Use of Respimat Soft Mist inhaler in COPD patients.
Events of the past decade have stimulated development of new drug formulations and delivery devices that have improved the efficiency, ease of use, and environmental impact of inhaled drug therapy. Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler is a novel, multidose, propellant-free, hand-held, liquid inhaler that represents a new category of inhaler devices. The aerosol cloud generated by Respimat contains a higher fraction of fine particles than most pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs), and the aerosol spray exits the inhaler more slowly and for a longer duration than with pMDIs. This translates into higher lung drug deposition and lower oropharyngeal deposition, making it possible to give lower nominal doses of delivered drugs without lowering efficacy. In clinical trials in patients with COPD, bronchodilator drugs delivered from Respimat were equally effective at half of the dose delivered from a pMDI. In one study of inhaler preference, Respimat was preferred over the pMDI by patients with COPD and other obstructive lung diseases. Respimat is a valuable addition to the range of inhaler devices available to the patient with COPD.
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 4301 W. Markham, Slot 555, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. PJAnderson@uams.edu
Paula
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Anderson
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents