Tetrafluoroethane (RFC 134A) Propellant-Driven Aerosols of Proteins

Abstract
Purpose. Develop metered-dose propellant-driven aerosols of proteins using tetrafluoroethane (HFC 134A) as propellant. Methods. Proteins were lyophilized with the propellant-soluble surfactants Triton X-100, Triton X-405, Laureth-9, Brij-30, Nonidet-40, and diethylene glycol monoethylether and then charged with propellants. Results. Small particle aerosols of the experimental protein bovine gamma globulin were produced. The fraction of aerosolized respirable-sized protein particles (Conclusions. Metered-dose aerosols of respirable-sized proteins can be generated using HFC 134A and HFC 134A:DME blended propellants as an alternative to nebulized aqueous aerosols for delivering peptide-based pharmaceuticals to the respiratory tract.