Patient was educated on Levalbuterol and its mechanism of action as follows:
- Levalbuterol is a short-acting agonist at Beta-2 receptors mainly located in the bronchial smooth muscle of respiratory tract and smooth muscle of blood vessels.
- Levalbuterol starts acting in about 1 to 5 minutes and can be effective for a duration of 3 to 4 hours.
- Phosphorylation (Addition of phosphate group) of myosin (contractile protein in the smooth muscle) is needed for the smooth muscle to contract. Contraction of the bronchial smooth muscle with narrowing of the airways is the major pathology in individuals with history of asthma and COPD.
- Activation of Beta-2 receptors by Levalbuterol inhibits phosphorylation of myosin, and thereby, inhibits the contraction and promotes relaxation of the smooth muscle in the respiratory tract and blood vessels.
- By promoting relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle with dilation of the airways, Levalbuterol helps individuals with asthma and COPD, to prevent episodes of acute shortness of breath and dyspnea.
- Levalbuterol usually is used for treating mild intermittent symptoms in individuals with history of asthma and COPD, with no gross exacerbation. Due to the quick onset of action, Levalbuterol can also be used as a rescue medication during acute episodes of exacerbation of shortness of breath and dyspnea.
- Relaxation of smooth muscle of blood vessels by Levalbuterol can result in dilation of blood vessels and consequently, can contribute towards reduced BP.
