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Randomized, double blind comparison of brand and generic antibiotic suspensions: I. A study of taste in adults
K M Samulak1, G M El-Chaar, L G Rubin
1St. John's University College of Pharmacy, Jamaica, NY, USA.
Background:
A belief that brand oral liquid medications taste better than their generic counterparts may influence prescribing habits among pediatricians.
Methods:
We undertook a prospective, randomized, double blinded, comparative evaluation of the taste of brand and generic erythromycin ethylsuccinate, cephalexin monohydrate, erythromycin ethylsuccinate/sulfisoxazole, penicillin V potassium and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in 42 adult volunteers. Subjects tasted one class of brand and generic antibiotics and rated them according to smell, texture, taste and aftertaste.
Results:
At least one generic preparation of cephalexin, erythromycin ethylsuccinate/sulfisoxazole and penicillin V potassium was rated equal in taste to the respective brand name products. However, brand erythromycin estolate and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole name brand suspensions rated significantly higher than the other products tested.
Conclusions:
Based on our results brand name oral antibiotic formulations do not necessarily taste better than their generic counterparts.