Journal of aerosol medicine and pulmonary drug delivery
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J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv · Sep 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyAerosolization of tobramycin (TOBI) with the PARI LC PLUS reusable nebulizer: which compressor to use? Comparison of the CR60 to the PortaNeb compressor.
Aerosol output, aerosol output rate, and aerosol size distribution are influenced by the compressed air flow rate through the nebulizer cup. Testing a nebulizer-compressor with a drug for inhalation in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is mandatory prior to starting therapy. Tobramycin solution for inhalation (TSI), TOBI, is licensed in Europe with a recommendation for a "suitable" compressor connected to the PARI LC Plus nebulizer. ⋯ A shorter nebulization time for CR60 of 13.2 min compared to PN 16.1 min (p = 0.022) was observed, which was the main reason why patients preferred the CR60 (n = 7). No toxic serum levels were reached after inhalation of TSI. The CR60 compressor may seem advantageous based on a higher lung deposition and a shorter nebulization time, but a study in a large CF population to provide information on a possible higher risk of toxicity of TSI is called for.