SGT Salter
Instructor: SSG Zedella
RESP 1150
March 09, 2016
Research Paper
Albuterol vs Levalbuterol
The respiratory system is an organ system responsible for gas exchange; one of the main structures of this system being the airways. Many people suffer from obstructive airway diseases, most commonly from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Asthma. Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) are a type of bronchodilator that have been successfully used for decades to treat acute airway obstruction. The two most commonly used SABA bronchodilators that treat acute obstructive airways are albuterol and levalbuterol. The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program consider these two medicines the rescue drugs because they are used for
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The body slowly metabolizes the S-Isomer and it stays in the lungs longer, which could cause paradoxical bronchospasm in the long term. The concerns regarding the potential negative side effects of the S-Isomer led to the development of levalbuterol.
Levalbuterol is the most recent invented short-acting beta agonist drug and was released in 1999. It is the pure R-Isomer of racemic albuterol, which means it doesn’t have the S-Isomer that can potentially cause detrimental effects. The trade name for levalbuterol is Xopenex. Levalbuterol is available in three solution strengths for nebulization. Children between the ages of six to eleven years of age get a dosage of 0.31-mg/3ml and patients of twelve years and older get a dosage of 0.63-mg/3ml. If the patient doesn’t respond to the 0.63-mg/3ml dosage, he or she will get a dosage of 1.25-mg/3ml. Levalbuterol is also available in a metered dose inhaler. There have been constant discussions on whether levalbuterol offers any beneficial advantages over albuterol in the management of airway diseases, since levalbuterol does not have the S-Isomer.
It is important that medication is reliable in its treatment effectiveness as well as the cost aspect. A study conducted by Brunetti, et al., compared the clinical outcomes and costs of albuterol versus levalbuterol for treatment of
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, which requires treatment using bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids. Inhalation route is the most direct and efficient way to deliver high amount of drugs to the airways with least systematic side effects. Improper use of the inhaler device is one of the most common reasons for poor asthma control as it can reduce effectiveness and the amount of drugs reaches to the airways (AL-Jahdali et al. 2013). SIGN (2016) and NICE (2013) recommend that when initiate any new inhaler, patients should be trained on proper inhaler
When an asthmatic takes an inhaler “Albuterol sulfate”, the medication works by reducing the inflammation in the airway paths “bronchi and bronchioles” of the lungs, allowing the patient to breath without constriction or symptoms of asthma.
This research is performed after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the drug has been obtained. The intention of this research is to gather additional information with regard to effectiveness and safety and attempts to be conclusive with answers about the drug as far as benefit/risk issues are concerned. This is also the phase in the drug research process where labels are created and the basic guidelines for definition and public informative information is finalized. These studies may include several hundred to several thousand people.
Asthma is a long term disease that inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs. When a person has asthma, cells and tissues in the airways become susceptible to inflammation when they come in contact with different substances. These substances can be harmless but with asthma, these substances can become very dangerous. This inflammation in the airways then leads to airway narrowing. The body’s response to ease the inflammation is the release of histamine and leukotrienes. When histamine and leukotirens are released, the muscles in the airways contract which makes the airways to become narrow. The nerves in the airway also become more sensitive which leads to harsh coughing and wheezing.
Asthma is a common problem in many health institutions and has afflicted many individuals on a global scale. The result is high costs of treating the disease, worsening of the condition and excessive cases of hospital admission. There are several factors that might be related to this situation including the inaccurate utilization of the inhalers that are used to administer drugs such as β-antagonists, corticosteroids, and anticholinergics. However, studies in the medical field depict that there the patients as well as caregivers may not adequately know how to administer the drugs using the inhalers. There is therefore need to establish whether patients are aware how to utilize inhalers.
Ventolin is a name brand, prescription medication that is prevalent among asthmatics. Its molecular structure is referred to as salbutamol and is sold with both enantiomers of the molecule in a racemic mixture. Ventolin is used to treat asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasms and even help with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders (COPDs). This medication can be administered or taken with an inhaler, nebulizer, pill or even an intravenous solution. In order for this medication to take effect and induce bronchodilation, it must undergo a series of steps. For the purpose of exhibiting the use of Ventolin, we will analyze its use via inhaler, on a person having an asthma attack.
