Cariogenic and erosive potential of liquid oral pediatric medicines of long-term use for children: an in vitro analysis

Abstract

Background Liquid oral pediatric medicines (LOPM) contain sucrose and glucose and can have a low pH; their chronic administration may increase the risk for dental caries and erosion in children. The aim of this study was to determine sucrose and glucose concentrations, and pH of LOPMs of long-term use by children. Methods A cross sectional survey was conducted among 95/381 pharmacies to assess the most commonly prescribed LOPM by pharmacists in North Jordan, yielding 42 medicines which were analyzed for sucrose and glucose concentrations (mg/g) using HPLC-RID, and pH measurement using pH-meter CP-505. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19.0. Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. Results The lowest and highest sucrose concentrations were for Ramlac® (0.9%) from the gastrointestinal medicines and Varolex® (79.5%) from the nutritional medicines, respectively. The lowest and highest glucose concentrations were for Adol® (0.0%) from the central nervous medicines and Pediavit-D® (81.1%) from the nutritional medicines, respectively. The pH ranged from 3.2 for Varolex® from the nutritional medicines to 10.0 for Zithromax® from the antibiotics medicines. Conclusions Some of the LOPMs studied had high sucrose or glucose concentrations (or both) and low pH which could increase their potential of causing dental caries and erosion when ingested frequently and chronically.

Sugar content and erosive potential of commonly prescribed Orodispersible tablets- An in vitro study.

“… 2 , 33 However, antimicrobials in liquid oral medications showed higher pH. 3 , 35 Analgesics in our study showed the highest pH (6.71), which was more than that reported in LOMs. 13 , 15 , 35 , 36 Antiemetics had a similar (6.03) pH as compared to Maguire et al and Arora et al (6.28 and 6.04, respectively).…”

“…2,33 However, antimicrobials in liquid oral medications showed higher pH. 3,35 Analgesics in our study showed the highest pH (6.71), which was more than that reported in LOMs. 13,15,35,36 26,[33][34][35] There was no significant difference in the pH between the short-term and the long-term medication, similar to the previous study.…”

“…2 Many liquid oral medications (LOM) contain readily available sugars like sucrose and glucose. 3 The requirement for easily adjustable dosage forms is one of the most frequent issues in pediatric pharmacology. 4 This issue has long been resolved by the development and use of liquid preparations.…”

Sugar content and erosive potential of commonly prescribed Orodispersible tablets- An in vitro study.

“…2,33 However, antimicrobials in liquid oral medications showed higher pH (6.4 and 6.36). 3,35 Analgesics in our study showed the highest pH (6.71), which was more than that reported in LOMs. 13,15,35,36 26,[33][34][35] There was no significant difference in the pH between the short-term and the long-term medication, similar to the previous study.…”

“…2 Many liquid oral medications (LOM) contain readily available sugars like sucrose and glucose. 3 The requirement for easily adjustable dosage forms is one of the most frequent issues in pediatric pharmacology. 4 This issue has long been resolved by the development and use of liquid preparations.…”