Chronic obstructive airway diseases are treated by administering an osmotically
active compound such as a salt, sugar, sugar alcohol, or organic osmolyte to the
afflicted airway surface. The compound may be administered as a liquid or dry powder
aerosol formulation. Diseases that can be treated by the method include cystic
fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and ciliary dyskinesia. The formulations of the invention
can also be used in conjunction with other active agents such as bronchodilators,
sodium channel blockers, antibiotics, enzymes, or purinoceptor agonists on airway surfaces.
