Inhaled anti-infective chemotherapy for respiratory tract infections: successes, challenges and the road ahead

Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2015 May:85:65-82. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2014.11.004. Epub 2014 Nov 12.

Abstract

One of the most common causes of illnesses in humans is from respiratory tract infections caused by bacterial, viral or fungal pathogens. Inhaled anti-infective drugs are crucial for the prophylaxis and treatment of respiratory tract infections. The benefit of anti-infective drug delivery via inhalation is that it affords delivery of sufficient therapeutic dosages directly to the primary site of infection, while minimizing the risks of systemic toxicity or avoiding potential suboptimal pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics associated with systemic drug exposure. This review provides an up-to-date treatise of approved and novel developmental inhaled anti-infective agents, with particular attention to effective strategies for their use, pulmonary pharmacokinetic properties and safety.

Keywords: Antibiotics; Antifungals; Antivirals; Inhalation; Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics; Safety.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Delivery Systems / instrumentation
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / virology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antiviral Agents