Abstract

BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to determine the influences of electrostatic charge, flow, delay, and multiple actuations on the in vitro delivery of salbutamol generated by a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) from small volume spacers used in infants. METHODS: Ten actuations from a salbutamol pMDI were drawn at different flow rates after either single or multiple actuations, with or without delay, through either static or reduced static spacers. An ionic detergent was used to reduce the charge of plastic spacers (Babyhaler, Babyspacer, Aerochamber, Nebuhaler). Electrostatic charge was measured using an electrometer. A multistage liquid impinger was used to determine the particle size distribution of the output of the pMDI through the spacers. RESULTS: Electrostatic charge on the surface of plastic spacers had the greatest influence on delivery, causing a decrease in drug delivery. Reducing charge by coating the surface with ionic detergent resulted in an increase of 46.5-71.1% (p < 0.001) in small (< 6.8 microns) particle delivery from small volume plastic spacers. Lower flow, delay, and multiple actuations resulted in decreased delivery from static spacers. Lower flow resulted in a decrease of 15% in small (< 9.6 microns) particle delivery. Delay and multiple actuations resulted in a decrease of 40.7% and 76.0%, respectively, in small (< 6.8 microns) particle delivery. The influences of lower flow, delay, and multiple actuations were greatly reduced or even eliminated by reducing charge. However, multiple actuations still resulted in a significant decreased delivery (p < 0.05). The reduced static Nebuhaler had a higher delivery than all small volume spacers. CONCLUSIONS: Electrostatic charge has a major influence on the delivery of salbutamol from small volume spacers. Using a metal spacer or ionic detergent coating of plastic spacers resulted in no or reduced charge and hence in improved delivery. Lower flow, delay, and multiple actuations played a major part only in static spacers.