Novolizer: the new technology for the management of asthma therapy.

Nearly all dry powder inhalers are breath-actuated so that patients do not need to coordinate actuation with inspiration. However, with dry powder inhalers, deposition of drug into the lungs is markedly influenced by the patient's inspiratory flow rate. Flow-rate dependency occurs because high shear forces are required to separate drug particles efficiently so that they are small enough to reach the peripheral airways. ASTA Medica, now VIATRIS GmbH & Co. KG, subsidiary Sofotec GmbH & Co. KG (Frankfurt, Germany), has developed a new dry powder inhaler, the Novolizer, which overcomes many of the disadvantages observed with other dry powder inhalers. Important features of this device include the following: relative independence of particle size and flow rate; a triple feedback control mechanism which reassures the patient that medication has been correctly taken; and the fact that patients cannot avoid deposition of drug into their lungs. The Novolizer design also ensures a good-quality aerosol, reliability and durability, and ease of use.