An aerosolization apparatus comprises a container containing a
pharmaceutical formulation, the pharmaceutical formulation comprising an
active agent and a propellant. The aerosolization apparatus further
comprises a metering chamber in communication with the container, the
metering chamber adapted to hold a metered amount of the pharmaceutical
formulation, a valve to allow the metered amount of the pharmaceutical
formulation to be released from the metering chamber when the valve is
actuated, and a pressurizer that applies pressure to the pharmaceutical
formulation in the metering chamber while the pharmaceutical formulation
is being released from the metering chamber. In one version, the metering
chamber is sized so that at least 2 mg, and preferably at least 5 mg, of
the active agent is be aerosolized for delivery to a user during
inhalation.