Method of administering phospholipid dispersions

Abstract

A method of administering a surfactant dispersion to the lungs of a patient in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises heating the dispersion and nebulizing the heated dispersion to produce respirable surfactant particles. The respirable surfactant particles delivered to the lungs of the patient. By heating the dispersion the amount of phospholipid delivered to the lungs of the patient is increased. The dispersion is comprised of a phospholipid dispersed in an aqueous carrier. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the phospholipid is preferably dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) included in an amount from about 8 to 50 milligrams per milliliter of aqueous carrier, and the dispersion is preferably heated to a temperature between about 25.degree. C. and 75.degree. C.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.