LJMU scientists develop mini tablet

01 September 2010

Pharmaceutical scientists at LJMU have developed a steroid tablet for more accurate dosing in children.

The research is to be released at the inaugural Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences conference - UK PharmSci 2010 – The Science of Medicine, September 1-3.

The steroid hydrocortisone is commonly used to treat allergic conditions, but also to treat infants and children with serious diseases affecting their adrenal glands.

Oral tablets are only available in adult strengths, so the required dose for children is commonly achieved by breaking up the 10mg tablet.

Pharmaceutical scientists from LJMU completed a successful study to demonstrate that mini tablets containing a (lower) child dose could feasibly be produced on an industrial scale.

LJMU School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science PhD researcher Faiezah Mohamed said that breaking up adult tablets to get the right dose for children was difficult and could lead to inaccurate dosing.

“Mini tablets are usually about 2-3mm in diameter and previous research has shown that they are suitable for children aged between two and six years,” Miss Mohamed said.

“The mini tablets we developed have a significantly better size and weight uniformity compared to breaking up tablets, which improves accuracy of dosing to children.”