Peak inspiratory flow through the Genuair® inhaler in patients with moderate or severe COPD

The Genuair® inhaler is a new multidose dry powder inhaler for the delivery of aclidinium bromide – a novel, long-acting, muscarinic antagonist in development for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The primary aim of this study was to assess the inspiratory flow characteristics through Genuair® in patients with moderate or severe COPD.

Using a three-period cross-over design, 48 patients were randomised to inhale placebo powder through Genuair®, HandiHaler® A (slow, deep inhalation as per manufacturer's instructions) or HandiHaler® B (fast, forceful inhalation). Three measurements of peak inspiratory flow (PIF), 10min apart, were recorded for each method of administration.

The highest and average PIFs for the three attempts (mean±standard deviation) generated through the Genuair® inhaler were 97.7±15.7 and 92.0±15.4L/min, respectively. Furthermore, 97% of inhalations with the Genuair® inhaler were successful (activation of trigger threshold mechanism) and optimal (PIF≥45L/min). The highest and average PIFs generated through HandiHaler® A and B were significantly lower than with the Genuair® inhaler.

In conclusion, patients with moderate or severe COPD were able to generate sufficient inspiratory airflow through the Genuair® inhaler to reliably inhale the full dose and reset the inhaler.