Pediatric Pharmaceutics Flashcards
How is drug absorption different in children compared to adults?
- erratic absorption in children up to 6 years, low gastric acid output in neonates; low pancreatic enzyme activity
How is drug distribution different in children compared to adults?
Vd changes with ague due to altered body composition and plasma protein binding (higher doses of water soluble drugs are required in younger children due to higher % body weight of water)
How is drug metabolism different in children compared to adults?
- phase 1 reactions (oxidation, for example) are delayed until about 4-6 months of age- metabolic activity declines with the onset of adolescence
At what age is renal excretion similar to that of adults?
- 2-6 months
___ medications are now not considered to be safe or effective in young children
cough and cold (not safe or effective in young children under 6 y/o)
What do we know about drug use in the intrauterine stage of development?
- there is very little understanding of the age group
- there are a lot of drugs and viruses that can pass from mother to child- passive absorption
We do not really know about the ___ of neonates
ADME (not a lot of products to start off with - the ADME is very complex)
What is the understanding of the ADME of infants?
- poor understanding of the ADME of infants
- complex ADME
- direct application
- diagnosis is important
What ages does the child age group fall under?
2 and up
Peds have _____ absorption
variable/incomplete
Peds have _____ metabolism
prolonged/incomplete
Peds have ______ elimination
incomplete/variable
What is the definition of bioequivalence?
- the absence of a significant difference in the rate and extent to which the active ingredient or active moiety in pharmaceutical equivalents or pharmaceutical alternatives becomes available at the site of drug action when administered at the same molar dose under similar conditions
What are the sweeteners most commonly used in paediatric pharmaceuticals?
- sucrose
- sorbitol
- mannitol
- saccharin
____ is an effective solvent for many compounds
ethanol
What else can ethanol be used for?
- as an absorption enhancer
- common in pharmaceutical usage
- esp a problem in young children
What is the limit of ethanol use for children under 12
10%
What is the limit of ethanol use in children 6-12
5%
What is the limit of ethanol use in children under 6 years old
0.5%
At what age are children typically able to swallow medication?
- 6 years of age
At what age are children typically able to use chewable medication?
- at 3 years they can typically be given
If you inject too much solution parenterally, then what happens?
- there is a higher amount of pain
If you inject too little solution parenterally, then what happens?
- there is not high enough of a concentration gradient to allow for appropriate absorption
If you give a drug via the route of inhalation under the age of 3, what is required?
- need a mask to facilitate the uptake of drug
- over the age of 3 there can medication can typically be inhaled via solution/powder
What is the main problem associated with transdermal drug delivery in children?
- there is a large surface area, possibly excess absorption can occur here
What is the absorption pattern of rectal drug administration in children?
- variable
- it is inconvenient to use
When is typically the best age to use rectal suppositories in children?
- 0-3 years of age
