Superior palatability of crushed lercanidipine compared with amlodipine among children.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the taste of equivalent doses of pulverized amlodipine and lercanidipine, two calcium channel blockers, among children with kidney disease.


METHODS
Each child received a test dose of 1 mg of amlodipine besylate and 2 mg of lercanidipine in a single-blinded fashion. Children indicated their preference by pointing to the appropriate face on a visual analogue scale (VAS) that depicts five degrees of pleasure.


RESULTS
The VAS palatability score assigned to lercanidipine was higher than that assigned to amlodipine both in nine children 4-7 years of age (P < 0.005) and in 10 children 8-11 years of age (P < 0.005). The preference for lercanidipine was statistically significant in both girls (P < 0.02) and boys (P < 0.001) and in both children initially presented amlodipine (P < 0.005) and children initially presented lercanidipine (P < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a lack of appropriate formulations for children prescribed drugs originally designed for adults, such as calcium channel blockers. Parents therefore crush available tablets and administer the medication mixed with solid food or a palatable drink. From the perspective of the child, the taste of pulverized lercanidipine is superior to that of pulverized amlodipine.
Milani
Gregorio
G
Emergency Unit, Clinica Pediatrica De Marchi, Foundation IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Milan, Italy.
Ragazzi
Monica
M
Simonetti
Giacomo D
GD
Ramelli
Gian P
GP
Rizzi
Mattia
M
Bianchetti
Mario G
MG
Fossali
Emilio F
EF
D000284:Administration, Oral; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012903:Smell; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013649:Taste
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004095:Dihydropyridines; D017311:Amlodipine; C060343:lercanidipine