Pediatric dosage forms-challenges and recent developments: A critical review

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science

Abstract

Pediatric population is a diverse group comprising of different subgroups. The use of unlicensed and off-label medicines for treating children is widespread due to the non-availability of suitable dosage forms for this age group. Although the physiological differences related to the diverse age group remain an important consideration, various other challenges such as insufficient background information on drug molecule, excipient safety, taste-masking issues, technology requirements, low profitability, limitations in conduct of clinical trials, and lack of regulatory clarity are also important factors adversely affecting pediatric dosage form development. These factors are discussed in this review. Liquids are the most preferred dosage form for children, especially of lower age. However, in the absence of suitable or labeled dosage forms, physicians and caretakers are left with no choice but to use off-label, "specials, " or extemporaneously prepared formulations. All such nonstandard formulations are devoid of relevant scientific data and hence pose a high risk to pediatric patients. The situation is even more serious with developing countries, where health care guidelines and controls for pediatric patients scarcely exist. Although, in the recent years, the safe, effective, and labeled dosage forms are increasingly becoming available, pediatric development still struggles to find a place in the mainstream pharmaceutical development programs.

First Page

155

Last Page

166

DOI

10.7324/JAPS.2020.10718

Publication Date

7-1-2020

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS