Targeting the nasal cavity in rhinitis and sinusitis

Successful aerosol therapy depends mainly on targeting an adequate dose of drug to the appropriate receptors in the respiratory tract. Over the last years, major innovations have occurred in the delivery of inhaled drugs to the lungs. Despite the fact that more individuals suffer from rhinitis or sinusitis than from asthma or COPD, research into nasal delivery of aerosolized drugs remains scarce. Knowledge of the delivered dose, its regional distribution, and the manner in which drug targeting may be affected by nasal anatomy, air flow and disease condition is very important. Challenges to delivery of aerosolized medications to appropriate targets in the nasal cavity have been scarcely considered. A less-than-optimal technique can result in decreased delivery, reduced efficacy, increased risk of side-effects and high drug wasting. Knowledge of the actual dose and the site of deposition of the delivered drug would permit precise assessment of the relative performance of the delivery systems employed for a specific drug. Optimal physical aerosol characteristics and patient delivery profiles need to be definitively researched for each inhaled drug. There is a strong need to develop new engineered drug inhalation devices well-matched with improved drug formulations for the treatment of rhinitis or sinusitis.