Taste masking of steroids for oral formulations

INTRODUCTION: Oral steroids are commonly prescribed for children. Steroids have a strong bitter taste that limits their oral acceptance in children. The objective of this study is to formulate a pediatric-friendly palatable oral dosage form of steroids.
METHODS: : Solid dispersions of dexamethasone were prepared using PEG (polyethylene glycol), pectin and Eudragit as the carrier polymers and chocolate as a flavoring agent. Taste masking efficiency was evaluated by healthy volunteers to select the best formula. 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. The use of 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 of carrier: drug ratio and a change of flavor to pineapple was necessary to achieve maximum palatability of prednisolone chewable tablets.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Eudragit solid dispersion is an effective method for taste masking of highly bitter steroids. The solid dispersion was successfully pressed into palatable, easy-to-chew, pediatric friendly chewable tablet dosage form. The carrier: drug ratio and the choice of flavoring agent are crucial factors in improving tablet palatability.