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The dental implications of chronic use of acidic medicines in medically compromised children

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Ian Sharkey, Dr Malcolm Coulthard

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Abstract

Objective: Liquid oral medicines form a significant proportion (11%) of the medicines used by the population as a whole, either prescribed or over the counter. The active agent, as well as some of the other ingredients, can pose a threat to oral health. Method: Eight liquid oral medicines and two effervescent preparations routinely prescribed for long-term use by paediatric renal patients were assessed for titratable acidity and pH values. Results: All of the medicines tested were acidic and the majority were well below the critical pH of 5.5 at which enamel demineralisation takes place. The titratable acidity values, at a pH of 6.7, ranged between 0.01 and 1.54 for the liquid preparations but were 8.4 and 10.6 for the two effervescent tablets tested. Conclusion: Surplus acid in effervescent preparations while ensuring palatability of medicines and thus compliance, may produce unwanted dental side effects in children who are already medically compromised.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Coulthard M; Sharkey I; Nunn JH; Ng SKF

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Pharmacy World and Science

Year: 2001

Volume: 23

Issue: 3

Pages: 118-119

Print publication date: 01/01/2001

ISSN (print): 0928-1231

ISSN (electronic): 1573-739X

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1011202409386

DOI: 10.1023/A:1011202409386

PubMed id: 11468877

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