In Vitro Analysis of Aerodynamic Properties and Co-Deposition of a Fixed-Dose Combination of Fluticasone Furoate, Umeclidinium Bromide, and Vilanterol Trifenatate

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Effective airway delivery of a fixed-dose combination of triple-aerosolized inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting beta agonist (LABA)/long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) is likely to positively affect therapeutic responses predicted in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study aimed to conduct in vitro fluticasone furoate, vilanterol trifenatate, and umeclidinium bromide depositions in a Next Generation Impactor. The aerodynamic properties of these inhaled medications influence the spatial distribution and drug abundance, particularly in the smaller airways, to reverse or alleviate disease pathology. Methods: The Next Generation Impactor was used to demonstrate the aerodynamic particle size distributions of fluticasone furoate, vilanterol trifenatate, and umeclidinium bromide delivered from a dry powder inhaler at different flow rates across all stages of the impactors. This in vitro study analyzed the distribution pattern of individual drug components to simulate mono-component deposition and co-deposition in the official model in the United States Pharmacopeia. An Andersen cascade impactor together with scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive X-ray was employed to observe the drug deposition on each stage of the impactor. Results: We found that the distribution pattern of each component at the same cascade level was comparable, and the aerosol particles of the three drugs reached the in vitro representation of the lower airway compartment. The specified flow rates generated the desired fine particle fraction, fine particle dose, and mass median aerodynamic diameter. Our results also demonstrated visualized deposition patterns of the delivered drugs from different stages of the cascade impactor that may predict deposition as it occurs in vivo. Conclusions: Spatial distribution and abundance of ICS/LABA/LAMA in the same cascade levels were closely comparable, and the aerosol particles were able to reach the small aerosol-sized cascades at the lower levels to some extent.