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Nebulizer Delivery of Micafungin Aerosols
Author(s) -
Alexander Barbara D.,
Winkler Thomas P.,
Shi Shuai,
Ashley Elizabeth S. Dodds
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.31.1.52
Subject(s) - nebulizer , micafungin , aerosolization , chemistry , cascade impactor , chromatography , medicine , inhalation , aerosol , antifungal , anesthesia , organic chemistry , amphotericin b , dermatology
Study Objectives. To determine the optimal nebulization system for aerosolizing micafungin and to further assess the physiochemical properties of aerosolized micafungin. Design. In vitro experiment. Setting. University research center. Nebulizers. Pari LC Star, Hudson Updraft, Small Volume Nebulizer, and Aeroclipse II. Measurements and Main Results. Using a commercially available cascade impactor, the four nebulizers were tested for their ability to deliver micafungin to the lungs. Mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and fine particle fraction (FPF) percent less than 3.3 μm (FPF 3.3 ) and less than 5.8 μm (FPF 5.8 ) were determined during two sampling periods for each of three trials of all nebulizers. The mean ± standard error of the mean MMAD for the nebulizers ranged from 1.93 ± 0.09 to 2.49 ± 0.25 μm; FPF 3.3 and FPF 5.8 were approximately 50% and 90%, respectively, for all nebulizers. Conclusion. Although all nebulizers appeared acceptable to deliver micafungin to the lungs, the Pari LC Star had the smallest MMAD and highest FPF 3.3 and FPF 5.8 . These properties of the Pari LC Star should result in greater delivery of the aerosol to the lungs. Additional research on pulmonary delivery and clinical tolerability is warranted.