ABSORPTION OF DRUGS BY THE LUNG

Abstract

1 Ten patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy had radioisotopically labelled drugs put directly into their bronchi; two received sodium cromoglycate, two salbutamol, three salmefamol and three rimiterol. 2 All four drugs were rapidly absorbed but higher peak plasma levels per unit dose were seen with sodium cromoglycate and salbutamol than with the other two drugs. 3 It is suggested that the lung metabolizes salmefamol and rimiterol but does not metabolize salbutamol or sodium cromoglycate.