CHILDREN’s health PED I ATR I C MED I CAT I ON FLAVOR I NG
BY AN I SHA RAO
Unfortunately, many medications are plant-de- rived and are therefore bitter-tasting. Some even have unpleasant smells, which can further increase the unpleasantness of the medicine. For teens and adults, the bitter factor can be miti- gated to some degree by formulating medications in pill form. When taken correctly, their taste is never an issue, but they remain equally as effec- tive. For infants and young children, this is not an option. Thus, the advent of medication fla- voring. While including flavorings in medication is not a guarantee that all of the bitter flavors are removed, it can help reduce the intensity of the bitterness, making the mediation more pal- atable for younger children’s flavor preferences. What Medications Can be Flavored? Medication flavoring is a pharmaceutical pro- cess that helps mask the bitter, unpleasant flavors naturally found in many common medications. The goal of flavoring is to trick a child or infant’s taste buds into believing they are consuming something sweet. The process introduces famil- iar, desirable flavors such as orange, grape, raspberry, strawberry, tutti frutti, bubblegum, or even chocolate chips (among others) into the med- ication as the time of mixing in the pharmacy. As previously mentioned, children’s taste buds are naturally geared toward sweet things. When they are sick, their sense of taste is often more sensitive. The idea of having to regularly take something that tastes terrible only worsens their already fragile emotional state. Unfortunately, most of the most commonly prescribed medications for frequently occurring childhood ailments are naturally bitter and unpleasant tasting. This makes getting a tod- dler to swallow essential medications to alleviate strep throat, an ear infection, or any other ailment nearly impossible. Fortunately, many common med- icines used to treat these illnesses and many others are frequently enhanced with flavorings. Some of the most commonly flavored medications include:
When children are sick, it can be emotionally trying not only for the child but also for their parent or caretaker. One of the most significant challenges related to pediatric illness is often the struggle that accompanies getting them to take their med- ication. Ask any parent about how successful or unsuccessful their most recent experiences were, and they will likely speak of the frustration and exasperation of getting their infant or toddler to willingly swallow something they are not interested in taking. Worse and often even more concerning is the aftermath that occurs when a child spits up or spits out their medication. Now, parents are stuck wondering how much, if any, of the med- icine their child consumed and whether they should change or stick to the same dosing schedule. Unfortunately, medications only work when taken correctly and at the correct doses. When the med- ication a parent is trying to give their child tastes bitter, chalky, or worse, the chances they will take it willingly and easily are limited at best. Young patients are significantly more likely to take the full recommended dose with less pushback or refusal when the flavor is appealing or pleasing.
The Risks of Flavored Medication As with many good things, flavored medications are not without risks. Misuse or abuse of sweet or candy-flavored medications does occur, and the effects can range widely. Some highly flavored cough and cold medications are used as “gate- way” drugs for teens looking to experiment with the impact of certain over-the-counter medicines. In most cases, the effects of these medications are harmless in the short-term. Still, in some instances, abuse or misuse of medication in this manner can evolve into something more troubling. However, on the other end of the age spectrum, there is a gen- uine risk of younger children ingesting too much of a medication when a parent or caretaker is not looking. Children’s medications, either over-the- counter (such as Tylenol or Motrin) or prescriptions that are flavored in sweet or appealing ways, can be dangerous to children who are not equipped to understand anything more about the medication other than the simple fact that it tastes like candy. The idea of making medication taste better has been an underlying mission in the pharmaceuti- cal industry almost as long as medications have been prescribed to treat illness. Due to the obvious benefits related to pediatric flavored medications, it has become nearly impossible to find a med- ication geared toward infants and children that is not flavored to some degree. In addition, flavored medications clearly benefit both patients and par- ents by ensuring the successful completion of an entire medication regimen. Although medica- tion flavorings are common, parents need to note the risk factors associated with candy-flavored and appealing medications. As with any medi- cation, flavored medications are not necessarily suitable for all circumstances and situations, and individual consultation with a pediatrician is always recommended before taking any formof medication. Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2744307/ https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/newsreleases/2008/august/ helping-the-medicine-go-down.html https://www.fda.gov/industry/structured-product-labeling-resources/flavor
Why Medication Flavoring Helps Studies have shown that flavoring medications do not adversely impact the effectiveness of the medication. For this reason, pediatric medica- tion flavorings have become a “go-to” for many frustrated parents seeking a means for convinc- ing their unwilling little ones to take a full dose of their prescription. But why are children so averse to taking medications without flavoring? Children are born with a much stronger pref- erence for things that taste sweet over those that taste bitter. This is one of the factors that attract newborn infants to their mother’s milk. In most cases, by late adolescence, the significant preference towards sweeter flavors begins to wane. However, during childhood, taste buds tend to be much more sensitive to bitter flavors. It is also important to consider the number of taste buds humans have in their mouths. Overall, we have very few receptors for sweet flavors but around 30 for bitterness, helping humans avoid things that may be toxic. Bitter tastes are often affiliated with substances that are dangerous or inedible.
• Erythromycin Suspension • Robitussin • Claritin Syrup • Bactrim Suspension • Griseofulvin Suspension • Augmentin Suspension • Iron supplements • Vitamins
Are Medication Flavorings Safe? The practice of flavoring medications is not new to the medical or pharmaceutical communi- ties. The flavor substances used for medications require rigorous and comprehensive screening and approval by the Food and Drug Administration before they are integrated into pharmaceutical and compounding services. The flavor options provided as part of a prescription are a safe and effective way to increase pediatric medication adherence rates while reducing parental frustration.
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