title: Safety issues with ethanol as an excipient in drugs intended for pediatric use.
abstract: Ethanol is commonly used as an excipient in the manufacture of medicines, including the ones intended for administration in children. However, ethanol cannot be considered an inert substance; on the contrary, its use in pharmaceutical preparations is associated with safety issues. Newborns, infants and children are not able to metabolize ethanol as efficiently as adults; as a consequence, they may be at higher risk of both acute and chronic alcohol-related toxicities.
authors.forename: Gian Vincenzo
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Zuccotti
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fabiano
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002648:Child; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000517:prevention & control; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005079:Excipients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D005079:Excipients; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D000431:Ethanol