What is one characteristic of levalbuterol compared to albuterol?

Levalbuterol is a selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist that is designed to provide bronchodilation while minimizing the side effects often associated with non-selective beta agonists like albuterol. One significant characteristic of levalbuterol is that it typically leads to fewer undesirable side effects, such as tachycardia, which is an increased heart rate.

This reduced incidence of side effects can be attributed to levalbuterol's action on beta-2 receptors specifically, while albuterol may also stimulate beta-1 receptors that can influence heart rate. This selectivity makes levalbuterol particularly valuable for patients who are more sensitive to the cardiovascular effects of bronchodilators, enabling better symptom management with a greater safety profile. As a result, patients may tolerate levalbuterol better, especially those with comorbid conditions that could be exacerbated by increased heart rate.