Distribution of monodisperse aerosols inhaled by children for determination of optimal therapeutic inhaler formulations

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Inhalers are the primary form of treatment for asthma, allowing the delivery of lower doses of medication directly to the lungs. Consistent daily use of these inhalers is often necessary to effectively control the symptoms of asthma. Inhalers are now increasingly used to treat infants with lung problems. Many of these inhalers are not designed for use by such young children, who may be unable to perform the breathing techniques necessary for effective use of these inhalers. Not all the drug inhaled by patients will end up in the lungs where it is needed; a large proportion is left in the mouth, throat and stomach. Our earlier studies have shown that there is a large amount of variability in the amount of drug received by children using inhalers. We intend to assess the important factors involved in improving the efficiency of inhaler therapy for children, such as the size of the inhaled particles and the breathing pattern of the child. The results obtained from this study will enable us to determine the best method of delivering these drugs to children so that they only receive the lowest effective dose for treatment of the symptoms of asthma while minimising unwanted effects.