Taste Masking of Steroids for Oral Formulations

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Pediatric Formulations

Background:

• Oral steroids are frequently prescribed for pediatric conditions.
• The inherent bitter taste of steroids poses significant challenges to medication adherence in children.
• Developing palatable dosage forms is crucial for improving therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate a pediatric-friendly and palatable oral dosage form of steroids.
• To mask the bitter taste of dexamethasone and prednisolone for improved pediatric acceptance.
• To create an easy-to-chew tablet with acceptable palatability.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of dexamethasone solid dispersions using Eudragit, polyethylene glycol, and pectin with chocolate flavoring.
• Evaluation of taste masking efficiency by healthy volunteers.
• Formulation of chewable tablets with sweeteners and assessment of palatability, hardness, and chewing index.
• Confirmation of the taste masking approach using prednisolone.

Main Results:

• Eudragit-based solid dispersions effectively masked the bitter taste of dexamethasone.
• Tablets formulated with 40% mannitol exhibited acceptable palatability, hardness, and chewing characteristics.
• The taste masking strategy was successfully applied to prednisolone, though adjustments in carrier:drug ratio and flavoring (pineapple) were needed for optimal palatability.
• Carrier:drug ratio and flavoring agent selection are critical for enhancing tablet palatability.

Conclusions:

• Eudragit solid dispersion is a viable method for taste masking bitter steroids.
• The developed solid dispersion can be manufactured into palatable, easy-to-chew, pediatric-friendly chewable tablets.
• Optimizing carrier:drug ratio and flavoring is essential for achieving maximum palatability in pediatric steroid formulations.