title: Assessment of palatability of two sublingual diluents in allergic patients: a prospective pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Taste of diluents could have an effect on the ultimate patient compliance and acceptability of allergenic extract formulations used in sublingual allergy immunotherapy. This study assessed the palatability and compared the flavor and taste preferences of two sublingual diluents in allergic adult patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded pilot study. Diluents A (50% glycerin and water) and B (0.4% phenol and water) were tested. Three drops were placed in the sublingual area beneath the tongue for 2 minutes before swallowing. A 5-point analog scale was used to allow ranking of the degree of taste acceptance. Patients were then given a 10-minute break where unsalted crackers and bottled water were provided to cleanse the palate between tasting periods. After tasting both samples, patients were asked to answer a final question regarding taste preference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 30 patients, there were 15 men and 15 women with a mean age of 38 years (range, 18 to 61 years). For diluent A, 18 (60.0%) patients graded the diluent as having a “pleasant” taste, 8 (26.7%) patients gave a grade of “very pleasant,” and 4 (13.3%) patients said that they were “not sure.” For diluent B, 16 (53.3%) patients gave a grade of “unpleasant” and only 6 (20.0%) patients gave a grade of “pleasant.” Finally, 28 (93.3%) of the 30 patients chose diluent A over diluent B as the preferred diluent of choice (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fifty percent glycerin had better taste attributes and phenolated saline induced unpleasant oral sensation on sublingual dosing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA. nguyensh@musc.edu
authors.forename: Shaun A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Rodney J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Schlosser
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019800:Phenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D019800:Phenol; D005990:Glycerol