Lung Deposition of a Nacystelyn Metered Dose Inhaler Formulation

Abstract

ABSTRACT The lung deposition of a metered dose inhaler formulation of the mucolytic drug nacystelyn has been assessed in six healthy subjects. The drug particles were radiolabelled with technetium 99m and a dose of 2mg nacystelyn administered to each subject from a single actuation. Images of the deposition were recorded using a gamma camera. Dosing was carried out on two occasions, with and without attachment of a spacer to the actuator. Without the spacer, on average, 12.3% of the dose deposited in the lungs. This was reduced to 9.3% when the spacer was used. The distribution of the tracer within the lungs was unaffected by the use of the spacer: 38% peripheral deposition without and 41% with the spacer. The spacer reduced the oropharyngeal deposition from 65.3% to 9.4% of the dose. This study has shown that this formulation can be used to deliver nacystelyn to the lungs in a reproducible manner.