Bitter Taste Receptor Blockers for Improving Pediatric Medicine Palatability
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
Yes, participants must not have used any prescription or over-the-counter medications daily or within the last four weeks, except for birth control.
What data supports the effectiveness of flavor additives in improving the palatability of pediatric medicines?
Research shows that adding sodium salts to bitter-tasting medicines can make them taste better and be more acceptable to children, which helps them take their medicine as needed. This suggests that using flavor additives could be an effective way to improve the taste of pediatric medicines and encourage children to take them.12345
Is it safe to use bitter taste receptor blockers in humans?
How does this drug improve the taste of pediatric medicine?
This drug uses bitter taste receptor blockers, which are compounds that interact with the molecular pathway of bitterness to reduce the unpleasant taste of medicines. This approach is unique because it directly targets the taste receptors, making it potentially more effective for improving the palatability of bitter medications, especially for children.12679
What is the purpose of this trial?
Many people, particularly small children, must take drugs in liquid form because they cannot swallow pills or capsules. The bad taste of some liquid drugs can keep patients from taking drugs they need for their health. Our main goal in this research study is find ingredients that might make drugs taste better.Participants in this research study will be healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 60 years old. Participants will taste samples (liquids or gels) containing active pharmaceutical ingredients (substances in medications that produce desired health effects). After tasting each sample participants will spit out the sample and rinse with water (no samples will be swallowed). Active pharmaceutical ingredients of current interest are: 1) tenofovir alafenamide, used to treat HIV infection and hepatitis B, 2) rifampicin, used to treat tuberculosis, 3) rifapentine, used to treat tuberculosis, and 4) levofloxacin, used to treat various bacterial infections). Other active pharmaceutical ingredients may be added as the study goes forward. Participants will be instructed to taste samples both with and without experimental flavor ingredients added and judge how the samples taste. People who volunteer for the study will be instructed to complete many repeated visits to the Monell Center (University City area of Philadelphia) for tasting sessions. Tasting visits will last between 1 and 2 hours.
Research Team
Paul M Wise, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Monell Chemical Senses Center
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for healthy adults aged 18 to 60 who are interested in helping improve the taste of pediatric medicines. Participants will be tasting, but not swallowing, various liquid or gel samples containing active ingredients used in medications like those for HIV and tuberculosis.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Tasting Sessions
Participants taste samples containing active pharmaceutical ingredients with and without experimental flavor ingredients and judge how the samples taste.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for any adverse reactions or changes in taste perception after tasting sessions
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Flavor additives
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Monell Chemical Senses Center
Lead Sponsor
NIAID, Division of AIDS (contract funder)
Collaborator
Advanced Biosciences Laboratories (ABL; primary contract holder)
Collaborator