SPRAY-DRIED INHALABLE MICROPARTICLES OF RIFAMPICIN FOR PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS THERAPY

Abstract

Tuberculosis treatment depends on rifampicin, yet long oral courses, variable absorption and dose-related toxicity undermine completion. Delivering the drug directly to the lung as an inhalable powder is an attractive alternative. This narrative review summarises published work on spray-dried rifampicin microparticles, covering the biology that justifies pulmonary delivery, the principles of particle formation, polymer, sugar and amino acid excipients, and the methods used to judge aerosol performance, release and efficacy. It reports no new experimental data. The literature supports the concept in animal models, but studies are small, methods differ and human data are almost absent, so robust conclusions on dose, safety and clinical benefit are not yet possible.