A novel technique for the administration of bronchodilator drugs formulated as dry powders to the anaesthetized guinea pig

A technique is described for the administration of dry powder formulations of bronchodilator drugs to the anaesthetized guinea pig. The technique has been evaluated by comparing the efficacy of several bronchodilator drugs administered either as dry powders coformulated with a lactose carrier or as nebulized solutions. In each case, the dry powder formulation had comparable bronchodilator activity and duration of action to an equivalent dose administered as a nebulized solution. This technique offers a simple and inexpensive method for the rapid screening of bronchodilator drugs without the problems associated with aerosol administration.