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Superior palatability of crushed lercanidipine compared with amlodipine among children
Author(s) -
Milani Gregorio,
Ragazzi Monica,
Simonetti Giacomo D.,
Ramelli Gian P.,
Rizzi Mattia,
Bianchetti Mario G.,
Fossali Emilio F.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2009.03580.x
Subject(s) - lercanidipine , amlodipine , palatability , medicine , visual analogue scale , anesthesia , blood pressure , pathology
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Among children, medication palatability is crucial for adherence to therapeutic regimen. • Since there is a lack of appropriate formulations for children prescribed drugs originally designed for adults, parents crush available tablets and administer the medication mixed with solid food or a palatable drink. • Crushed amlodipine, a very popular calcium channel blocker, is bitter and unpalatable. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • From the perspective of the child with arterial hypertension, the taste of pulverized lercanidipine is superior to that of pulverized amlodipine. AIMS To compare the taste of equivalent doses of pulverized amlodipine and lercanidipine, two calcium channel blockers, among children with kidney disease. METHODS Each child received a test dose of 1 mg of amlodipine besylate and 2 mg of lercanidipine in a single‐blinded fashion. Children indicated their preference by pointing to the appropriate face on a visual analogue scale (VAS) that depicts five degrees of pleasure. RESULTS The VAS palatability score assigned to lercanidipine was higher than that assigned to amlodipine both in nine children 4–7 years of age ( P < 0.005) and in 10 children 8–11 years of age ( P < 0.005). The preference for lercanidipine was statistically significant in both girls ( P < 0.02) and boys ( P < 0.001) and in both children initially presented amlodipine ( P < 0.005) and children initially presented lercanidipine ( P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS There is a lack of appropriate formulations for children prescribed drugs originally designed for adults, such as calcium channel blockers. Parents therefore crush available tablets and administer the medication mixed with solid food or a palatable drink. From the perspective of the child, the taste of pulverized lercanidipine is superior to that of pulverized amlodipine.