Fourteen mild-to-moderate asthmatic patients completed a randomized four-way crossover scintigraphic study to determine the lung deposition of 200 microg budesonide inhaled from a Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler (Respimat SMI), 200 microg budesonide inhaled from a Turbuhaler dry powder inhaler (Turbuhaler DPI, used with fast and slow peak inhaled flow rates), and 250 microg beclomethasone dipropionate inhaled from a pressurized metered dose inhaler (Becloforte pMDI). Mean (range) whole lung deposition of drug from the Respimat SMI (51.6 [46-57]% of the metered dose) was significantly (p < 0.001) greater than that from the Turbuhaler DPI used with both fast and slow inhaled flow rates (28.5 [24-33]% and 17.8 [14-22]%, respectively) or from the Becloforte pMDI (8.9 [6-12]%). The deposition pattern within the lungs was more peripheral for Respimat SMI than for Turbuhaler DPI. The results of this study showed that Respimat SMI deposited corticosteroid more efficiently in the lungs than either of two widely used inhaler devices, Turbuhaler DPI or Becloforte pMDI.

Inhalation of ciclesonide via HFA-MDI results in high pulmonary deposition, especially in the peripheral regions of the lung. High pulmonary deposition contributes to ciclesonide's ability to maintain lung function and control symptoms in patients with asthma. Deposition and activation of ciclesonide in the oropharynx is low, consistent with previous reports of low oropharyngeal deposition and a reduced incidence of local side effects in patients receiving ciclesonide therapy.

A variety of inhaler devices are available for delivering treatments to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and new inhalers are currently being developed. Each type of device has advantages and disadvantages, and the methods of preparation and use vary between them. The differences in instructions for use can easily confuse patients and health providers alike, resulting in incorrect use of many inhalers. ''Crucial'' errors in inhaler technique, whereby no drug is deposited in the lungs, must be avoided. Any type of inhaler can be misused so that little or no drug is deposited in the lungs. It is now increasingly widely recognised that a successful treatment outcome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease depends as much on the inhaler device as it does on the drug. Inhaler choice in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should take into account whether the patient is likely to use it correctly, as well as patient preference and the likelihood of adherence to treatment.

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The effect on aerosol deposition from a pressurised metered dose inhaler of a 750 cm3 spacer device with a one way inhalation valve (Nebuhaler, Astra Pharmaceuticals) was assessed by means of an in vivo radiotracer technique. Nine patients with obstructive lung disease took part in the study. The pattern of deposition associated with use of a metered dose inhaler alone was compared with that achieved with the spacer used both for inhalation of single puffs of aerosol and for inhalation of four puffs actuated in rapid succession and then inhaled simultaneously. On each occasion there was a delay of 1 s between aerosol release and inhalation, simulating poor inhaler technique. With the metered dose inhaler alone, a mean (SEM) (1-8)% of the dose reached the lungs and 80*9 (1 9)% was deposited in the oropharynx. With single puffs from the spacer 20-9 (1.6)% of the dose (p < 0.01) reached the lungs, only 16-5 (2.3)% (p < 0.01) was deposited in the oropharynx, and 55-8 (3 1)% was retained within the spacer itself. With four puffs from the spacer 15-2 (1.5)% reached the lungs (p = 0-02 compared with the metered dose inhaler alone, p < 0-01 compared with single puffs from the spacer), 11-4 (1.2)% was deposited in the oropharynx, and 67*5 (1.8)% in the device itself. It is concluded that the spacer device gives lung deposition of metered dose aerosols comparable to or greater than a correctly used inhaler and oropharyngeal deposition is greatly reduced. The spacer should be used preferably for the inhalation of single puffs of aerosol but may also be used for the inhalation of up to four puffs actuated in rapid succession and then inhaled simultaneously.Metered dose inhalers have several advantages for respiratory treatment as they contain several hundred doses and are compact, unobtrusive, and apparently easy to use. The spray from a metered dose inhaler consists, however, of rapidly moving, large propellant droplets, most of which impact in the oropharynx, only about 10% penetrating into the bronchial tree.' 2 This small proportion may be further reduced by poor inhaler technique. Many patients misuse their inhalers,3 and failure to synchronise firing of the aerosol with inhalation is probably the most widespread problem.45