For an adult patient with asthma having adverse reactions to Albuterol treatments, what modification should be considered?

In the scenario presented, the correct approach is to switch the patient from Albuterol to Xopenex, specifically at a dose of 0.63 mg. Xopenex, or levalbuterol, is a selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist that is often prescribed for patients who experience adverse reactions or increased side effects from Albuterol. The reason for this switch is based on Xopenex’s pharmacological properties, which can provide effective bronchodilation while minimizing side effects.

Patients may respond better to Xopenex due to its different composition, as it is the R-enantiomer of Albuterol, which primarily provides the desired therapeutic effects while potentially reducing side effects such as increased heart rate or nervousness. This makes it a suitable alternative for managing asthma symptoms when Albuterol leads to unwanted effects.

Increasing the dosage of Albuterol may risk exacerbating the adverse reactions, and decreasing the dosage might not provide adequate symptom relief. Switching to Mucomyst (acetylcysteine) is not appropriate in this context, as Mucomyst is a mucolytic agent used for breaking down mucus, not as a bronchodilator for asthma management. Therefore, switching to Xopenex is a strategic modification that addresses both the patient's