Use of inhaled tobramycin in cystic fibrosis.

Abstract

Chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with poor outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). It leads to a reduced quality of life, acceleration of the decline in lung function, and increased frequency and severity of pulmonary exacerbations. Tobramycin, administered by inhalation as a long-term therapy, decreases bacterial density in airways, reduces exacerbation frequency, and improves quality of life and lung function in patients with chronic P. aeruginosa infection. In the last decade, tobramycin inhalation has become an important contributor to CF treatment as a means to control chronic infection and as a first-line treatment for the eradication of early acquisition of P. aeruginosa. Recently, a dry powder inhalation (DPI) form of tobramycin has become available, which is more convenient for administration and has comparable efficacy to the tobramycin solution. This DPI, the Podhaler™ (Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA), requires less time for treatment delivery and is more portable than a nebulizer, and so is a welcome additional therapeutic option for many patients.

• Authors: Michal Shteinberg, J Stuart Elborn
• Journal: Advances in therapy (Adv Ther) Vol. 32 Issue 1 Pg. 1-9 (Jan 2015) ISSN: 1865-8652 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25620537 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Tobramycin

Topics

• Administration, Inhalation
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (administration & dosage)
• Cystic Fibrosis (complications, diagnosis, psychology)
• Dry Powder Inhalers (methods)
• Humans
• Pseudomonas Infections (drug therapy, etiology)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa (drug effects, isolation & purification)
• Quality of Life
• Respiratory Function Tests
• Tobramycin (administration & dosage)
• Treatment Outcome