PARTICLE-SIZE OF BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE PRODUCED BY 2 NEBULIZERS AND 2 SPACING DEVICES

An impactor method was used to assess the amount of beclomethasone dipropionate in particles less than 5 μm produced by two nebulisers (Pari Inhalierboy, Medix Traveller compressor with cirrhus nebuliser chamber) and two spacer devices (Volumatic and Nebuhaler). After nebulisation of 3 ml (150 μg) beclomethasone diproprionate the amount of drug in particles less than 5 μm was 16 μg (GSD 1.1) with the Pari Inhalierboy, and 27 μg (1.4) with the Medix Traveller with cirrhus nebuliser. This was less than the amount in particles less than 5 μm after three metered dose inhaler actuations (150 μg) from the Nebuhaler (58.2 (1) μg) or the Volumatic spacer (46.5 (1)μg). The greater amount of beclomethasone dipropionate in small particles with administration from a metered dose inhaler with a spacer device means that considerably more drug is likely to reach the airways than when the same dose is given by the two nebulisers studied.