6533b871fe1ef96bd12d19c5

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Inhalation solutions: which one are allowed to be mixed? Physico-chemical compatibility of drug solutions in nebulizers.

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AbstractTherapy of chronic respiratory diseases often involves inhalation therapy with nebulizers. Patients often attempt to shorten the time consuming administration procedure by mixing drug solutions/suspensions for simultaneous inhalation. This article considers the issue of physico-chemical compatibility of admixtures of drug solutions/suspensions in nebulizers.A search of databases, prescribing information and primary literature was conducted to locate literature concerning the physico-chemical compatibility of inhalation solutions/suspensions. This was supplemented by telephone interviews.Admixtures of albuterol with ipratropium and/or cromolyn, of albuterol and budesonide, or tobramycin, or colistin are physico-chemically compatible. Physico-chemical compatibility has been demonstrated for admixtures of cromolyn with albuterol and/or ipratropium and for admixtures of cromolyn and budesonide. Admixtures of budesonide with ipratropium and/or fenoterol, and admixtures of budesonide and albuterol, or cromolyn are physico-chemically compatible. Both cromolyn and colistin are incompatible with benzalkonium chloride. Admixtures should be prepared from inhalation solutions/suspensions formulated without preservatives.Besides studies of the physico-chemical compatibility, the aerodynamic behaviour of physico-chemical mixtures needs to be studied before a final recommendation of simultaneous nebulization of compatible admixtures can be made.