title: Aerosol therapy for asthma.
abstract: Inhaled drugs play an important role in asthma management. The correct use of an appropriate delivery device is necessary to achieve the desired therapeutic effects of the drug. Currently, chlorofluorocarbon-propelled metered-dose inhalers, with or without spacers, are the most popular aerosol delivery devices. With the planned phase out of the chlorofluorocarbon metered-dose inhalers, the use of other delivery devices is being emphasized. To achieve optimal therapeutic effects, the drug and the delivery device should be considered a "couple". Aerosol delivery devices should provide an adequate "drug dose to the lung", be cost effective, simple to operate, minimize oropharyngeal deposition and systemic side effects, and match the patient's requirements. A new generation of aerosol delivery devices, incorporating the latest advances in aerosol technology, is likely to fulfill many of the goals mentioned above.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University of Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dhand
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017402:Chlorofluorocarbons; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D017402:Chlorofluorocarbons