Observational study on the palatability and tolerability of oral prednisolone and oral dexamethasone in children in Saudi Arabia and the UK
Background: Short-course oral corticosteroids are routinely used to treat acute asthma and croup. We evaluated their tolerability and palatability in Saudi Arabian (SA) and UK children. Methods: Prospective observational/interview study (three months in each country). Palatability was evaluated usi...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMJ
2017
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44067/ |
| _version_ | 1848796829264642048 |
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| author | Aljebab, Fahad Alanazi, Mofadhi Choonara, Imti Conroy, Sharon |
| author_facet | Aljebab, Fahad Alanazi, Mofadhi Choonara, Imti Conroy, Sharon |
| author_sort | Aljebab, Fahad |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background: Short-course oral corticosteroids are routinely used to treat acute asthma and croup. We evaluated their tolerability and palatability in Saudi Arabian (SA) and UK children.
Methods: Prospective observational/interview study (three months in each country). Palatability was evaluated using a five-point facial scale and tolerability by direct questioning of patient/parents.
Results: In SA, of 122 patients (2–10years) recruited: 52 received prednisolone base tablets; 37 prednisolone sodium phosphate syrup; 33 dexamethasone elixir. In the UK, of 133 patients (2–16years): 38 received prednisolone base tablets (mainly crushed and dispersed); 42 prednisolone sodium phosphate soluble tablets; 53 dexamethasone sodium phosphate oral solution.
In both countries dexamethasone had the highest palatability scores (SA mean: 1.97; UK mean: 3) and prednisolone base tablets the lowest (SA mean: 1.12; UK mean: 1.39). Palatability scores improved for all formulations of prednisolone with each subsequent daily dose.
In SA prednisolone base tablets were associated with more nausea (24 vs 7 patients) and vomiting (5 vs 0) than sodium phosphate syrup (P=0.008 and P=0.073 respectively). In the UK vomiting occurred more frequently with prednisolone base (8) than sodium phosphate soluble tablets (2) (P=0.041).
In both centres dexamethasone was associated with less side effects. Vomiting (1 vs 0 patients), nausea (7 vs 3) and abdominal pain (10 vs 8) occurred more with dexamethasone sodium phosphate solution than dexamethasone elixir.
Conclusions: Dexamethasone sodium phosphate solution was the most palatable preparation. Prednisolone base tablets were rated least palatable and were least well tolerated. Palatability scores improved with each dose taken. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:54:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-44067 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:54:12Z |
| publishDate | 2017 |
| publisher | BMJ |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-440672020-05-04T18:55:56Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44067/ Observational study on the palatability and tolerability of oral prednisolone and oral dexamethasone in children in Saudi Arabia and the UK Aljebab, Fahad Alanazi, Mofadhi Choonara, Imti Conroy, Sharon Background: Short-course oral corticosteroids are routinely used to treat acute asthma and croup. We evaluated their tolerability and palatability in Saudi Arabian (SA) and UK children. Methods: Prospective observational/interview study (three months in each country). Palatability was evaluated using a five-point facial scale and tolerability by direct questioning of patient/parents. Results: In SA, of 122 patients (2–10years) recruited: 52 received prednisolone base tablets; 37 prednisolone sodium phosphate syrup; 33 dexamethasone elixir. In the UK, of 133 patients (2–16years): 38 received prednisolone base tablets (mainly crushed and dispersed); 42 prednisolone sodium phosphate soluble tablets; 53 dexamethasone sodium phosphate oral solution. In both countries dexamethasone had the highest palatability scores (SA mean: 1.97; UK mean: 3) and prednisolone base tablets the lowest (SA mean: 1.12; UK mean: 1.39). Palatability scores improved for all formulations of prednisolone with each subsequent daily dose. In SA prednisolone base tablets were associated with more nausea (24 vs 7 patients) and vomiting (5 vs 0) than sodium phosphate syrup (P=0.008 and P=0.073 respectively). In the UK vomiting occurred more frequently with prednisolone base (8) than sodium phosphate soluble tablets (2) (P=0.041). In both centres dexamethasone was associated with less side effects. Vomiting (1 vs 0 patients), nausea (7 vs 3) and abdominal pain (10 vs 8) occurred more with dexamethasone sodium phosphate solution than dexamethasone elixir. Conclusions: Dexamethasone sodium phosphate solution was the most palatable preparation. Prednisolone base tablets were rated least palatable and were least well tolerated. Palatability scores improved with each dose taken. BMJ 2017-07-18 Article PeerReviewed Aljebab, Fahad, Alanazi, Mofadhi, Choonara, Imti and Conroy, Sharon (2017) Observational study on the palatability and tolerability of oral prednisolone and oral dexamethasone in children in Saudi Arabia and the UK. Archives of Disease in Childhood . ISSN 1468-2044 Corticosteroid Oral Asthma Croup Taste Adverse drug reaction http://adc.bmj.com/content/early/2017/07/18/archdischild-2017-312697 doi:10.1136/archdischild-2017-312697 doi:10.1136/archdischild-2017-312697 |
| spellingShingle | Corticosteroid Oral Asthma Croup Taste Adverse drug reaction Aljebab, Fahad Alanazi, Mofadhi Choonara, Imti Conroy, Sharon Observational study on the palatability and tolerability of oral prednisolone and oral dexamethasone in children in Saudi Arabia and the UK |
| title | Observational study on the palatability and tolerability of oral prednisolone and oral dexamethasone in children in Saudi Arabia and the UK |
| title_full | Observational study on the palatability and tolerability of oral prednisolone and oral dexamethasone in children in Saudi Arabia and the UK |
| title_fullStr | Observational study on the palatability and tolerability of oral prednisolone and oral dexamethasone in children in Saudi Arabia and the UK |
| title_full_unstemmed | Observational study on the palatability and tolerability of oral prednisolone and oral dexamethasone in children in Saudi Arabia and the UK |
| title_short | Observational study on the palatability and tolerability of oral prednisolone and oral dexamethasone in children in Saudi Arabia and the UK |
| title_sort | observational study on the palatability and tolerability of oral prednisolone and oral dexamethasone in children in saudi arabia and the uk |
| topic | Corticosteroid Oral Asthma Croup Taste Adverse drug reaction |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44067/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44067/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/44067/ |