Levalbuterol salt

Abstract

Levalbuterol L-tartrate affords crystals possessing properties desirable for use in a metered dose inhaler.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method of treating bronchospasm, which comprises administering to a patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of levalbuterol-L-tartrate using a metered dose inhaler, wherein the levalbuterol-L-tartrate is in the form of micronized crystals. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the micronized crystals of levalbuterol-L-tartrate are in the form of needle-like particles. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the levalbuterol-L-tartrate is a hemitartrate. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a propellant. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the propellant is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a surfactant. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the surfactant is oleic acid. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a co-solvent. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the co-solvent is ethanol. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the ethanol is dehydrated ethanol. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is adapted for administration of from about 45 μg to about 90 μg levalbuterol free base per actuation.