A Retrospective Study of Oral Medications Compounded for Pediatric Patients at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

A retrospective study of oral medications compounded for pediatric patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital main pharmacy, manufacturing unit, was carried out for the study period January, 2012 to December, 2013. The aim of the study was to characterize compounding involving oral solid dosage form modifications. A total of 392 oral liquid formulations, comprising one (1) of nineteen (19) active pharmaceutical ingredients, were compounded from oral solid dosage forms over the study period. Sildenafil, furosemide and spironolactone suspensions were the most frequently compounded formulations (41.6%, 21.4% and 10.5% respectively). Sildenafil, furosemide and spironolactone suspensions accounted for 74.5% of the total volume of compounded formulations, with suspensions of all other active pharmaceutical ingredients accounting for only 25.5%. All formulations were prepared using syrup simplex B.P. as diluent, packed in white plastic bottles and assigned beyond-use dates of 2 weeks. Apart from sildenafil suspensions which were recommended for storage at 4 - 8 °C, all other formulations were stored at room temperature.