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Lactose composite carriers for respiratory delivery.
Paul M Young1, Philip Kwok, Handoko Adi
1Advanced Drug Delivery Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. py@pharm.usyd.edu.au
Composite lactose carriers, made from smaller subunits, effectively minimize drug adhesion and variability in dry powder inhalers (DPIs). This approach enhances drug aerosol performance for better formulation control.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Materials Science
Background:
- Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) rely on carrier particles to facilitate drug aerosolization.
- Drug-carrier adhesion is a critical factor influencing DPI performance and dose uniformity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate composite lactose carriers for minimizing drug-carrier adhesion and variability.
- To assess the impact of composite carriers on drug aerosol performance in DPI formulations.
Main Methods:
- Composite lactose carriers were fabricated by fusing smaller lactose subunits.
- Carrier properties (size, morphology, crystallinity, drug adhesion) were characterized.
- Drug aerosol performance of carrier-drug blends was evaluated.
Main Results:
- Composite carriers exhibited distinct surface morphology and physico-chemical properties compared to standard lactose.
- Surface roughness of composite carriers varied with initial lactose subunit size.
- Modified surface roughness influenced drug adhesion and subsequent drug aerosol performance.
Conclusions:
- Composite lactose carriers offer a strategy to control drug-carrier adhesion forces and reduce variability.
- This approach enables more precise control over drug formulation performance in DPIs.
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