Pulmonary Drug Delivery: A Simple Guide

Introduction 

Pulmonary drug delivery is a developing technology in which medication is inhaled through the mouth and allows for the drug to be targeted directly to the lower airways and lungs. The different types of pulmonary drug delivery methods include Metered Dose Inhalers, Dry Powder Inhalers, and Nebulizers. Pulmonary drug delivery has many advantages compared to other drug delivery strategies, such as rapid drug intake, its non-invasive nature. 

What is Pulmonary Drug Delivery? 

Pulmonary drug delivery is a unique form of applying medication via inhalation. The lower airways and lungs are able to be directly targeted when medication is inhaled through the mouth. The lung provides direct access to the respiratory disease in treatment.  

Why is Pulmonary Drug Delivery is Important? 

Pulmonary drug delivery is one of the most preferred drug delivery routes due to the large surface area of the lungs and their thin physical barrier for absorption. It provides direct access to the site of disease for the treatment of respiratory diseases without the inefficiencies and unwanted effects of systemic drug delivery.  

Pulmonary drug delivery provides a noninvasive, alternative method to subcutaneous injection, and intravenous injection. Inhaled medications have been available for many years to treat lung diseases and are widely accepted as being the optimal route of administration for therapy of asthma and obstructive pulmonary diseases. 

What Are the Different Types of Pulmonary Drug Delivery Systems? 

There are many different types of Pulmonary Drug Delivery methods that exist today. The increasing demand for new drugs to treat various health conditions has also impacted the pulmonary drug delivery market, pushing more effort and attention toward developing new delivery methods.   

Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI)  

Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI) are used for delivering medicines into the lungs through inhalation. The Metered Dose Inhaler is a pressurized canister of medicine that applies the drug directly into the person’s lungs in the form of a mist or spray.   

Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI) 

DPIs deliver medicine in the form of a dry powder, where the medicated particles are minuscule and can reach the smallest airways. 

Nebulizers  

Nebulizers are a type of breathing machine that lets you inhale medicated vapors. A nebulizer turns liquid medicine into a mist, which you breathe in through a connected mouthpiece. Nebulizer medicine also dissipates into the lungs faster, so it can enter the bloodstream more quickly to provide relief as fast as possible.  

How Was Pulmonary Drug Delivery Crucial during COVID-19? 

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, most confirmed cases of COVID developed into respiratory syndromes. In targeted drug delivery for pulmonary diseases, mostly, inhaler drugs are used to help with the care of COVID-19 patients and especially those in critical care.  

The inhalers can get the medicine directly into the person’s lungs, as the medicine is in the form of a mist or spray, and the medicine is in small particles to reach the small areas of the respiratory system. As a result, using Pulmonary Drug Delivery devices proved to be most effective in providing care for COVID-19 patients.  

In COVID-19, inflammation occurs in the peripheral regions of the lungs where alveoli are located. Corticosteroids (especially Inhaled Corticosteroids), which are basically anti-inflammatory agents, are widely used to treat this condition in the disease. Inhaled corticosteroids work by preventing certain cells in the lungs and breathing passages from releasing substances that cause asthma symptoms. This medicine may be used with other asthma medicines, such as a bronchodilator or taken through an inhaler.  

Gilero’s Experience with Pulmonary Drug Delivery Device 

 Gilero has worked on several different types of pulmonary drug delivery devices such as small capsule inhalers, complex inhalers, multi-dose capsule inhalers, dry powder nebulizer devices, soft mist inhalers, ventilators, and many more.  

Gilero has helped build the pulmonary drug delivery device market by assisting with the concept design and development of these devices, performing testing and Human Factors studies, building working prototypes, and supporting the continued development to prep these devices for clinical studies. From concept to commercialization, Gilero has the capabilities to take your pulmonary drug delivery device at any part of the process and be your trusted partner in your innovation.  

If you’re interested in developing your next pulmonary drug delivery device, contact us, today!