In vitro performance of two common valved holding chambers with a chlorofluorocarbon-free beclomethasone metered-dose inhaler.
OBJECTIVE
To compare in vitro aerosol deposition from a beclomethasone dipropionate metered-dose inhaler (MDI) containing hydrofluoroalkane propellant with that of the MDI in combination with two common valved holding chambers (VHCs) to evaluate how these VHCs affect the respirable dose of beclomethasone dipropionate.


METHODS
In vitro aerosol deposition study.


METHODS
University research center.


METHODS
Beclomethasone dipropionate hydrofluoroalkane MDI alone, the MDI with OptiChamber VHC, and the MDI with AeroChamber-Plus VHC.


METHODS
The respirable dose (1-5-microm aerosol particles) of beclomethasone dipropionate was determined by sampling 10 80-microg actuations from five runs with each configuration (MDI alone, MDI with OptiChamber, and MDI with AeroChamber-Plus), using a well-established in vitro cascade impactor method.


RESULTS
Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol was washed from the impactor with 50% methanol and quantified by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. Differences among outcomes were determined by using analysis of variance. Mean beclomethasone dipropionate respirable dose from AeroChamber-Plus (27.2 +/- 10.0 microg/actuation) was not significantly different (p>0.05) from that of the MDI alone (29.0 +/- 7.0 microg/actuation). OptiChamber respirable dose (12.8 +/- 6.0 microg/actuation) was less than half that produced by either the AeroChamber-Plus or the MDI alone (p=0.013).


CONCLUSIONS
The OptiChamber and AeroChamber-Plus VHCs do not demonstrate equivalent in vitro performance when used with a beclomethasone dipropionate MDI that contains hydrofluoroalkane propellant. The respirable dose of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol from the hydrofluoroalkane MDI was decreased by only 6% when the MDI was mated to an AeroChamber-Plus VHC and by 56% when used with an OptiChamber VHC.
Asmus
Michael J
MJ
Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0486, USA. asmus@cop.ufl.edu
Coowanitwong
Intira
I
Kwon
Soo Hun
SH
Khorsand
Nakisa
N
Hochhaus
Günther
G
D000335:Aerosol Propellants; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004867:Equipment Design; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D005466:Fluorocarbons
D000335:Aerosol Propellants; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001507:Beclomethasone; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; C094049:apaflurane; D005466:Fluorocarbons