Recommended strategies for the oral administration of paediatric medicines with food and drinks in the context of their biopharmaceutical properties: a review

Abstract

Objectives: This review focuses on the recommended strategies for the oral administration of paediatric medicines with food in the context of their biopharmaceutical properties. Key findings: Acceptability of oral medicines in young patients is more challenging than in adult patients. Mixing oral dosage forms with foods and drinks is sometimes suggested to administer a specific dose and enhance compliance in the paediatric population. In this review, the strategies for the co-administration of paediatric medicines with food and drinks are discussed. Current administration practices as reported by healthcare professionals and parents/carers are compared with the relevant guidelines. Differences in the type of vehicles recommended to be used and actually used in current practice were identified. Correlations of the type of food recommended, the type of formulation and the drug's biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class were performed and revealed that recommendations should be made on a case-by-case basis. Summary: The propensity for physiochemical or bioavailability changes that may occur from the co-administration of medicines with food and drinks in the paediatric population should be considered, and harmonisation of the recommended administration strategies is needed.