Sorbitol content of selected oral liquids.
OBJECTIVE
Excipients in pharmaceuticals usually are considered inert, and may be overlooked in the differential diagnosis of diarrhea. Sorbitol-containing medicinal liquids are capable of inducing osmotic diarrhea. We reviewed the oral liquids in our formulary to determine their sorbitol content and to evaluate the availability of this information.


METHODS
The oral liquids stocked by our hospital were determined through a computer search and manual inspection of the pharmacy storeroom. Three common sources of drug information were consulted to determine each product's sorbitol content: manufacturers' product information, American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) Drug Information 91, and Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. We then contacted each manufacturer by mail or telephone to verify the information.


METHODS
The study was conducted at the University of Cincinnati Hospital, a tertiary-care, teaching hospital.


RESULTS
A total of 129 products (98 chemical entities) were reviewed. Fifty-four (42 percent) of the products examined contained sorbitol. The frequency of sorbitol presence by liquid type was: solutions (33 percent), suspensions (43 percent), syrups (59 percent), elixirs (43 percent), concentrates (67 percent), drops (33 percent), tinctures (0 percent), and emulsions (0 percent). The percentage of listings indicating the presence of sorbitol was: manufacturer's product information (79 percent), Facts and Comparisons (52 percent), and AHFS Drug Information 91 (13 percent). Only three of the 54 products had the exact sorbitol content stated in any source.
Lutomski
D M
DM
Department of Pharmacy Services, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, OH 45267.
Gora
M L
ML
Wright
S M
SM
Martin
J E
JE
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005079:Excipients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D005572:Formularies, Hospital as Topic; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D012996:Solutions; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D013535:Suspensions
D005079:Excipients; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D012996:Solutions; D013535:Suspensions; D013012:Sorbitol