Swimfast - I definitely had xopenex in the hospital and while I know that it is albuterol w/o the isomer, I also know that it worked to stop my attack whereas two (or three, can't remember) albuterol nebs only lasted about 45 minutes to an hour tops.
One question I have is why if it is the same strength, is the normal dosage supposed to be every 8 hours when the albuterol nebs are every 4. During the attack, while in the hospital they were going to give me albuterol every two hours (but I never made it that long), but when they switched to xopenex the orders went to every 4 hours (and I had no problem lasting that long). To me that suggests that the xopenex is indeed more potent.