Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Oral steroids are commonly prescribed to children. Steroids have a strong bitter taste that limits their oral acceptance in children. The objective of this study was to formulate a pediatric-friendly and palatable oral dosage form of steroids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Solid dispersions of dexamethasone were prepared using polyethylene glycol, pectin, and Eudragit as carrier polymers, and chocolate as a flavoring agent. Taste masking efficiency was evaluated by healthy volunteers to select the best formula. The selected formula was pressed into chewable tablets with varying amounts of sweeteners. Chewable tablets were evaluated for palatability, hardness, and chewing index. The typical application of the taste masking approach was confirmed using prednisolone. RESULTS: Eudragit-based solid dispersions were effective in dexamethasone taste masking. Using 40% mannitol resulted in palatable tablets with acceptable hardness and chewing difficulty. The effectiveness of the taste masking approach was successfully used to prepare prednisolone chewable tablets. However, an increase in the carrier: drug ratio and a change in the flavor to pineapple were necessary to achieve maximum palatability of prednisolone chewable tablets. CONCLUSION: Eudragit solid dispersion is an effective method for the taste masking highly bitter steroids. The solid dispersion was successfully pressed into a palatable, easy-to-chew, and pediatric-friendly chewable tablet dosage form. The carrier: drug ratio and the choice of flavoring agent are crucial factors in improving tablet palatability.