Evaluation of Albuterol Sulfate with Low Global Warming Potential Propellants

Reformulating widely used inhaled medications with propellants with a lower global warming potential is an important strategy for improving the sustainability of respiratory therapies.

This paper presents experimental data for a reformulated propellant-only formulation of albuterol sulfate in HFA-152a, a relatively low global warming potential propellant. Aerodynamic particle size distribution data were generated and used to predict regional deposition of the albuterol sulfate. Drug absorption was predicted using a pharmacokinetic model. The results demonstrate the feasibility of producing a stable pressurized metered dose inhaler formulation of albuterol sulfate using HFA-152a. Central deposition behavior was observed to be comparable to a current commercial product (Ventolin).