Assessment of High-Power Electronic Nicotine Delivery System as an Alternative Aerosol Device for Terbutaline Delivery.

Purpose: The performance of new-generation high-power electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) for the administration of inhaled terbutaline was assessed.

Methods: The formulation of e-liquid was carried out using terbutaline in combination with 1, 3- propanediol. Several terbutaline concentrations (from 0.3125 to 2.500 mg / mL) and power levels (from 15 to 35 W) were assessed using a box type ENDS. The respirable drug dose was determined using a Glass Twin Impinger and quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with a UV-detector. The Next Generation Impactor and the Dekati Low Pressure Impactor were used to measure the aerosol particle size distribution in drug mass. The results were compared with a jet nebulizer (Cirrus TM 2) similar to the usual clinical conditions (2 mL at [terbutaline] of 2.5 mg / mL).

Results: The optimal conditions to maximize terbutaline delivery using ENDS are a drug concentration at 1 mg/mL, and a power level at 30 W, to reach a respirable dose of 8.73 ± 0.90 µg/puff. By contrast, during a 5 min nebulization, the respirable dose of terbutaline was 1040 ± 33 µg whatever the cascade impactors and the aerosol devices used. The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) remains similar for jet nebulizer and ENDS in the 1.74-2.07 µm range.

Conclusion: Compared to the jet nebulizer, a same respirable dose of terbutaline at the same range of aerosol size distribution was delivered by ENDS if 120 puffs were performed. The ENDS can be considered as an alternative aerosol device for terbutaline delivery.