The Novolizer®: overcoming inherent problems of dry powder inhalers

AbstractFor most dry powder inhalers (DPIs) a defined minimal inspiratory flow must be achieved immediately after the start of the inspiration procedure, to avoid insufficient deposition in the lung and excessive drug deposition in the patient's mouth and/or oropharynx. The Novolizer® (VIATRIS GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt, Germany) provides a combination of technical features that ensure that every inhalation manoeuvre is performed with adequate inspiratory and sufficient drug particles are delivered to the patient's lung. One of these technical features is an inspiratory flow rate threshold triggering feedback mechanisms to the patient which confirm that an adequate inspiratory flow rate (minimum 35–50l/min) has been achieved. Correct inhalation manoeuvre is confirmed to the patient by optical, acoustic and taste feedback which is likely to improve patient compliance. The Novolizer® also delivers a high-quality aerosol (high fine particle fraction representing the proportion of respirable particles), provides a refillable cartridge system, an accurate dose counter, a low intrinsic resistance, and enables reliable and consistent dose delivery. The Novolizer® is at the cutting edge of inhalation technology and represents a major step forward in DPI design