Electrostatic charge on a plastic spacer device influences the delivery of salbutamol

Abstract

E El le ec ct tr ro os st ta at ti ic c c ch ha ar rg ge e o on n a a p pl la as st ti ic c s sp pa ac ce er r d de ev vi ic ceABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine whether electrostatic charge on a plastic spacer decreases the delivery of salbutamol from a pressurized metereddose inhaler (pMDI) and, if so, to find an optimal and practical treatment to remove the charge. Ten single actuations from a salbutamol pMDI were drawn through different Volumatic® spacers at a constant flow of 60 L·min -1 . The efficacies of different methods of removing charge were tested, including detergent coating of the spacers. A multistage liquid impinger was used to determine the particle size distribution of the output of the pMDI through the Volumatic® spacers. The electrostatic charge on the inner surface of the spacers was measured both quantitatively with an electrometer, and qualitatively by the attraction of a thin strip of cellulose membrane to the wall of the spacer. Each experiment was repeated four times.Ionic detergent coating of the spacers removed the charge for at least 24 h. This resulted in an increase of 55-70% in small particle (<6.8 µm) delivery compared to delivery from new spacers with high charge.We have demonstrated that electrostatic charge plays a major role in the delivery of salbutamol through plastic spacers. Adequate treatment with ionic detergent removes the charge and improves drug delivery.

Washing plastic spacers in household detergent reduces electrostatic charge and greatly improves delivery

“…The in vitro studies confirm and extend the authors' previous work [8,10]. Coating a plastic spacer with an ionic detergent is a simple method of reducing electrostatic charge, thereby increasing the in vitro drug delivery.…”

“…However, the authors' previous in vitro work [8,10] has demonstrated that detergent coating improves the delivery of salbutamol through different plastic spacers (Aerochamber1, Babyhaler1, Babyspacer1, Nebuhaler1, and Volumatic), confirming that electrostatic charge plays a major role. A low-volume metal spacer [21] has been developed to eliminate the problem of static charge, but in view of the present results and the issues of cost and availability, a simple plastic spacer may remain the device of choice worldwide.…”

“…There was a good correlation between label and drug delivery, particularly for stages 3 and 4: the mean output of particles <6. 8 ) on all detergent-coated spacers. Comparison of lung deposition of salbutamol after inhalation through an electrostatic and non-electrostatically charged spacer is shown for each subject in figure 3.…”

Use of Aerosol Drug Therapy in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

“…Dolayısıyla haznelerin üretici firmanın tavsiyeleri doğrultusunda haftada bir kere yıkanması tavsiye edilir. Haznenin ilk kullanımından önce deterjanlı suyla yıkanması onda mevcut olan elektrostatik şarjı azaltacak ve cihazın tedavideki etkinliğini arttıra-caktır (25,26).…”

Salbutamol in asthma treatment: with nebulizer or inhaler?

“…Fakat basit ve pratik bir yöntem olan aracı tüpün yüzeyini gün-de bir iyonik deterjan ile kaplamanın akciğere ulaşan ilaç miktarını %50-70 oranında artırdığı ve akciğere giden ilaç miktarının belirlenmesinde elektrostatik yükü ortadan kaldırmanın ilaç akım hızından daha önemli olduğu ortaya konmuştur. Ayrıca, yeni kullanılmaya baş-lanan tüplerin daha fazla elektrostatik yük içermesin-den dolayı kullanımda olan eski aracı tüplere göre hastaya ulaşan ilaç miktarında anlamlı bir azalmaya neden olduğu, aracı tüpü kullandıktan sonra sadece su ile yı-kamanın elektrostatik yükü azaltmadığı ve dolayısıyla hastaya ulaşan ilaç miktarını azalttığı, aracı tüpün iç yüzeyini alüminyum folyo ile kaplamanın iyonik deterjanla maruziyete benzer şekilde elektrostatik yükü anlamlı oranda azalttığı gösterilmiştir (12,13).…”