Inhalations are drugs or combinations of drugs administered through
the nasal or oral respiratory route for local or systemic effect. These preparations
are designed to carry the drug into the respiratory tree of the patient where
its vapors give a prompt relief from symptoms of bronchial and nasal congestion.
Nebulizers are suitable for administration of inhalation solutions only if they
give droplets sufficiently fine and uniform in size so that the mist reaches
the bronchioles.
Inhalations include also
volatile and powdered medicaments and aerosols that are administered by the
respiratory route with the aid of appropriate device. Pressurized aerosols
produce fine mists hence possess basic advantages over the older nebulizers.
The term inhalation is used commonly by the layman to represent preparations
intended to be vaporized with the aid of heat, usually steam and inhaled.
Vaporizer is used with a number of commercial available preparations of this
type.
Example of Inhalations
1. Epinephrine
Inhalations, USP – It is a solution of epinephrine in purified water prepared
with the aid of hydrochloric acid. It contains in each 100 ml, 0.9 – 1.15 g of
C9H13NO3. It is used in therapy of bronchial
asthmatic attacks. It shrinks the congested bronchial musoca and relaxes the
bronchial musculature (adrenergic).
2. Isoproterenol
Hydrochloride Inhalation, USP – A solutions of isoproterenol hydrochloride in
purified water made isotonic by the addition of sodium chloride. It contains 95
– 105% of the labeled amount of C11H17NO3.HCl.
It is used as a bronchial dilator to treat asthma. It affords a complete relief
in mild or moderately severe asthma and is of value in status asthmaticus. Most
effective is inhalation of a suitable aerosol at the onset of attack.
3. Salbutamol
(Albuterol) Solution for Nebulization – It is an antiasthma drug which contains
1mg/ml of Salbutamol.
4. Budesonide
Inhalation Solution for Nebulization – It is an antiasthma drug which contains
250mcg/ml of budesonide.
5. Ipratropium
Inhalation Solution for Nebulization – It is an antiasthma drug which contains
250mcg/ml of ipratropium.
6. Fenoterol
+ Ipratropium Inhalation Solution for Nebulization – It is a combination of two
antiasthma drugs which contains 50mcg and 20mcg, respectively, per 4 ml
solution.
7. Salbutamol
+ Ipratropium Inhalation Solution for Nebulization – it is a combination of two
antiasthma drugs which contains 500mcg and 2.5mg, respectively, per 2.5ml of
solution.
Inhalants
According to the NF XII,
Inhalants are drugs or combination of drugs, which by virtue of their vapor
pressure, can be carried by an air current into the nasal passages where they
exert their effect. Inhaler is the device used for the administration of
inhalants.
It is another group of
products known also as inhalants or insufflation (but not official in the NF)
consists of finely powdered or liquid drugs that are carried into the
respiratory passages by the use of low pressure “aerosol” containers. The
containers hold a solution or suspension of the drug in a liquefied propellant and
when released through a suitable spray nozzle, a metered dose of the inhalant
is propelled into the respiratory tract of the patient.
The official preparation is
described as consisting of cylindrical rolls of suitable fibrous material
impregnated with propylhexedrine, usually aromatized and contained in a
suitable inhaler.
Example of Inhalants
- Propylhexedrine Inhalant, NF – It is a Benzedrex Inhaler consists of cylindrical rolls of suitable fibrous material impregnated with propylhexedrine usually aromatized and contained in a suitable inhaler. The inhaler contains 90 – 120% of the labeled amount of C10H21N.
- Salbutamol Metered Dose Inhalant – It is an inhalant which contains 100mcg of Salbutamol per actuation. It is used to treat asthma.
