Patent ID: 7090831
Filing Date: 2006-08-15
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
1. A process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical aerosol formulation that comprises: (A) salmeterol xinafoate in the form of particles having a coating that comprises at least one surfactant, which surfactant is physiologically acceptable when used by inhalation, in the absence of any coating excipient that is a sugar, wherein the particles have a water content of between 0.01 and 0.5% by weight of the particles, in suspension in (B) a liquefied propellant gas which is 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-beptafluoro-n-propane or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or mixtures thereof, wherein the at least one surfactant is essentially insoluble in the liquefied propellant gas and does not have an affinity therewith; said process comprising: providing a suspension comprising salmeterol xinafoate in the form of particles, a suspending medium that is water, and one or more surfactants; spray drying the suspension producing salmeterol xinafoate particles coated with one or more surfactants; and, suspending the coated salmeterol xinafoate particles in liquefied propellant.