Toshihiko Ishizaka

Study on Palatability of Antibacterial Formulations for Pediatric Use-Evaluation of Suspension/Dispersion Capabilities and Bitterness Intensity-

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suspension and dispersion capabilities and bitterness intensity of seven types of antibacterial formulations on the market (azithromycin fine granules,clarithromycin dry syrup,cefditoren pivoxil fine granules,cefdinir fine granules,cefcapene pivoxil fine granules,erythromycin dry syrup,oseltamivir dry syrup) which influence palatability for pediatric patients.The particle size of the formulations was also examined since it could influence their precipitation from suspensions.At the same time we tested mixtures of oseltamivir dry syrup and four types of antibiotic formulation (2 types of macrolide antibiotic formulation : azithromycin fine granules and clarithromycin dry syrup ; 2 types of cephem antibiotic formulation : cefditoren pivoxil fine granules and cefcapene pivoxil fine granules) assuming that these antibiotic formulations were taken with oseltamivir dry syrup.Some formulations showed low suspension and dispersion capability and others high bitterness intensities.Further,our findings suggested that taking oseltamivir dry syrup together with macrolide antibiotic formulations markedly enhanced bitterness intensity.We concluded that pharmacists should develop formulations in consideration of palatability and should provide appropriate information on them.