Randomized, double blind comparison of brand and generic antibiotic suspensions: I. A study of taste in adults.
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.
Samulak
K M
KM
St. John's University College of Pharmacy, Jamaica, NY, USA.
El-Chaar
G M
GM
Rubin
L G
LG
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D002506:Cephalexin / Q000737:chemistry; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000737:chemistry; D016568:Drugs, Generic; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000737:chemistry; D015643:Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010404:Penicillin V / Q000737:chemistry; D012903:Smell; D013444:Sulfisoxazole / Q000737:chemistry; D013649:Taste; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000737:chemistry
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016568:Drugs, Generic; D015643:Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate; D004917:Erythromycin; D013444:Sulfisoxazole; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D002506:Cephalexin; D010404:Penicillin V