Theo-levolin

Uses

Levosalbutamol tablet is used for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in adults, adolescents, and children 6 years of age and older with reversible obstructive airway disease.

Levosalbutamol Nebuliser Solution or Inhaler is used for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in adults, adolescents, and children with reversible obstructive airway disease.

This is used for the symptomatic treatment of reversible bronchoconstriction associated with bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary emphysema, chronic bronchitis and related bronchospastic disorders.

Theo-levolin is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: BronchospasmAsthma, Bronchitis, Bronchoconstriction, Bronchospasm, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic bronchial inflammation, Airway secretion clearance therapy, Bronchodilation

How Theo-levolin works

β2 adrenergic receptors on airway smooth muscle are Gs coupled and their activation by levosalbutamol leads to activation of adenylate cyclase and to an increase in the intracellular concentration of 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). Increased cyclic AMP activates protein kinase A which itself inhibits the phosphorylation of myosin produces lower intracellular ionic calcium concentrations, inducing muscle relaxation. Increased cyclic AMP concentrations are also associated with the inhibition of the release of mediators from mast cells in the airways, potentially contributing to its benefit in asthma attacks.

Theophylline relaxes the smooth muscle of the bronchial airways and pulmonary blood vessels and reduces airway responsiveness to histamine, methacholine, adenosine, and allergen. Theophylline competitively inhibits type III and type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE), the enzyme responsible for breaking down cyclic AMP in smooth muscle cells, possibly resulting in bronchodilation. Theophylline also binds to the adenosine A2B receptor and blocks adenosine mediated bronchoconstriction. In inflammatory states, theophylline activates histone deacetylase to prevent transcription of inflammatory genes that require the acetylation of histones for transcription to begin.

Dosage

Theo-levolin dosage

Levosalbutamol Tablet-

• Adults and children above 12 years: 1-2 mg three times daily.
• Children (6 -11 years): 1 mg three times daily.

Syrup-

• Adults and children above 12 years: 5-10 ml three times daily.
• Children (6 -11 years): 5 ml three times daily.

Levosalbutamol Nebuliser Solution-

This Nebuliser Solutionis supplied in unit-dose ampoules and requires no dilution before administration by nebulization.

• Children (6 months-11 years): The recommended dosage is 0.31 mg administered three times a day, by nebulization. Routine dosing should not exceed 0.63 mg three times a day.
• Adults and Adolescents above 12 years old: The recommended starting dosage is 0.63 mg administered three to four times a day, every 6 to 8 hours, by nebulization.
• Patients 12 years of age and older with more severe asthma or patients who do not respond adequately: 0.63 mg of Levosalbutamol Nebuliser Solution may benefit from a dosage of 1.25 mg three times a day.

Levosalbutamol Inhaler-

You should take your Levosalbutamol Inhaler as needed for an asthma attack at any time of day, with or without food, by taking 1-2 puffs up to 4 times daily and no more than 8 puffs in 24 hours. If you are using your Levosalbutamol Inhaler more than 3-4 times a week this may indicate that your asthma is not well controlled and you may need to review your medication. You can also use your Levosalbutamol Inhaler to prevent allergy or exercise induced asthma by taking 2 puffs 15 minutes before exercise or exposure to a known allergen.

Dosages are adjusted to maintain serum theophylline concentrations that provide optimal relief of symptoms with minimal side effects. Most of the controlled release preparations may be administered every 12 hours in adults while administration every 8 hours may be necessary in some children with markedly rapid hepatic metabolism of theophylline. The recommended dosages for achieving serum theophylline concentrations within the accepted therapeutic range is as follow:

• 1-6 months: 10mg/Kg/day
• 6 months-1 year: 15mg/Kg/day
• 1-9 years: 24mg/Kg/day
• 10-16 years: 18mg/Kg/day
• Adults: 10-15mg/Kg/day

Side Effects

Potentially serious side effects like hypokalamia may result from ß-2 agonist therapy. This effect may be potentiated by hypoxia. The other likely side effects are gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, burning substernal or epigastric pain and diarrhoea. In some cases nervousness, headache, dizziness, fatigue and sleeplessness may occur.

The following side effects have been observed:

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain and diarrhoea.

Central nervous system: Headache, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, muscles twitching.

Cardiovascular: Palpitation, tachycardia, hypotension. circulatory failure.

Respiratory: Tachypnoea.Renal: Potentiation of diuresis.

Others: Alopecia, hyperglycemia, rash etc.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include seizures, arrhythmias, and GI effects.

Precaution

Particular caution is advised in acute severe asthma as this effect may be potentiated by hypoxia and by concomitant treatment with xanthine derivatives, steroids and diuretics. Serum potassium levels should be monitored in such situations. Oral Levosalbutamol should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias or hypertension. Levosalbutamol can be used with caution after myocardial infarction.

Levosalbutamol Hydrochloride, like all sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias; in patients with convulsive disorders, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes mellitus; and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines. Levosalbutamol Nebuliser Solution or Inhaler must not be injected.

Careful consideration is needed for various interacting drugs and physiologic conditions that can alter Theophylline clearance. Dosage adjustment is required prior to initiation of Theophylline therapy, prior to increases in Theophylline dose, and during follow up. The dose of Theophylline selected for initiation of therapy should be low and, if tolerated, increased slowly over a period of time.

Interaction

Other short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilators or epinephrine should be used with caution with Levosalbutamol. If additional adrenergic drugs are to be administered by any route, they should be used with caution to avoid deleterious cardiovascular effects.

Allopurinol, cimetidine, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, oral contraceptives and propranolol increase serum theophylline levels. Phenytoin, methotrexate and rifampicin lead to decreased serum theophylline levels

Volume of Distribution

• 0.3 to 0.7 L/kg

Elimination Route

Inhalation delivers the medication directly into the airways and lungs, thereby minimizing side effects because of reduced systemic absorption of the inhaled medications.

Theophylline is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration in solution or immediate-release solid oral dosage form.

Half Life

3.3 - 4 hours

8 hours

Clearance

• 0.29 mL/kg/min [Premature neonates, postnatal age 3-15 days]
• 0.64 mL/kg/min [Premature neonates, postnatal age 25-57 days]
• 1.7 mL/kg/min [Children 1-4 years]
• 1.6 mL/kg/min [Children 4-12 years]
• 0.9 mL/kg/min [Children 13-15 years]
• 1.4 mL/kg/min [Children 16-17 years]
• 0.65 mL/kg/min [Adults (16-60 years), otherwise healthy non-smoking asthmatics]
• 0.41 mL/kg/min [Elderly (>60 years), non-smokers with normal cardiac, liver, and renal function]
• 0.33 mL/kg/min [Acute pulmonary edema]
• 0.54 mL/kg/min [COPD >60 years, stable, non-smoker >1 year]
• 0.48 mL/kg/min [COPD with cor pulmonale]
• 1.25 mL/kg/min [Cystic fibrosis (14-28 years)]
• 0.31 mL/kg/min [Liver disease cirrhosis]
• 0.35 mL/kg/min [acute hepatitis]
• 0.65 mL/kg/min [cholestasis]
• 0.47 mL/kg/min [Sepsis with multi-organ failure]
• 0.38 mL/kg/min [hypothyroid]
• 0.8 mL/kg/min [hyperthyroid]

Elimination Route

excreted into the urine.

Theophylline does not undergo any appreciable pre-systemic elimination, distributes freely into fat-free tissues and is extensively metabolized in the liver. Renal excretion of unchanged theophylline in neonates amounts to about 50% of the dose, compared to about 10% in children older than three months and in adults.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Use in pregnancy: Use of oral Levosalbutamol in pregnant women should be considered only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus or the infant.

Use in lactation: It is not known whether Levosalbutamol is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when oral Levosalbutamol is administered to a nursing woman.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Levosalbutamol Nebuliser Solution in pregnant women. Levosalbutamol Solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Lactation: It is not known whether Levosalbutamol is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when Levosalbutamol Nebuliser Solution is administered to a nursing woman.

Pregnancy: It is not known whether Theophylline can cause foetal harm when administered to pregnant woman.Xanthines should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Nursing mother: Theophylline is excreted into breast milk and may cause irritability or other signs of mild toxicity in nursing human infants. Serious adverse effects in the infant are unlikely unless the mother has toxic serum Theophylline concentrations.

Contraindication

Levosalbutamol Nebuliser Solution is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to Levosalbutamol Hydrochloride or racemic salbutamol.

Hypersensitivity to xanthine derivatives. It is also contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer disease and in individuals with underlying seizure disorders (unless receiving appropriate anti-convulsing medication).

Theophylline should not be administered concurrently with other xanthine. Use with caution in patients with hypoxemia, hypertension, or those with history of peptic ulcer. Do not attempt to maintain any dose that is not tolerated.

Acute Overdose

The expected symptoms with overdosage are those of excessive beta-adrenergic stimulation and/or occurrence or exaggeration of any of the symptoms listed under side effects e.g., tachycardia, nervousness, headache, tremor, nausea, dizziness, fatigue and sleeplessness. Hypokalaemia also may occur. Treatment consists of discontinuation of oral Levosalbutamol together with appropriate symptomatic therapy. In the event of serious poisoning, the stomach should be emptied and, if necessary, a beta-blocker administered with caution in patients with a history of bronchospasm.

Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal irritation, cramps, convulsions, tachycardia & hypotension. The stomach contents should be emptied & supportive measures employed to maintain circulation, respiration & fluid & electrolyte balance. Electrocardiographic monitoring should be carried out & in severe poisoning charcoal haemoperfusion should be used.

Storage Condition

Store at cool and dry place. Protected from light and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Store in a cool and dry place, protect from light and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children

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