Adherence issues related to the selection of antistaphylococcal or antifungal antibiotic suspensions for children.
To evaluate the palatability and cost as variables in the selection of antimicrobial suspensions to treat staphylococcal infections and oral thrush, 31 physicians and health care personnel randomly sampled 7 antistaphylococcal antibiotics and 2 antifungal agents, evaluating them in categories of appearance, smell, texture, taste, and aftertaste. Final scoring was then adjusted for cost. Overall taste (palatability) ranking of antistaphylococcal antibiotics, highest to lowest, was as follows: rifampin, cephalexin, EES, TMP/SMX, clindamycin with FLAVORx, linezolid, and clindamycin without FLAVORx. Fluconazole was superior to nystatin. Cost was considered a major factor if the medication was more than $60.00 for treatment of a hypothetical 2-year-old, 13-kg child.
Steele
Russell W
RW
Division of Infectious Diseases/Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, LSU School of Medicine, and Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA.
Russo
Troy M
TM
Thomas
Mathew P
MP
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification* / Q000191:economics; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification* / Q000191:economics; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013649:Taste
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents