Effectiveness and infant acceptance of the Rx medibottle versus the oral syringe.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness and infant acceptance of drug delivery of the Rx medibottle with the standard oral syringe.


METHODS
Prospective open-label, randomized, crossover clinical study.


METHODS
General pediatric outpatient clinic at an urban university.


METHODS
Thirty healthy, bottle-fed infants, aged 2-14 months, receiving routine vaccinations.


METHODS
Each infant received a single dose of acetaminophen (Tempra syrup), with one-half delivered by the Rx medibottle and one-half delivered with an oral syringe.


RESULTS
Three raters independently evaluated effectiveness and infant acceptance of each drug-delivery device. Effectiveness was based on the percentage of infants receiving 100% of the intended dose. Infant acceptance was scored using a validated infant medication acceptance scale (MAS, 10 = highest level). Significantly more infants received 100% of the intended dose with the Rx medibottle (93.3%) than with the oral syringe (56.7%, p=0.0074). Infants had a significantly higher mean MAS score when using the Rx medibottle (8.3+/-1.8 vs 7.3+/-1.7, p=0.002). In addition, a significantly higher percentage had ideal MAS scores of 9 or above with the Rx medibottle (73%) compared with the oral syringe (17%, p=0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The Rx medibottle was more effective and had a higher level of infant acceptance than the oral syringe. Although further studies are necessary, this suggests that the Rx medibottle may be a better method of delivering liquid drug and may increase infant adherence.
Kraus
D M
DM
Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60612, USA.
Stohlmeyer
L A
LA
Hannon
P R
PR
Freels
S A
SA
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015370:Infant Equipment; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013594:Syringes
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen