AEROSOL ADMINISTRATION OF ANTIBIOTICS

Aerosol administration of antibiotics is an attractive approach to the treatment of the recurrent respiratory infections experienced by pati ents suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). Through aerosol administrati on, drugs can, theoretically, be delivered directly to the target site of infection, i.e. the lumen of the lower respiratory tract, thus ena bling smaller doses to be given. This, in turn, should result in reduc ed costs and decreased potential for systemic toxicity. The efficacy o f aerosol antibiotic therapy is, however, influenced by numerous varia bles, including the type of nebulizer device used to deliver the aeros ol, the drug's physical properties, its concentration in the aerosol a nd particle size, carrier gas and patient factors. The efficacy of aer osol antibiotics in the treatment of CF is controversial. This appears to be due mainly to problems and inconsistencies with clinical trials . However, various antibiotics, including beta-lactams, polymyxins and aminoglycosides, have demonstrated clinical benefits when administere d by inhalation to CF patients.