Bitter taste or excessive quantity? Six creative methods for easier medication intake
A medication treatment often poses challenges for patients when it comes to swallowing pills. This is particularly true for children and the elderly, whose swallowing reflexes may differ or who may have health issues that prevent them from taking medications properly. The pharmaceutical industry is continuously innovating to make medication forms easier to use and to ensure that the patient experience is as pleasant as possible. The goal is to minimize discomfort during medication intake, thereby increasing the likelihood that patients will adhere to therapeutic recommendations.
Overcoming Swallowing Difficulties
To tackle swallowing difficulties, researchers are seeking new and innovative solutions. In recent decades, numerous alternative medication forms have emerged on the market, aimed at enhancing patient comfort and ensuring more effective drug delivery. Below are some promising innovations that can help make medication intake easier.
Straw Medications
Researchers at Semmelweis University have recently introduced a special innovation: a straw containing lactase enzyme. This solution aims to make medication treatment easier and more enjoyable for patients. The lead researcher, Dr. István Antal, emphasized that oral administration is the most common method, but the pharmaceutical industry is constantly looking for new options to meet the needs of different age groups.
The lactase enzyme can help lactose-intolerant patients who struggle with unpleasant symptoms when consuming dairy products. The researchers placed spherical, rapidly dissolving lactase granules inside the straw, which were produced using various manufacturing technologies. An important consideration was that the medication should have a pleasant taste, encouraging patients to consume it more willingly. During the research, specialists tested different temperatures and sucking speeds to optimize the use of the straw.
The lactase enzyme straw presents a unique opportunity for the pharmaceutical industry, and researchers continue to work on its widespread application so that more patients can benefit from this innovative solution.
Medication Lollipops
Medication lollipops are becoming increasingly popular in the pharmaceutical market, especially in the United States, where they have been used as pain relievers for cancer patients for decades. In Hungary, cough suppressant lollipops assist with medication administration for children, and vitamins are also available in this form. The advantage of lollipops is that children are more likely to consume them, but the challenge is that they tend to request lollipops even after they have recovered.
The spread of lollipops among children can help increase the willingness to take medication. Parents generally view this form positively, as it makes taking medication more enjoyable. The pharmaceutical industry is continuously seeking new opportunities to provide lollipops in a wider variety and more effectively.
Oral Syringes and Tubes
The method of administering liquid medications has also undergone significant development. Instead of traditional spoon dosing, oral syringes are now used, allowing for more precise dosing. This is particularly beneficial for children, where accurate dosing is crucial for effectiveness and safety.
The use of oral syringes enables parents to administer medication more easily and accurately, thereby reducing swallowing difficulties. The application of tubes is also becoming increasingly popular, as it can assist patients who cannot take medications on their own.
Orally Disintegrating Mini-Tablets
Among the future medications are orally disintegrating mini-tablets that dissolve or disintegrate immediately in the mouth, facilitating swallowing. These new types of tablets may be particularly promising for children and the elderly, who may find it difficult to swallow standard tablets.
Orally disintegrating tablets already exist on the market, but the potential applications of mini-tablets are still being researched. Researchers aim to make this form increasingly available in the future, which could significantly ease medication intake.
“Sprinkle” Capsules
“Sprinkle” capsules represent another innovation among medication forms. These capsules allow the medication inside to be sprinkled onto soft food, such as yogurt, or dissolved in liquid for intake. This solution can be particularly useful for children and the elderly, who may have difficulty swallowing capsules.
The use of “sprinkle” capsules offers widespread benefits, as it can mask the taste of the medication and provide a more pleasant experience for patients. Researchers are continuously working on developing the capsules to achieve the highest possible effectiveness.
Swallowing Aids
Gels designed to facilitate the swallowing of solid medications, such as tablets and capsules, are becoming an increasingly common solution. These gels are specifically designed to assist in swallowing medications and often effectively reduce swallowing difficulties.
These gels can be found in pharmacies and stores, and professionals are continuously researching the best formulations to provide the greatest comfort for patients. The use of swallowing aid gels represents an innovative solution for taking solid medications and can contribute to the success of medication therapy.
