[Drug Output and Aerosol Characteristics of Different Jet Nebulisers for Adults While Simulating the Nebulisation of Salbutamol]. / Aerosolcharakteristika ausgewählter Druckluftvernebler für Erwachsene in Simulationsmodellen und Verneblung von Salbutamol.

AIM: Successful inhalation therapy with nebulisers depends on the amount and quality of the aerosol. Choosing a nebuliser requires knowledge of relevant aerosol characteristics. METHODS: We analysed the aerosol performance of 9 commercially available jet nebulisers in 2 in vitro simulation models by assessing the aerosol delivery of albuterol (Sultanol forte® Inhalation Solution 2.5 mg/2.5 ml; GSK) over 4 minutes. The output parameters were analysed with PARI Compas II breath simulator mimicking an adult breathing pattern (Ph.Eur.9.0; n = 5/6 nebulisation), and the aerodynamic particle size distribution was determined by the Next Generation Impactor (Ph.Eur.9.0, Copley Scientific; n = 3 nebulisation). RESULTS: The aerosol performance of the devices differed considerably. The DDR varied from 196 µg/min (PARI LC Sprint (blue)) to 67 µg/min (MIDINEB). The Respirable Drug Delivery Rate (RDDR), calculated from the DDR and the Fine Particle Fraction ≤ 5 µm, varied by a factor of 3.5 between the nebulisers tested. CONCLUSION: The results of the in vitro simulation studies can be utilised to select an appropriate nebuliser for the individual patient. In order to enhance therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, a nebuliser with a high RDDR should be selected.