Unlike conventional metered-dose inhalers (MDI), Fultide® is a dry powder inhaler for which a sufficient diffusion of the drug into the lung requires an inhalation rate higher than that for MDIs. In this study, we determined the inhalation rate, inhalation time and inhaled volume using a spirometer based on the instructions for inhalation provided by the manufacturers. We assessed the possibility of problems with the Fultide® Diskhaler® both in terms of the inhalation rate and the results of pulmonary function tests in elderly patients and those who had a poor pulmonary function. In addition, we checked the amount of the drug that remained in the blister in order to investigate how many times patients could inhale it completely.
As a result of our investigation, we found that all patients in this study had a satisfactory inhalation rate of greater than 60L/min, which achieved sufficient diffusion of the drug into the lung. The inhalation rate did not change with age. In the pulmonary function tests, there was a significant difference between the asthmatic and COPD groups in %FEV1.0, but not in the inhalation rate. These results indicate that the Fultide® Diskhaler® can be useful even in elderly patients or in those with a poor pulmonary function.
Regarding the number of inhalations required to completely empty the drug remaining in the blister, 90% of the patients were able to inhale the drug completely within three inhalations, regardless of their age and the type of disease. Accordingly, instructions for patients should stipulate the need to make at least three inhalations per blister.
