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NebuChamber® has been used to investigate lung deposition and systemic availability of Pulmicort® pMDI in children and adults (Anhøj et al, 2000). The study showed that there were no significant differences between children and adults in the dose delivered to the patient, the systemic exposure to budesonide (as measured by AUC), or the elimination half-life (Table). Since both the dose to patient and systemic exposure were similar in young children and adults, the systemic dose must have been increased in adults compared with children. This is probably due to the smaller lungs in children, which results in a lower lung deposition compared with adults. This suggests that it is not necessary to adjust the dose of budesonide to minimise the risk of systemic adverse effects in children when budesonide is delivered via pMDI plus NebuChamber. Pharmacokinetic parameters after inhalation of Pulmicort 400 µg via CFC pMDI with NebuChamber in children aged 2–3 or 4–6 years and adults (Anhøj et al, 2000). Results are presented as means and 95% confidence intervals.
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*Geometric mean, C20: plasma concentration at 20 min. Adapted from Anhøj et al (2000). Reference Anhøj J, et al. Lung deposition of inhaled drugs increases with age. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000;162:1819-22. |
