Children prefer the flavour of ibuprofen over other analgesics

    Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
    |March 17, 2016
    PubMed

    Insights

    Ibuprofen is the most palatable children's pain reliever, according to a UK study. Researchers found liquid ibuprofen had the best taste among commonly used pediatric medicines.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric pharmacology
    • Drug palatability research

    Background:

    • Assessing the palatability of liquid medications is crucial for improving adherence in pediatric populations.
    • Taste is a significant factor influencing medication acceptance and compliance in children.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate children's taste preferences for commonly administered liquid analgesic medications.
    • To identify the most palatable over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief option for pediatric use.

    Main Methods:

    • A UK-based study surveyed young people regarding their opinions on the taste of various liquid medicines.
    • Data was collected on the palatability of frequently prescribed and OTC pediatric analgesics.

    Main Results:

    • Ibuprofen was identified as the most palatable analgesic medicine among the tested liquid formulations for children.
    • The study highlights significant taste variations among different pediatric liquid medications.

    Conclusions:

    • Ibuprofen presents a more favorable taste profile, potentially enhancing medication adherence in pediatric patients.
    • Findings suggest that considering taste preferences can improve the administration of pain relief in children.

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