Improvement of QVAR delivery through a better sorting of drug particles: development of an innovative and easy-to-use spacer

Introduction: QVAR® (beclomethasone dipropionate) is one of the most prescribed therapy for mild, moderate and severe asthma. While QVAR® inhaler was designed to select extra-fine particles, patients must have a good hand-lung coordination and the inhaler misuse and or poor coordination may have deleterious effects triggered by oropharyngeal deposition and systemic absorption of QVAR®.1 An innovative and cleanable spacer [TipsHaler®] had been developed to counteract these side effects and optimize deep lung deposition of QVAR®. Material & Methods: QVAR® deposition profiles were determined in vitro, with a next generation impactor (Copley), according to the European Pharmacopeia guidelines. Five doses of QVAR® (100 µg/dose, TEVA) were administered at a frequency of 1 dose per minute with a pMDI alone or a pMDI combined with a spacer [TipsHaler®]. QVAR® was assayed through UV-spectrophotometry (238 nm). Possibility to sterilize or disinfect the spacer was assessed by autoclaving (134°C, 4 min) or isopropanol treatment (100%, 5 min), respectively. Results: The use of a spacer [TipsHaler®] led to a significant decrease of larger particle deposition without modifying the amount of extra-fine particles (diameter Conclusion: We developed an innovative spacer [TipsHaler®] providing an efficient sorting of drug particles to limit QVAR® deposition in proximal airways. Possibility to autoclave or disinfect the spacer is a strong asset for multi-patient use. Reference: 1. Vanden Burgt et al., J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 106, 1209–1226 (2000).