Purpose: To assess the physicochemical characteristics and aerosol properties of suspensions of lipid-coated budesonide microcrystals dispersed in HFA-134a.

Methods: Lipid-coated budesonide microcrystals were prepared by spray-drying an emulsion-based feedstock. Physicochemical characteristics of spray-dried particles were assessed by electron microscopy, laser diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. Purity and content were determined by reverse-phase HPLC. Particle aggregation and suspension stability were assessed visually, and aerosol performance was assessed by Andersen cascade impaction and dose content uniformity.

Results: Spray-drying of micronized budesonide microcrystals in the presence of phospholipid-coated emulsion droplets results in the production of low-density lipid-coated microcrystals with low surface energy. These spray-dried particles form stable suspensions in HFA-134a. This translates into good uniformity in the metered dose across the contents of the inhaler and acceptable aerodynamic particle size distributions (MMAD = 3.2 to 3.4 microm). The formulation was observed to maintain its performance over 6 months at 40 degrees C/75% RH and 16 months at 25 degrees C/60% RH. No effect of storage orientation was observed on the content of first sprays following storage (i.e., no Cyr effect). The fine particle dose was found to be linear out to suspension concentrations of about 2% wt/vol, and FPD(4.7 microm) values approaching 400 microg can be delivered in a single inhalation.

Conclusions: Engineered particles comprised of lipid-coated microcrystals may provide an acceptable alternative formulation technology for metered dose inhalers in the new hydrofluoroalkane propellants.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/b:pham.0000041455.13980.f1DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

budesonide microcrystals
16
metered dose
12
microcrystals dispersed
8
physicochemical characteristics
8
lipid-coated budesonide
8
spray-dried particles
8
lipid-coated microcrystals
8
months degrees
8
microcrystals
6
dose
5

Similar Publications

Purpose: To assess the physicochemical characteristics and aerosol properties of suspensions of lipid-coated budesonide microcrystals dispersed in HFA-134a.

Methods: Lipid-coated budesonide microcrystals were prepared by spray-drying an emulsion-based feedstock. Physicochemical characteristics of spray-dried particles were assessed by electron microscopy, laser diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!