There is a new dry powdered inhaler (DPI) on the market tailored specifically for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The medicine is TOBI Podhaler (tobramycin inhalation powder), and it's made specifically for CF patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, according to rtmagazine.com, "FDA Approves First Dry Powder Inhalent for Some CF Patients."
The article notes that Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the main culprit among CFers in the loss of lung function, and presently the medicine to treat it, tobramycin, can only be taken by breathing treatment, which generally lasts from 5-10 minutes. Supposedly, the new DPI would shake off 70 percent of this time. The recommended dose is 1 puff twice a day.
The medicine is only approved by the FDA for patients aged six and over. As usual, most researchers are too chicken to do studies on children because of fear of lawyers. This does not, however, mean that physicians cannot prescribe the medicine for children under six however. Obviously, physicians will have to weight the advantages with the risks.
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