DISPERSIBLE FORMULATION MAKEUPS FOR PEDIATRIC USE: A REVIEW

Childhood is characterized by periods of rapid growth, maturation, and development. There is a change in the magnitude of the dose required during childhood and adolescence. Thus, Paediatric practice requires a range of dosage forms that are acceptable at different ages and abilities and a range of strengths or concentrations allowing administration of the correct age-related dose. Literature shows that a significant percentage of products suitable for children have inadequate dosing information and the products licensed for children, dosage forms are unsuitable for the intended ages. The development of multiple dosage forms for different ages will rarely be commercially viable and liquid formulations, which can be given to a broad age group, present particular pharmaceutical challenges. However, if there is the commercial incentive of a large market for common illness such as pain or vomiting a complete and varied portfolio of products can be made available. Dispersible drug delivery treatment is one of the breakthroughs that modify the conventional dosage forms (swallowing and chewing) for infants and children. In pharmacology and clinical pediatrics, the focus is on the active drug substance (or active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)) when determining dosage, clinical effects, and adverse drug reactions. However, the formulation is fundamentally important since it determines, in practice, whether the dose can be successfully delivered to the pediatric patient. Moreover, it is important to consider the formulation excipients and the potential for any adverse effects in this potentially vulnerable age group.