Inhalation Devices and Pulmonary Drug Delivery

Inhaled drug delivery is mainly used to treat pulmonary airway disorders by transporting the drug directly to its targeted location for action. This decreases the dose required to exert a therapeutic effect and minimizes any potential adverse effects. Direct drug delivery to air passages facilitates a faster onset of action; it also minimizes irritation to the stomach, which frequently occurs with oral medications, and prevents the exposure of drugs to pre-systemic metabolism that takes place in the intestine and liver. In addition to that, the lung is regarded as a route for transporting medications throughout the entire body’s blood circulation. The type of medication and the device used to deliver it are both important elements in carrying the drug to its target in the lungs. Different types of inhalation methods are used in inhaled delivery. They differ in the dose delivered, inhalation technique, and other factors. This paper will discuss these factors in more detail.