The use of excipients to stabilise pressurised metered dose inhalers

This thesis concerns investigations of novel pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) formulations containing tiotropium (Tio) in association with a secondary particulate (SP). A number of formulation and hardware variables were studied using in vitro methods to determine their influence on the performance of these novel formulations. Initial studies indicated that Tio was practically insoluble in HFA propellants and its solubility was not increased under raised moisture levels during long-term stability tests. Formulations with L-leucine (Leu) or lactose (Lac) as SP’s were investigated in Tio:SP ratios ranging from 1:2.5 to 1:25 and with different SP sieve fractions from <20 μm to <63 μm. Many formulations demonstrated improved aerosol characteristics compared with Tio alone, particularly in through life performance (TLP). The inclusion of fine SP’s (