Pediatric Pharmaceutics

Question 1

How is drug absorption different in children compared to adults?

Answer 1

• erratic absorption in children up to 6 years, low gastric acid output in neonates; low pancreatic enzyme activity

Question 2

How is drug distribution different in children compared to adults?

Answer 2

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)

Question 3

How is drug metabolism different in children compared to adults?

Answer 3

• phase 1 reactions (oxidation, for example) are delayed until about 4-6 months of age- metabolic activity declines with the onset of adolescence

Question 4

At what age is renal excretion similar to that of adults?

Answer 4

• 2-6 months

Question 5

___ medications are now not considered to be safe or effective in young children

Answer 5

cough and cold (not safe or effective in young children under 6 y/o)

Question 6

What do we know about drug use in the intrauterine stage of development?

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

We do not really know about the ___ of neonates

Answer 7

ADME (not a lot of products to start off with - the ADME is very complex)

Question 8

What is the understanding of the ADME of infants?

Answer 8

• poor understanding of the ADME of infants
• complex ADME
• direct application
• diagnosis is important

Question 9

What ages does the child age group fall under?

Answer 9

2 and up

Question 10

Peds have _____ absorption

Answer 10

variable/incomplete

Question 11

Peds have _____ metabolism

Answer 11

prolonged/incomplete

Question 12

Peds have ______ elimination

Answer 12

incomplete/variable

Question 13

What is the definition of bioequivalence?

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

What are the sweeteners most commonly used in paediatric pharmaceuticals?

Answer 14

• sucrose
• sorbitol
• mannitol
• saccharin

Question 15

____ is an effective solvent for many compounds

Answer 15

ethanol

Question 16

What else can ethanol be used for?

Answer 16

• as an absorption enhancer
• common in pharmaceutical usage
• esp a problem in young children

Question 17

What is the limit of ethanol use for children under 12

Answer 17

10%

Question 18

What is the limit of ethanol use in children 6-12

Answer 18

5%

Question 19

What is the limit of ethanol use in children under 6 years old

Answer 19

0.5%

Question 20

At what age are children typically able to swallow medication?

Answer 20

• 6 years of age

Question 21

At what age are children typically able to use chewable medication?

Answer 21

• at 3 years they can typically be given

Question 22

If you inject too much solution parenterally, then what happens?

Answer 22

• there is a higher amount of pain

Question 23

If you inject too little solution parenterally, then what happens?

Answer 23

• there is not high enough of a concentration gradient to allow for appropriate absorption

Question 24

If you give a drug via the route of inhalation under the age of 3, what is required?

Answer 24

• need a mask to facilitate the uptake of drug

- over the age of 3 there can medication can typically be inhaled via solution/powder

Question 25

What is the main problem associated with transdermal drug delivery in children?

Answer 25

• there is a large surface area, possibly excess absorption can occur here

Question 26

What is the absorption pattern of rectal drug administration in children?

Answer 26

• variable

- it is inconvenient to use

Question 27

When is typically the best age to use rectal suppositories in children?

Answer 27

• 0-3 years of age