Formulation for pulmonary administration of antifungal agents, and associated methods of manufacture and use

Abstract

Formulations are provided for pulmonary administration of an antifungal agent to a patient. Methods of using the formulations in the treatment of antifungal infections are also provided, including treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis with amphotericin B-containing formulations. Methods of manufacturing the formulations to achieve optimum properties are provided as well.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical formulation for pulmonary administration, comprising a plurality of particulates having a mass median diameter less than 20 μm, wherein each particulate comprises: (a) a lipid matrix; and (b) at least one particle of an active agent in the lipid matrix, said active agent having an aqueous solubility of less than 1.0 mg/ml, wherein at least 90% of the active agent particles in the formulation have a geometric diameter less than 3 μm.