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Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System
Published on: April 6, 2017
Pharmacokinetic Considerations of Inhaled Pharmaceuticals for Systemic Delivery
Xiao Hu, Fei-Fei Yang, Yong-Hong Liao1
1Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 100193, Beijing, China. yhliao@implad.ac.cn.
Background:
Systemic pulmonary delivery is considered to have advantages over oral or intravenous administration for certain drugs.
Methods:
In this article, we review the effects of intrinsic drug properties and drug loading carriers on the pharmacokinetic parameters of inhaled drugs in the context of use in systemic pulmonary delivery.
Results:
The delivery of drugs via inhalation can be advisable to achieve a fast onset of action; enhance the systemic bioavailability of drugs with poor oral absorption, including peptides and proteins; avoid invasive administration and improve patient compliance. To optimize the functioning of this delivery system, there is high demand for a systematic understanding of the pharmacokinetic characteristics, which are closely related to the pharmacodynamic and toxicological effects.
Conclusion:
The pharmacokinetic parameters of inhaled drug products are affected by many factors, including physiological and pathological variables and the intrinsic drug and formulation properties.
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