Sugar content in liquid oral medicines for children

Abstract

The most sold and/or prescribed liquid oral medicines for children in Tubarão, Southern Brazil, were assessed. Their sugar concentration was tested and compared to those in their directions for use. All pharmacies and pediatricians working in the city were visited by a previously trained interviewer. Pre-tested questionnaires were applied in order to assess the most sold pediatric as well as the most prescribed pediatric liquid oral medicines. Three samples of each medicine were analyzed by Lane-Eynon general volumetric method. Among the 14 most sold/prescribed medicines only four did not have sugar contents (analgesic, cortisone, and syrups). Sugar concentration ranged from 8.59 g/100 g of drug (SD=0.29 g/100 g) to 67.0 g/100 g of drug (SD=6.07 g/ 100 g). Only 50.0% of the total medicines that presented sugar in their ingredients showed this information in their directions. Resumo Foram identificados os medicamentos infantis líquidos de uso oral mais vendidos Comunicação Breve Brief CommunicationsSugar has been widely added to antibiotics and other pediatric medicines in order to improve their palatability. It is thus an additional source of sugar for pediatric patients, especially those chronically ill, who receive a greater sugar load from liquid medications than healthy children do and, consequently, have high caries prevalence. 3 Most studies addressing this core issue have helped policy decision makers and health professionals to

Pediatric medicines and their relationship to dental caries

“…Moreover, the manufacture of pediatric medicines not containing fermentable carbohydrates, could be the best health policy. In addition, research should be conducted to find acceptable levels of fermentable carbohydrates to preserve the taste of medicines (Peres et al, 2005).…”

“…Thus, children with chronic or recurrent health problems who make frequent use of medicines are particularly at risk (Souza, et al, 2002, Peres et al, 2005, whereas caries is a sucrose-dependent disease. Moreover, as many liquid medicines for children have low endogenous pH, they can also promote dental erosion, particularly if they stay for prolonged periods in contact with the tooth surface (Neiva, 2001;Pierro, et al 2005;Neves, Pierro, Maia, 2007).…”

Cariogenic Potential of the commonly Prescribed Pediatric Liquid Medicaments in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: An in vitro Study

“…[11][12][13]23 Different studies have concluded that the amount of sucrose in the PLM ranged from 0 to 67 gm%. 24 All the PLM in our study contained sucrose, and it ranged from 5.38 to 11.41 gm%. However, this is less compared with that reported in the other studies.…”

Pediatric allergy medications: review of currently available formulations

“…The amount of sugar can vary substantially among medications. One study in Brazil found sugar concentrations ranging from 9-67% in a sampling of pediatric liquid oral medicines that included oral antihistamines 91 .…”