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Review

Dry powder inhalers in COPD, lung inflammation and pulmonary infections

, & , PhD
Pages 947-962 | Published online: 12 Nov 2014
 

Abstract

Introduction: The number of pulmonary diseases that are effectively treated by aerosolized medicine continues to grow.

Areas covered: These diseases include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung inflammatory diseases (e.g., asthma) and pulmonary infections. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) exhibit many unique advantages that have contributed to the incredible growth in the number of DPI pharmaceutical products. To improve the performance, there are a relatively large number of DPI devices available for different inhalable powder formulations. The relationship between formulation and inhaler device features on performance of the drug–device combination product is critical. Aerosol medicine products are drug–device combination products. Device design and compatibility with the formulation are key drug–device combination product aspects in delivering drugs to the lungs as inhaled powders. In addition to discussing pulmonary diseases, this review discusses DPI devices, respirable powder formulation and their interactions in the context of currently marketed DPI products used in the treatment of COPD, asthma and pulmonary infections.

Expert opinion: There is a growing line of product options available for patients in choosing inhalers for treatment of respiratory diseases. Looking ahead, combining nanotechnology with optimized DPI formulation and enhancing device design presents a promising future for DPI development.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge The College of Pharmacy Graduate Fellowship (The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA) support awarded to P Muralidharan.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Notes

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