PARTICLES FOR INHALATION HAVING SUSTAINED RELEASE PROPERTIES

摘要

The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnostic and effective amount of particles comprising a multivalent metal cation which is complexed with a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent of any combination thereof having a charge capable of complexing with the cation upon association with the agent, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally, a multivalent metal cation-containing component wherein the total amount of multivalent metal cation present in the particles is more than 1% weight/weight of the total weight of the agent (%w/w). Release of the agent from the administrated particles occurs in a sustained fashion.