Abstract
Aerosol delivery of asthma medications maximizes local effects in the lung and minimizes systemic effects compared with oral therapy. Both corticosteroids and bronchodilators are available in a variety of delivery devices for the treatment of asthma. The 1987 Montreal protocol requiring the phasing out of the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellant in commonly used pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) provided an impetus for the development of new technologies for the delivery of inhaled asthma medications. For pMDIs, CFC has been replaced with hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant. New types of dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and nebulizers, aerosol delivery devices that do not use propellants, also have been introduced. Drug delivery varies based on the device type, the product formulation and patient-related factors. Thus, drug delivery can differ when the same medication is delivered via an HFA pMDI, a CFC pMDI, a DPI or a nebulizer. Even among the same type of device (eg. DPIs, pMDIs), inhaler designs and drug formulations differ. Drug and device selection should be based on consideration of the patients ability to use the device properly, the availability of a desired drug or drugs (ie. maintenance and rescue) in a particular inhaler device and patient preference. This review describes key characteristics for each device type, explains differences in markers of lung deposition, lists potential advantages and disadvantages of the different devices and discusses how these and other factors need to be considered when selecting an inhaler device that meets the individual needs of a patient.
Keywords: aerosol devices, asthma therapy, pMDI, MDI, HFA, nebulizers
Current Drug Delivery
Title: Aerosol Devices and Asthma Therapy
Volume: 6 Issue: 1
Author(s): William Berger
Affiliation:
Keywords: aerosol devices, asthma therapy, pMDI, MDI, HFA, nebulizers
Abstract: Aerosol delivery of asthma medications maximizes local effects in the lung and minimizes systemic effects compared with oral therapy. Both corticosteroids and bronchodilators are available in a variety of delivery devices for the treatment of asthma. The 1987 Montreal protocol requiring the phasing out of the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellant in commonly used pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) provided an impetus for the development of new technologies for the delivery of inhaled asthma medications. For pMDIs, CFC has been replaced with hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant. New types of dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and nebulizers, aerosol delivery devices that do not use propellants, also have been introduced. Drug delivery varies based on the device type, the product formulation and patient-related factors. Thus, drug delivery can differ when the same medication is delivered via an HFA pMDI, a CFC pMDI, a DPI or a nebulizer. Even among the same type of device (eg. DPIs, pMDIs), inhaler designs and drug formulations differ. Drug and device selection should be based on consideration of the patients ability to use the device properly, the availability of a desired drug or drugs (ie. maintenance and rescue) in a particular inhaler device and patient preference. This review describes key characteristics for each device type, explains differences in markers of lung deposition, lists potential advantages and disadvantages of the different devices and discusses how these and other factors need to be considered when selecting an inhaler device that meets the individual needs of a patient.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Berger William, Aerosol Devices and Asthma Therapy, Current Drug Delivery 2009; 6 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720109787048203
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720109787048203 |
Print ISSN 1567-2018 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5704 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances of natural products, bio-actives and novel drug delivery system against emerging viral infections
Due to the increasing prevalence of viral infections and the ability of these human pathogens to develop resistance to current treatment strategies, there is a great need to find and develop new compounds to combat them. These molecules must have low toxicity, specific activity and high bioavailability. The most suitable ...read more
Electrospun Fibers as Drug Delivery Systems
In recent years, electrospun fibers have attracted considerable attention as potential platforms for drug delivery due to their distinctive properties and adaptability. These fibers feature a notable surface area-to-volume ratio and can be intentionally designed with high porosity, facilitating an increased capacity for drug loading and rendering them suitable for ...read more
Emerging Nanotherapeutics for Mitigation of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Conditions affecting the central nervous system (CNS) present a significant hurdle due to limited access of both treatments and diagnostic tools for the brain. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a barrier, restricting the passage of molecules from the bloodstream into the brain. The most formidable challenge facing scientists is ...read more
Nanotechnology Based Chemotherapy for the treatment of Head & Neck Cancer
The escalating recurrence rates observed in Head and Neck cancer, particularly within the chemo-therapeutically treated cohort (50-60%), can be attributed to the non-selective nature of current anticancer drug delivery modalities. In this context, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems emerge as a promising avenue for achieving precise localization of therapeutic agents to ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Genetics of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews A Current Perspective of Plants as an Antibacterial Agent: A Review
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology TNF-α and Ghrelin: Opposite Effects on Immune System, Metabolism and Mental Health
Protein & Peptide Letters T Cell Homeostasis in Centenarians: From the Thymus to the Periphery
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mass Spectrometric Analysis of F2-Isoprostanes: Markers and Mediators in Human Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis The Roles of Antimicrobial Peptides in Innate Host Defense
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial [Hot Topic: Molecular Pathogenesis of Airway Diseases (Guest Editor: Devendra K. Agrawal)]
Current Molecular Medicine Potential Targets and Their Relevant Inhibitors in Anti-influenza Fields
Current Medicinal Chemistry Involvement of Leukotriene Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Ischemia- Reperfusion Injury and Septic and Non-Septic Shock
Current Vascular Pharmacology Biomarker-Detection Technologies for Comprehensive Medical Diagnosis During Deep-Space Missions
Recent Patents on Space Technology Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies: Strategies and Challenges for Biosimilars Development
Current Medicinal Chemistry Editorial (Thematic Issue: Nutrition and Immunology in Diabetes, Cancer and Infectious Diseases)
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Population Based Helicobacter pylori Screening and Eradication: Advances Versus Side Effects
Current Pharmaceutical Design Dry Powder Formulation of Plasmid DNA and siRNA for Inhalation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Molecular Mechanisms Underlying St. Johns Wort Drug Interactions
Current Drug Metabolism Bronchial Thermoplasty for Severe Asthma: From Past to Present and Future
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Plasticity of Neuroendocrine-Immune Interactions During Ontogeny: Role of Perinatal Programming in Pathogenesis of Inflammation and Stress- Related Diseases in Adults
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Ambient Pollution and COPD
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Editorial (Hot Topic: Drugs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Current Medicinal Chemistry Network Pharmacology of Ayurveda Formulation <i>Triphala</i> with Special Reference to Anti-Cancer Property
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening