPENEX HFA has not been shown to be safe and effective in children under 4 years of age.
Who should not use XOPENEX HFA?
You should not use XOPENEX HFA if you are allergic to levalbuterol, racemic albuterol, or any of the ingredients in XOPENEX HFA.
What should I tell my doctor before taking XOPENEX HFA?
Before you use XOPENEX HFA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
  • Have heart problems.
  • Have high blood pressure
  • Have seizures.
  • Have diabetes.
  • Have thyroid problems.
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XOPENEX HFA will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
  • Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if XOPENEX HFA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you use XOPENEX HFA.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
  • Other inhaled medicines or asthma medicines
  • Heart medicines
  • Medicines that increase urination (diuretics)
  • Antidepressants
  • Medicines to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What are the possible side effects of XOPENEX HFA?
XOPENEX HFA can cause serious side effects including:
  • Sudden shortness of breath (bronchospasm)
  • Worsening asthma
  • Heart problems
  • Death
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Low potassium levels in your blood
The most common side effects of XOPENEX HFA include:
  • Accidental injury
  • Bronchitis
  • Dizziness
  • Pain
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Vomiting
  • Palpitations
  • Chest pain
  • Fast heart rate
  • Tremors
  • Nervousness
These are not all the possible side effects of XOPENEX HFA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report potential side effects of prescription drugs to FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch also at 1-800-FDA-1088, or to Lupin Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-399-2561.