Abstract

Today, oral solid medicines are often presented as relatively large tablets or capsules at one or a few dose strengths that do not offer the possibility for fine dose adjustments. The possibility to adjust dose sizes according to the needs of a specific patient is often desirable in pharmacological treatment of children where treatment efficacy needs to be carefully balanced against side-effects. Alternative solid dosage forms such as small pellets have the potential to offer more flexibility in dosing and easier titration1, as well as more precise doses in-between the doses offered in currently available solid formulations. Providing the medicine in the form of small pellets can also improve medicine-acceptance in children, who not seldom have difficulties swallowing regular-size tablets and capsules2.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dosing accuracy and precision of an innovative device technology that was designed to enable individualised and flexible dosing of medicines formulated as pellets.