Abstract: Effervescent powders comprising inhalable particles are disclosed, as are methods for preparing these powders. The inhalable carrier particles comprise an inorganic or organic carbonate, and an acid, and exhibit effervescence when exposed to water or humid air. The particles have a mass median aerodynamic diameter suitable for nasal, bronchial, or pulmonary administration. The inhalable particles may be used as carriers for active agents. The inhalable particles may also be used to enhance permeability of mucosal and surface barriers on an inner surface of the nose, mouth, airway, and/or lungs of a patient, as well as to loosen, thin, cleanse, and remove mucus and extrinsic surface materials from an inner surface of the nose, mouth, airway, and/or lungs of a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Effervescent powders comprising inhalable particles are disclosed, as are methods for preparing these powders. The inhalable carrier particles comprise an inorganic or organic carbonate, and an acid, and exhibit effervescence when exposed to water or humid air. The particles have a mass median aerodynamic diameter suitable for nasal, bronchial, or pulmonary administration. The inhalable particles may be used as carriers for active agents. The inhalable particles may also be used to enhance permeability of mucosal and surface barriers on an inner surface of the nose, mouth, airway, and/or lungs of a patient, as well as to loosen, thin, cleanse, and remove mucus and extrinsic surface materials from an inner surface of the nose, mouth, airway, and/or lungs of a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Respirable particles carrying active principles or diagnostics in nanoparticle form are created by mixing the nanoparticles with liquid carrier, then forming the resultant mixture into respirable particles. Spray-drying, freeze spray drying and drying followed by comminution may be used to create the respirable particles, which may be delivered to the lung via a dry powder inhaler. In one example, lactose was used as the excipient and spray-dried with two different types of nanoparticle: gelatin and poly butylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles. The incorporation of nanoparticles did not affect the respirable fraction of the carrier powders.