Dry powder inhalation versus wet nebulisation delivery of antibiotics in cystic fibrosis patients

Inhalation of antipseudomonal antibiotics is a cornerstone in treating cystic fibrosis patients. It has shown to be effective in slowing down the process of pulmonary deterioration and decreasing the incidence of infectious exacerbations. The focus is now on innovating drug delivery devices, sometimes combined with specific drug formulations, which allow for the administration of large doses in a short time frame and in a reproducible way. Adaptive aerosol delivery devices are promising, but do not have a distinct position as yet because of the lack of long-term data. The position of dry powder inhalation of antibiotics in cystic fibrosis treatment is still confined to pilot studies. Until more clinical data are available, the suboptimal, conventional jet nebulisers are the mainstay in antipseudomonal inhalation therapy in cystic fibrosis. © 2007 Informa UK.