On January 8, 2014, Medical News Today published an article stating marked variability was found between pediatric medications compounded from adult dosages. Pediatric drugs exhibited differences in terms of concentration of active ingredients, content uniformity, and overall quality when compared to the original medication they were sourced from.
In situations where pediatric formulations of medications are not available, hospital pharmacies may adjust the dose of an adult drug. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland examined preparations of the drug nifedipine (brand names Adalat, Procardia, Procardia XL) intended for pediatric use in order to determine whether the quality of the compounded products differed from the adult dosages. Nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker indicated for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure), heart pain, and abnormal heart rhythms.
Investigators inspected oral suspensions, capsules, and powder formulations of nifedipine to assess “…content uniformity as well as the chemical and physical stability of different dosage forms.” Findings revealed disparities in the amount of drug per pediatric dose for oral suspensions and powders. Oral suspensions lacked content uniformity, and powders lacked potency due to much of the product being left as a residue within the powder sachet. Researchers concluded that more research is needed on compounding medications in order to ensure the safety and effective treatment of patients.
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In situations where pediatric formulations of medications are not available, hospital pharmacies may adjust the dose of an adult drug. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland examined preparations of the drug nifedipine (brand names Adalat, Procardia, Procardia XL) intended for pediatric use in order to determine whether the quality of the compounded products differed from the adult dosages. Nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker indicated for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure), heart pain, and abnormal heart rhythms.
Investigators inspected oral suspensions, capsules, and powder formulations of nifedipine to assess “…content uniformity as well as the chemical and physical stability of different dosage forms.” Findings revealed disparities in the amount of drug per pediatric dose for oral suspensions and powders. Oral suspensions lacked content uniformity, and powders lacked potency due to much of the product being left as a residue within the powder sachet. Researchers concluded that more research is needed on compounding medications in order to ensure the safety and effective treatment of patients.
continue to read here