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By Fabiana Banov, MS, RPh, PCCA Senior Formulation Pharmacist
This article was updated June 29,2021
Masking the taste of different active ingredients in a compounded medication is an experience that can be very difficult and frustrating. Incorporating flavor into a medicine requires knowledge to be able to achieve good results. Therefore, knowing what you need to do before starting a formulation will positively guide your steps in the compounding process.
The different tastes of medicines that compounders need to cover daily are saltiness, sourness and bitterness. It is sometimes necessary to cover an oily taste resulting from the vehicle that was used in the formulation as well. The main question is how this can be done successfully so that the patient will be able to take the customized medication that the doctor prescribed without a problem, especially when it is for a child or an animal. Below, you can see some information and best practices I have learned over the years that will help you to compound a medicine that will create great results in treatment compliance.
How to Mask Saltiness A salty taste is associated with inorganic compounds, substances with low molecular weight or the presence of ions. For instance, potassium bromide, sodium chloride and ammonia chloride are associated with salty taste.
A salty taste is associated with inorganic compounds, substances with low molecular weight or the presence of ions. For instance, potassium bromide, sodium chloride and ammonia chloride are associated with salty taste. The ideal flavors to use in these cases are fruity ones. This type of flavor brings the pleasant taste of the fruit into the salty formulation. The addition of sweeteners is important to bring some sweet notes into the medicine and be able to cover the saltiness while enhancing the fruity taste. Please refer to the sweeteners section at the end of this article for more information.
Below is a list of some examples of flavors that compounders can use to mask saltiness. The concentration will vary from 1–4%.
There are non-fruit flavor options as well:
Below are the flavors that have shown the most potential at masking this taste. The concentration can vary from 1–4%.
How to Mask Bitterness
Bitter active ingredients are usually associated with high-molecular-weight, polyhydroxyl compounds. The free bases, such as amides and alkaloids, are part of this group, including caffeine, quinine sulphate, promethazine chloride, basic amino acids and codeine.
The use of sweeteners is very important to cover most of the bitterness of ingredients. Please refer to the sweeteners section at the end of this article for more information. Not every flavor is able to enhance taste under a bitter drug, so it is necessary to have a strong composition that will work deeply under the taste buds and be able to cover any bitterness that would form there.
Below is a list of some examples of flavors that compounders can use. The concentration will vary from 1–3%.
Sodium Chloride USP Granular is also an option if the ingredient is extremely bitter. The concentration varies from 0.5–1%.
Also on The PCCA Blog: Unique Dosage Forms and Flavor Ideas That Are Perfect for Summer
Using Oily Bases
Oil-based liquids help mask bitter tasting drugs by providing a coating that protects the taste buds from the sensation of bitterness. Fixed oils, such as almond, peanut, sesame, olive and corn oil, are often necessary in preparations in which the stability of the drug is in question because of hydrolysis.
In veterinary medicine, since most dogs and cats like oil-based foods, PCCA Fixed Oil Suspension Vehicle (PCCA #30-4316) and cod liver oil are good vehicles for delivering medications. Oil-soluble veterinary flavors can be more enticing for the animal as well, which will help with treatment compliance.
Below are some examples of flavors that compounding pharmacies can use. The concentration will vary from 1–3%.
Here are some other oil-soluble flavors. The concentration will vary from 0.5–1%.
Also on The PCCA Blog: Flavoring Options for Veterinary Compounding
How to Sweeten Compounds
The use of sweeteners is important when compounding a medicine. They aid in making a covering foundation that will inhibit the sensitivity of the taste buds and enhance the flavor of the medication.
Below are some options of sweeteners that compounders can use in customized medication along with the suggested concentration for each:
Fabiana Banov, MS, RPh, PCCA Senior Formulation Pharmacist and flavors expert, earned her pharmacy degree from the College of Pharmaceutical Science of the University of Mogi das Cruzes in Brazil. She also obtained specialization in cosmetic science from São Paulo State University and completed post-graduate work in the technology of cosmetic products from Osvaldo Cruz College. Prior to joining the PCCA team, Fabiana was the owner of Fórmula Médica Compounding Pharmacy in São Paulo, where she was instrumental in the development of unique cosmetic products. She is also the author of Pharmaceutical Veterinary Formulary.
A version of this article previously appeared in PCCA’s members-only magazine, the Apothagram.