Spherical agglomerates of lactose as potential carriers for inhalation.

Abstract We report here on spherical lactose agglomerates as potential carriers for inhalation applications. Micromeritic properties of three spherical lactose agglomerates (SA-A, SA-B, SA-C) and a standard lactose inhalation grade carrier (Lactohale 100; LH100) were evaluated and compared. Ordered mixtures with micronized salbutamol sulfate as the model active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and lactose carriers at two drug loadings (2 wt%, 5 wt%) were prepared, and in-vitro aerosolization performance was assessed. The spherical crystallization process led to particles with tailored micromeritic properties. These had larger specific surface area and greater fine fraction