OPTIMISATION OF SALBUTAMOL SUSPENSION AS METERED DOSE INHALATION (MDI) AND COMPARISON WITH A MARKETED MDI SUSPENSION

The direct delivery of therapeutically active drug to the pulmonary tract has proved to be a life saving tool for many Asthmatics. Salbutamol being a drug of choice in severe Asthma attacks, in the present study attempt was made to prepare MDI of Salbutamol in suspension formulation and compare it with the marketed MDI of salbutamol suspension.  The proportion of C.F.C. propellant blend (p11 & p12) in 30:70 proportion gave optimum vapor pressure; in the range of 70-75 psig was selected. Oleic acid was selected as a surfactant and its concentration was optimized. A series of physicochemical tests were performed simultaneously on both the preparations. Results were compared. The formulations were further subjected to in-vitro evaluation whereby net respirable fraction was determined. Logic behind this study was to create a better suspension than that available in the market. In all qualitative as well as quantitative tests the formulated suspension was comparable with marketed MDI. However our formulation retained minimum amount of drug (8.57%) on adaptor compared to the marketed preparation (10.40%). This shows the maximum availability of the drug in the pulmonary tract.