Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Nebulized pentamidine is commonly used to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in immunosuppressed patients. A specifically designed nebulizer is required to ensure deep lung deposition. The Respirgard II® is currently used as the reference device for pentamidine nebulization. However, all nebulizers with comparable properties could be used for the purpose.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This in vivo study aims at comparing the efficacy of lung delivery using a new nebulizer (ISO-NEB®) to that of the reference nebulizer.
METHODS: The study was conducted in 5 healthy subjects. Amikacin (500mg/4 mL) was nebulized during a single session of 10 minutes using either the ISO-NEB® or the Respirgard II® device. A wash-out period of one week was observed between both nebulizations. Urine was collected for 24 hours following nebulization. Total daily amounts of amikacin excreted in the urine (Cu max) were assesed and the elimination constants were calculated.
RESULTS: No difference in lung delivery dose was observed: the total daily amount of amikacin excreted in the urine (3.5% vs. 3.6%, p=0.893) and the elimination constant (0.159 vs. 0.130, p=0.225) were similar in the two tested devices.
CONCLUSION: Respirgard II® and ISO-NEB® have similar in vivo efficacies. ISO-NEB® can thus be considered a valuable alternative to the currently recommended nebulizer.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