Reliever medicine or bronchodilators (in the form of pressurised metered-dose inhaler or dry powder inhaler) help in fast and short relief when asthma symptoms occur like wheezing, chest tightness, cough, and shortness of breath by opening the airways (NPS Medicinewise, 2014). Further, the administration of the drugs is via “puffers” or inhaler device. According to Bryant and Knights (2015, pg.604), the meter-dose inhaler delivers aerosol suspension, while dry powder inhaler delivers the drug in the form of finely divided particles. The canisters are usually blue or grey, such as Salbutamol and terbutaline. in contrast with reliever medication, preventer medicine is regular medication to prevent persistent asthma symptoms from developing to asthma attacks. Furthermore, the medicine comes in the forms of “puffers”, nebuliser solution and oral tablets the colour of the “puffers” usually brown, orange, rust or yellow (NPS Medicinewise, 2014). Furthermore, in symptoms controller mechanism or the long-acting beta2 agonists (LABAs), the drugs, which comes in “puffers” and dry powder inhalers provide symptom controller and anti-inflammatory to help relieve the constant asthma symptoms for 12–24 hours. Moreover, other medications like Omalizumab injection and oral corticosteroids and other IV medication given in severe asthma attack when the inhalers are not effective.
Ipratropium, Tiotropium bromide are anticholinergic agents widely used as second-line bronchodilator (after β2-agonists). The anticholinergic agents are effective for patients with severe airway obstruction and acute asthma exacerbations leads to cholinergic activation through viral infection, allergen exposure and air pollution. The combination of anticholinergic agent with SABA is the best treatment option for the of β-blocker induced asthma.
Filters inspired air, produces sounds for vocalisation and contains the receptors for the sense of smell
58-62). Albuterol is a short acting, and intended for use only in acute episodes of breathlessness. Duncan (2015) states “only 1 in 10 patients with a metered dose inhaler uses the correct technique” (p. 175). Therefore, especially with Albuterol HFA, it is important to teach both patients and their support persons the proper technique in using this inhaler with a spacer. Furthermore, it is important this teaching takes place at a time when the patient is not having an acute episode of breathlessness to ensure information is understood. Teach back, where a patient repeats back what they have just learn, is an effective method for ensuring correct inhaler technique.
The respiratory system is a series of organs in which is responsible for taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. The main organ in the respiratory is the lungs which helps with the prosses of exchanging gases as we breath. Red blood cells collect and use the oxygen to carry around the body to parts that need it. The body needs oxygen to survive because when without it, it would be fatal which is why the respiratory system is important.
Ipratropium bromide enlarges and prevents the airway from constricting causing an increase of the airflow. Ipratropium bromide is an anticholinergic agent that
Understanding the physiology of respiration system is important when trying to understand the disease processes because understanding the physiology of the respiratory system can increase the understanding of some of the disease and their process encountered. When trying to figure out the disease it is worth spending time trying to understand some of the counters involved.
Salbutamol is a generally utilized asthma solution sold under various exchange names, including Ventolin and Proventil. It is a bronchodilator, implying that it follows up on particular cells in the airway route to augment the air entries. Its instrument of activity, which is through association with a particular cell receptor, the beta-2-adrenergic receptor (b-2AR), has been seriously considered. The coupling of salbutamol to b-2AR "actuates" the receptor, invigorating it to deliver chemicals that in the end lead to unwinding of the airway passage muscles. Salbutamol is composed of an aromatic ring, hydroxyls and an amine and t-Butyl group.
As new medicine is formulated in laboratories, first, biochemical and animal experiments is conducted to determine if it is safe and useful for humans. Next, an application for clinical trial is submitted to Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia sponsor must be included. Series of clinical trials are conducted. Only after phase III trial (about 1000-3000 volunteers recruited) satisfies the safety, efficacy, and manufacturing standards set by the TGA that the medicine is approved for sale in Australia. If the approved medicine by TGA is equivalent or better than other drugs with similar effect, it is subsidised by Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.