inhalationsformer

Inhalationsformer, or inhalation dosage form, is a category of pharmaceutical formulations designed for administration to the respiratory tract by inhalation. The aim is to deliver active substances directly to the lungs for local therapeutic effects or to achieve systemic absorption through pulmonary epithelium. Inhalationsformer encompasses a range of formulations, including aerosols, nebulized solutions, suspensions, and dry powder formulations intended to be inhaled rather than ingested.

Delivery is achieved with devices such as pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), soft mist inhalers (SMIs), and nebulizers. These devices differ in how they generate and administer the aerosol or powder. A key design parameter is particle size, typically about 1–5 micrometers, which influences where in the airways deposition occurs. Formulations may include stabilizers, surfactants, and, in the case of pMDIs, propellants to ensure dose consistency and dispersibility.

Applications span respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as other conditions where pulmonary delivery is advantageous. Some inhalation products have been explored for systemic delivery of certain drugs, though approved systemic inhaled therapies remain comparatively limited and development continues.

Regulatory and manufacturing considerations emphasize control over aerodynamic performance, delivered dose, content uniformity, and stability. Device-specific factors, such as the patient’s inhalation flow rate and technique, also influence therapeutic outcomes. Proper patient training and device selection are important to maximize efficacy and minimize local or systemic adverse effects.