Caffeine microparticles for nasal administration obtained by spray drying

This study investigated the possibility to use spray drying technique to prepare powders formulations containing caffeine intended for nasal delivery. Spray dried powders containing caffeine and excipients, as filler and shaper agents, were prepared. Powders were investigated for particle size, morphology and delivery properties from Monopowder P-(R) nasal insufflator, assessing the influence of each excipient on microparticles characteristics. The results showed that the excipients strongly affected microparticle properties. Size, shape and agglomeration tendency are relevant characteristics of spray dried nasal powder. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.