Inhaled calcitonin data

DURA reported successful delivery of salmon calcitonin by the intrapulmonary route in normal volunteers. A dry powder inhaler dispensed the drug in an aerosol. One or two puffs were inhaled by the study participants, who also received injections of the agent for comparison. Each activation of the inhaler delivered 160 IU of salmon calcitonin.

Blood samples were collected for up to 12 hours. The peptide was detected in serum by radioimmunoassay. Peak levels of salmon calcitonin increased by 7.4 ng/ml with inhalation, compared to 6.2 ng/ml with intramuscular injection of 100 IU. The researchers concluded that inhaled salmon calcitonin closely approximated or exceeded the biological effect of the injected agent. ...